what to feed 4 h pigs

4H Project Guide: Swine Nutrition 1

• Ingredients Needed. Swine rations, whether bought or mixed on the farm, usually contain a ground cereal grain, a protein source (usually soybean meal), salt, a calcium source, a phosphorus source, ...
• Choice of Cereal Grains. ...
• Swine Rations. ...
• Methods of Getting Swine Rations. ...
• Further Information. ...

Full Answer

How much weight should I Feed my hogs?

With your end goal in mind of marketing your hogs at your county fair or show, do simple math before selecting your pigs. For example, if you have 125 days to feed your pigs, it will be best to start your project with pigs that weigh around 50 pounds (125 x 1.6 pounds per day = 200 pounds gain; 50 pounds + 200 pounds gain = 250-pound market hog).

How much will my 4-H project Pig grow?

Many times, 4-H project pigs will gain over 2 pounds per day because they often have more desirable genetics, are raised in small groups and receive more individualized attention. One factor that will help in determining how much and how efficiently your market hog project will grow is looking at the feed efficiency value.

What do you feed your pigs?

All left over people food you can get (NOT MEAT) feed them, take way the all the time feeder feed them up to 3x a day. Pig's need competition to feed well, the corn meal and oil is a good idea but easy on the oil because of will give them the ****s and you don't want that.

How do you choose a 4-H hog?

Hog selection takes place at many locations, including judging contests. Even with winter weather sticking around, many youth across the state begin looking for their 4-H hog project animal. Caring for a hog requires forward thinking and creating a plan of how to see your project through to the end.

What do you feed a show pig?

per day is an excellent choice, as well as High Octane® Fitter® 52 pig feed which is more aggressive at 1 lbs./day for the final 14 days. For help with appetite, adding more calories to the pig's diet and optimizing fat cover, High Octane® Heavy Weight® pig feed does a very nice job.

What do you feed pigs to grow fast?

As an energy source, choose a grain mix of barley, wheat, sorghum and corn for your pig's diet. At least half the mix should be number two yellow corn. Though low in protein, it is considered a primary energy source in pig diets. It is also one of the most economical feedstuffs available for swine production.

What is the best feed to give pigs?

Good pig feed contains sufficient energy, protein, minerals and vitamins. Rice bran, broken rice, maize, soya-beans, cassava, vegetables and distillers' residues are often used in pig feed. Distillery waste is much appreciated in traditional pig husbandry, especially for pigs.

How can I get my 4-H pig to gain weight?

Increasing show pig feed intake Purina® High Octane® Heavy Weight™ supplement does a great job of getting the pig to eat more feed. Pigs like the taste and do well on it. You can feed it dry mixed into the regular feed, or add water and “slop” the pig. Feed four to eight oz.

What is the cheapest feed for pigs?

Corn is a cheaper food for your pigs too. Some people snub it because it is fattening for them, but they love it, and it keeps them fed. You can either feed them whole kernel corn or soak the corn in water overnight and feed it to them in a slop form. This will fill in every wrinkle they have.

Is Whole corn good for pigs?

self fed to growing finishing swine (from 50 pounds to market weight). An alternative feeding method for these hogs would be to feed whole, shelled corn and a complete protein vitamin mineral supplement free choice.

What should you not feed pigs?

It's ok to feed pigs uncontaminated fruits, vegetables, bread, grains, dairy, eggs, and vegetable oils. Do not feed pigs meat, fish, or their bones, oils, or juices, or ANY food that has touched these substances.

How much grain should a pig eat per day?

1. The average amount that your pig will grow each day is between 1.7 and 2.0 pounds. 2. The average amount of feed your pig will consume each day is between 5 and 7 pounds per day.

What are the 3 type of feeds for swine?

There are three main types of liquid feeding systems: 1) Mixing high moisture ingredients to create a complete diet; 2) Remixing a dry complete diet with water; and 3) Feeding a liquid ingredient in addition to a dry complete feed.

Is chicken manure good for pigs?

Dried poultry manure, produced locally by sterilization and drying, was evaluated as an addition to a conventional diet, at levels of 10, 20 and 30%, for growing pigs from 23 to 85 kg live weight. The 32 pigs remained healthy and the dried manure had no apparent adverse effect on the carcasses.

What does barley do for show pigs?

Feeding high-barley diets to finisher pigs can improve pork quality attributes compared with feeding corn. Barley has a lower fat and linoleic acid content than corn, resulting in firmer pork fat.

