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Feeding pigs – what’s best for your pigs?
Current as of 23 April 2015
Pigs are omnivores and eat a range of different foods. It is important to
know what you can and cannot feed to pigs to ensure that they grow well
and stay healthy. Pig diets should mainly consist of grain, but they can
also eat smaller amounts of fruits, vegetables and other approved pig
feeds. It is vital that you do not feed pigs swill.
Swill feeding – what it is and why it is illegal
The feeding of swill to pigs is illegal. Swill is anything that:
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contains meat, meat products or any other products from mammals
has been in contact with meat, meat products or any other products from
mammals.
Swill includes food scraps from food outlets or your own kitchen that may contain or
have had contact with meat or other products from mammals. If caught feeding swill
to a pig, you may face prosecution.
Meat and processed meat products such as salami, while completely safe for
humans to eat, can carry exotic animal diseases, such as foot-and-mouth disease.
An introduction of an exotic disease could result in tremendous animal suffering and
would have a significant impact on the economy.
There are some approved commercial pig feeds that consist of meatmeal, blood
meal and tallow, but these have undergone specified processes to kill any viruses
that may cause disease. If you decide to use one of these products make sure it
states clearly on the label that it is an approved pig feed.
Your pig’s nutrition requirements
When feeding pigs it is important to consider their nutritional requirements as there is
no such thing as a ‘standard’ diet. The nutritional requirements are often simplified
and described as a requirement for energy and protein. Protein requirement is often
described as lysine requirement. Lysine is an important amino acid that indicates the
quality of protein in terms of the pig’s needs.
Supporting your success
It is important to meet the protein requirements of your pig. Supplying commercial
feed is the easiest way of doing this.
The pig’s nutritional requirements for optimal and healthy growth change and are
influenced by factors such as:
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age and body weight. A weaner/young pig requires a diet higher in protein and
energy than does a finisher pig or an adult pig.
genetic potential. Fast growing breeds (e.g. Large White, Landrace, Duroc)
require more protein in their diet than breeds that do not grow as fast (e.g.
Berkshire, Hampshire).
housing environment. For example, if pigs are in a cold or hot environment
(outdoors during winter or summer), they will use more energy just to stay warm
or cool, and so to maintain growth, higher levels of energy in the diet will be
required.
physiological state of the pig. A pregnant sow will have different energy and
nutritional requirements to a sow that is feeding piglets, or a young pig that is
growing rapidly.
There are a range of manufactured complete feeds available from stockfeed
suppliers formulated to meet the requirements of different types of pigs. Feed
companies, stockfeed manufacturers or private consultants can also assist with
formulating manufactured diets according to your (and your pig’s) particular needs.
Feed ingredients
Pigs are monogastric (single stomach) animals and do not digest fibre efficiently
(only 50% efficiency depending on type of fibre and age of pigs). They are not suited
to eating pasture alone and need supplementary feeding.
It is recommended that pigs receive a complete (manufactured) diet or a homemixed diet that has been formulated to meet the pig’s needs. Cereal grains are a
good feed source although they are best utilised by the pig if they have been
cracked, rolled or soaked.
The major ingredients used by the Western Australian pig industry are wheat, barley
and lupins, but other grains such as peas, canola meal and triticale are also used.
The crude protein content of grains can vary considerably between seasons and
source so it is important to be wary if using apparently low-cost ingredients as they
may be of inferior quality (e.g. weather damaged cereals).
Pigs are omnivores and so will eat a range of foods. If mixing your own feed, to
produce a well-balanced diet you can include a range of other ingredients in smaller
amounts (e.g. fruit, vegetables, fishmeal, soybean meal, minerals, vitamins, salt,
limestone). It is a good idea to consult a pig nutritionist prior to formulating your own
pig feed.
Water
Fresh water should be available at all times and accessible to all pigs (including
piglets). The water supply should be cool (maximum 18-20°C). Supply lines should
be buried or insulated particularly if they are black poly pipe outside in the full sun;
otherwise the water is hot and undrinkable when it is most needed.
If nipple drinkers are used, check that the water pressure coming through the
drinkers is suitable for the age group of pigs to allow sufficient water intake. As a
guide: 0.5 litres per minute for piglets and weaners, 1.0L/min for growing pigs and
dry sows and 2.0L/min for lactating sows.
Contact
Ashley Jordan
+61 (0)8 9690 2168
Email Ashley Jordan
References
Information sheet: An introduction to pig production in Western Australia. Compiled
by Jody Ranford and John Noonan, WA Department of Agriculture July, 1996;
(updated September 2009)
Jayce Morgan (2013). A diet fit for a pig: seven basic rules. June 2013, Primefact
1292, 1st edition. Department of Primary Industries New South Wales.
http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/agriculture/livestock/pigs/pig-nutrition/pig-diet
Important disclaimer
The Chief Executive Officer of the Department of Agriculture and Food and the State of
Western Australia accept no liability whatsoever by reason of negligence or otherwise arising
from the use or release of this information or any part of it.
Copyright © Western Australian Agriculture Authority, 2014