How to Choose the Most Suitable Feed Type for Pig Needs

In the modern breeding industry, there are many types of pig feed. With the continuous advancement of breeding technology, the shape and formula of feed are also constantly changing. Correct selection of pig feed can not only improve breeding efficiency, but also ensure the healthy growth and production performance of pig. This article will analyze how to choose feed suitable for pigs at different stages around the different types of pig feed, helping farmers improve feed utilization efficiency and reduce production costs.

Types of Pig Feed

Currently, pig feed on the market is mainly divided into several forms, including pelleted feed, coarse feed, and block feed. Different feed types are suitable for different farming scenarios and pig needs. The following are the characteristics of the three main feed forms:

Pellet Feed

Pellet feed is the most common form of pig feed, which presses powdered feed into small pellet through special equipment. The advantage of granular feed is that it is easy to store and transport, and pigs can only avoid picky food, ensuring that they are intake of the required nutrients. Especially during the fattening period, pellet feed can significantly increase the feed conversion rate of pigs and reduce waste.

Meal Feed

Meal feed consists of larger particles or powdered material, making it suitable for larger pigs and simpler feeding equipment. However, because pigs tend to waste meal when consuming meal feed, it is not suitable for floor or outdoor feeding environments. For finishing pigs, meal feed is generally a more cost-effective option.

Block feed

Block feed is relatively rare and is mainly used in some special breeding needs. It is often used to ensure that pigs can only eat food slowly, thereby controlling their appetite and appetite, especially at farms under certain management.

How to Choose the Right Pig Feed

When choosing a suitable feed type, factors such as the age, body shape, feed feeding equipment and breeding environment of the pig must be comprehensively considered. Here are some common choice guides:

Choosing Feed Based on Pig Age and Size

Pigs only have different nutritional needs at different growth stages. Newborn piglets need particularly fine pelleted feed to ensure they can absorb enough nutrients in a short period of time. The particle size of the pellet feed should be moderate, and too large or too small will affect its edible effect. As the pigs grow, the proportion of coarse flour feed can be gradually increased, especially during the fattening stage.

Considering Feeding Equipment

If pigs feed ad libitum on the floor or outdoors, meal or mash feed can result in significant waste. Pelleted feed, due to its compact size, allows pigs to eat more easily, reducing waste. In some centralized feeding environments, pellets or block feed can be used as needed.

Economic Efficiency and Cost

Pig farming companies pay great attention to feed costs, especially pellet feed. Although it can improve feed conversion rate, its production costs are also relatively high. Therefore, when selecting feed, a breeding enterprise should consider the balance between cost and effect, especially when using by-products. Although by-products such as wheat semolina and dry wine lees can reduce some costs, too large proportion will affect the quality of the feed, so they should be used with caution.

Particle Size and Quality in Feed Processing

The particle size and quality of pig feed will directly affect the nutritional value of the feed and the pig’s growth performance. The quality of pellet feed is generally judged by the pellet durability index (PDI), which mainly measures the wear resistance and stability of feed particles.

Effect of Particle Size on Feed Efficiency

Studies have shown that the particle size of feed raw materials has a significant impact on feed digestion and absorption and pig growth. Reducing the feed particle size, especially when the particle size is less than 400 microns, can improve the digestibility of pigs and improve the feed conversion rate. However, too small particle size may increase the risk of gastric ulcer, so the fineness of the particles should be reasonably controlled.

Feed Quality Control

The quality of pellet feed is not only affected by the particle size of the raw material, but also related to the feed formula, processing method, temperature, etc. If the temperature is too high, some nutrients will be destroyed, affecting the nutrition of the feed. The granules contain too much fine powder and can also affect pigs’ appetite and growth performance. Therefore, it is important to control the processing technology and ensure the quality of the particles.

Application of By-products in Pig Feed

By-products are an important part of modern pig feed and can help reduce costs. Such as dry wine lees, wheat semolina and corn by-products, they can be used as feed raw materials. But be careful to control their mass and proportions, otherwise it may affect the digestibility of the feed and the growth of pig.

By-products Affecting Pellet Quality

For example, by-product feed with a fat content of more than 7% may not be suitable for making pellet feed, because too high fat will lead to poor bonding of the particles, affecting the durability and digestibility of the particles. Likewise, by-products with excessive fiber content may hinder the production of particles.

How to Utilize By-Products

To ensure that by-products do not affect the quality of feed, manufacturers must match them reasonably and pretreat them if necessary. For example, adding some high-fiber raw materials such as wheat semolina will help improve the stability of the particles and avoid problems in production.

Conclusion

Choosing the right pig feed is the key to improving breeding benefits. Although pellet feed is expensive, it can greatly improve the feed conversion rate and is especially suitable for the fattening stage. Coarse powder feed and by-products can effectively reduce costs, but be careful to choose and match. No matter which feed it is, controlling the processing technology, particle quality and raw material ratio can ensure the healthy growth and breeding benefits of pig.

When choosing pig feed, farmers need to make appropriate decisions based on the pig needs, feed cost and quality. Through scientific management of feed, it can not only improve the growth performance of pigs, but also bring higher profits to breeding companies.