Is molasses good for pigs?

It can be concluded therefore that "A" molasses is a satisfactory substitute for rice by-products in growing pig diets in terms of performance, and its use is economically advantageous during the sugar harvesting season in southern Vietnam.

What are the best vegetables to feed to pigs?

Safe veggies include broccoli, cauliflower, lima beans, green beans, sweet potatoes, corn, peas, edamame, peppers and zucchini. Don't feed your pig too much broccoli or cauliflower, however, since they can cause bloating and gas. Two or three times a week, you might want to include eggs in the pigs' food.

What do farmers feed pigs?

The bulk of their diet comes from corn and soybeans. Corn provides energy and soybeans provide protein. They also eat other grains like wheat and sorghum. Farmers may add supplements to ensure their hogs get necessary nutrients.

How much grain should a pig eat per day?

1. The average amount that your pig will grow each day is between 1.7 and 2.0 pounds. 2. The average amount of feed your pig will consume each day is between 5 and 7 pounds per day.

What is the main food of a pig?

Water is the central part of a pig’s diet. One-half to two-thirds of its body weight is water . Access to clean drinking water is essential to a pig’s growth rate. Newly weaned pigs are especially prone to dehydrate. However water is supplied, water devices must be sanitized and properly positioned.

How much weight do pigs gain?

With a proper diet, expect weight gains of about 1.5 to 1.7 pounds per day up to approximately 110 pounds.

What is the most important part of swine production?

The most important part of swine production is in knowing the correct way to feed pigs. Whether browsing through a piglet feeding guide or studying swine management techniques, pigs need a high energy diet that is low in fiber that contains ample protein. Pigs will consume enormous amounts of food quickly.

Why is it important to keep pigs cool in summer?

If, for example, temperatures are too cold, a pig will feed more but expend more energy to stay warm, resulting in slow growth. Hot weather can lead to heat stress and reduce feed consumption (and can possibly lead to death), so it is important to keep livestock cool in summer. Consequently, growth and mature rates slow, conception rates fall, and pig flow is reduced, disrupting stock levels. Depending on the season, keep buildings well-ventilated or heated, and provide adequate air space within the pen to ensure pig growth and production rates are maintained.

Why are pigs important?

Pig temperature requirements are important to growth and production . Pigs are a highly adaptable animal and can perform well within a range of temperatures. However, temperatures too low or too high can have adverse effects on stock.

What foods slow down growth?

Fish. Meat. Fruits. Potatoes. Foods high in sugars can slow growth rates while milk, meats, and fish can harbor viruses. Pits and seeds of apples, pears, apricots and peaches contain a naturally occurring substance called amygdalin which is a cyanogenic glycoside that is released when chewed causing illness, discomfort, or even death.

How to raise and maintain a healthy stock?

To raise and maintain a healthy stock, maximize growth and reproduction, and increase production, it is necessary to feed them the right food and a balanced diet from wean to finish.

How to select a pig for a fair?

When selecting a pig, you need to envision what you believe the pig will look like when they have reached the proper amount of finish, or fat cover, and weigh 250 to 290 pounds. This is the most desirable market weight and along with your fair or exhibition rules, what you should be shooting for in regards to final weight at fair.

How much weight can a hog gain?

Healthy pigs will gain 1.5 to 1.8 pounds per day if fed properly. Many times, 4-H project pigs will gain over 2 pounds per day because they often have more desirable genetics, are raised in small groups and receive more individualized attention. One factor that will help in determining how much and how efficiently your market hog project will grow is looking at the feed efficiency value. The feed efficiency value measures the amount of feed a pig requires to gain 1 pound. A feed efficiency value of 3.5 means a pig had to eat 3.5 pounds of feed to increase its body weight by 1 pound. A low feed efficiency value is more desirable.

How are swine projects selected?

Swine projects are usually selected in one of two ways: purchased or chosen from the individuals or families herd. Here are a few items to keep in mind when selecting your swine project.

What is feed efficiency value?

The feed efficiency value measures the amount of feed a pig requires to gain 1 pound. A feed efficiency value of 3.5 means a pig had to eat 3.5 pounds of feed to increase its body weight by 1 pound. A low feed efficiency value is more desirable. With your end goal in mind of marketing your hogs at your county fair or show, ...

What are the divisions of swine?

