Traditional Breeds Meat Marketing (Feeding) Continued
CLICK HERE TO READ THE FIRST PART OF THE ARTICLE
Uploaded September 2004

The top prices paid by the accredited butchers are for pigs with higher back fats than on commercial pigs. However, carcass conformation and lean meat percentage are also very important. The pig feed guide based on the practical experiences of finishers and breeders who regularly produce good conformation pork/bacon pigs for the butchers. No named ration is mentioned as many are not available nationwide. Rations should be sought from compounders who give an "open declaration by ingredient". Some compounders will give "open declaration by commodity" but these may use a "least cost analysis" list of contents that may change as ingredient costs change. Such rations should be avoided if possible. Do not use rations that use minerals or vitamins as growth promoters. Medicated rations should only ever be used when there is a known problem that can be treated via feed. Thus a sow breeder or sow/weaner ration will suffice for rare breed pig production to pork and bacon weights.

For all pigs it is vitally important to provide a clean, dry bedding area, and clean water at all times.

Feeding Breeding Stock
Pigs have a digestive system which is better able to digest fibre and cope with rough foods efficiently. However it is very important to ensure that they also have adequate protein and minerals.

Outdoor pigs: If there is a good grass/clover pasture cover, give a ration of 1 kg (2 lbs) per day of good quality, 17% sow ration, preferably in nut or roll form to avoid waste compared with meal formulations. This will be sufficient from April to late October and for three months of pregnancy. Increase to 1.5 kgs per day (4 lbs) in winter and for the last few weeks of pregnancy. However, do not overfeed in the last 2-3 days before farrowing to avoid over-stocking of the udder.

Indoor pigs: Give l.5 kgs (4 lbs) per day of good sow ration as a maintenance throughout pregnancy.

After farrowing (indoors or outdoors): Sows' milk production increases to a maximum level at 3 weeks after which it falls away quite rapidly. Allow plenty of clean water and feed the sow 2.72kgs (6 Ibs) and 0.22kgs (½ lb) for each piglet to a maximum of 5.5kgs (12 lbs) per day. It is essential that creep rations or sow nuts are available to the piglets in increasing amounts from 2 weeks of age. A spade full of soil placed in the pen each day will help prevent piglet anaemia in indoor pigs.

8 week weaning. Some breeders recommend removing the sow from the piglets. Feed the sow 1kg (2 lbs) per day and increase by .22kg (½ lb) per day until the sow comes back in season. Try to allow for the boar to serve the sow two or three times and after serving, the sow ration should be reduced to a maximum l.5 kgs (4 lbs) per day (indoors) and 1kg (2 lbs) per day (outdoors) as above. Rare breed piglets should not be weaned below 8 weeks unless there is a problem with the sow.

Where waste vegetables or bakery waste (subject to MAFF licence) is available it is very important that sows receive adequate protein during pregnancy.

If boars are run continuously with dry sows then the same ration applies as for the sows. If kept separately it is important not to overfeed so that the boar gets overfat. 1.8-2.5 kgs (4-6 lbs) per day (indoors), 0.8-1.5 kgs (2-4 lbs) per day (outdoors) is adequate.

CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE

Source: Rare Breeds Survival Trust