These divisions include gender (gilts versus barrows), breed (Berkshire, Chester White, Duroc, Hampshire, Landrace, Poland China, Spotted, Yorkshire, etc. verses crossbred) and weight (lightweight, middleweight, heavyweight). Although these divisions are determined at the fair, it is a good idea to target a specific division in which you would like to compete.

Can you select a pig for exhibition?

With decisions made about the weight, age and divisions desired for exhibition, you can now select a pig. Using the criteria listed above and your previous knowledge, you are ready to enjoy the experience of selecting your animal project. The Michigan Pork Producers Association has a list of private treaty seller and auctions that will be helpful in locating swine project animals.

Do pigs stay in their frame size?

Additionally, select pigs that will stay within their frame size and skeletal design when they reach their proper finishing weight. Otherwise, the hog may become unsound and this will affect its overall performance.

Best Feed Program for 4-h pigs

We are taking the best pick of the two pigs we chose for our August 9th Fair. As of June 22, The tri-cross gilt weighs 205lb and the barrow tri-cross is 200lb. Our goal is 270 for the weigh in on Aug 9th. We are 46 days out.

Re: Best Feed Program for 4-h pigs

The barrow is gaining 1 lb per day. The guilt is gaining 2 lbs per day. We are separating them and letting the barrow eat as much as he wants now and feeding 5 lbs of feed and all you can eat beet pulp to the guilt.

Re: Best Feed Program for 4-h pigs

I have been using purina start to finish and then honor show chow 709 and our pigs have gained so well that they have been on limited feed for 1 month and our shows are 32 days 52 days and 64 days out. For the last 20 years probably i have used champion hog but the last few years we have had trouble making weight so i decided to switch altogether.

How much does a pig cost?

It is common to see pigs range from $100 to even a few thousand dollars per pig . However, do not pay a high price for a pig with the idea that this alone will assure you of a winning champion. A grand champion takes a good feeding program and a lot of hard work, along with the right kind of pig and good showmanship skills.

What is the Michigan Pork Producers Association?

The Michigan Pork Producers Association has a list of private treaty seller and auctions that will be helpful in planning. As a reminder for any swine project, it is important to use good biosecurity practices such as always changing clothes and shoes before visiting swine farms.

What is the best feed for pigs?

HONOR ® Show FIRST WEAN™ 319 or 519 pig feed, medicated with 35 grams/ton Denagard ® is a very good choice for receiving pigs. This medication offers support for respiratory health and the gut immune system.

What should a pig pen be free of?

The pen should be free of items that might cause injury and subsequently impact the movement and soundness of your pig. All of these things impact how the pig utilizes the feed that is offered, and ultimately how the pig expresses the genetic – nutrition interaction.

How does a show pig get Grand Champion?

This may shock some of you, but it takes way more than nutrition for the pig to find its way to being named Grand Champion. It takes a combination of nutrition, genetics, management, and health to get the most out of your showpig project , each playing a vital, equal role. The following will look at a few of the things that will play a huge role in how your show pig responds to nutrition.

How do pigs trust you?

When the pig associates you with feed, it begins to trust you. Pigs are like most creatures, they need to learn that you are not going to do them harm. Self-feeding can also be effective. The important thing is to spend time with your pig regardless of how you plan to deliver the feed.

What are the factors that influence how a pig is fitted for show?

There are many factors that influence how a pig is fitted for show. Some of these are: Genetic road map. Environment. Management level. Health status.

Why is water important for pigs?

Water is extremely important to how the pig expresses its genetic potential, and how feed is utilized. Water is directly related to feed intake. If you find that your pig is not eating or growing well, look at the water source first. Water should be clean, fresh and abundant at all times. If the water is too cold during cool months, or too warm during warm months your pig will not eat correctly and will not fully express its genetic road map.

How old do show pigs look?

Modern showpigs usually look their best at about 6 to 6 ½ months of age. So, when purchasing your pigs select appropriate aged pigs. Feed with the show ring in mind. From the start, try to picture what you desire your pig to look like on show day. And, feed to that end.

How to feed to win?

If you want to feed to win, you need to feed a show feed. Wether it is a grind and mix or prepared pellet. They will pack on the weight. Check the protien level in your ration. Find out who makes the additive and see if they have a nutritionist you can talk too.

Do we feed honor products?

We feed the HONOR products and always end up having to hold the pigs.