PBP Nutrition

Tam319 · #1 02/09/07, 11:08 AM

What do you guys feed your pbps to keep them from becoming too fat? We've been feeding regular hog grower because the pbp specific feed is $$$ and they seem to get pretty chunky on it.

Also, can you run your regular breed sows with your pbp sows on pasture?

Thanks,

marvella · #2 02/09/07, 04:15 PM

in winter i feed about 3 cups of hog finisher, with about 3 cups of various veggies per pig. in summer they get about 1 1/2 cups of feed and free range the rest. they have topped out at around 150#, at 3 and 4 years old. they are wormed with ivermectin quarterly and are in very good condition, imo.

farm mom · #3 02/09/07, 09:21 PM

I stopped feeding grower ration after 8 months old or so. I feed them a maintenance hog feed now that has lower protein. Also, make sure you aren't feeding too much. About 1-3 cups a day, depending on size. Measure it out if you aren't, it is much less than it looks. Veggies and popcorn (no butter and salt) are good low fat tummy fillers. Remember pot bellies (well, all pigs) always seem hungry but don't give in!!

Rogo · #4 02/09/07, 10:52 PM

The potbelly feed I've seen here has the same protein as the hog feed - 16%. At a different feed store, both are 20% protein. Didn't have time to check out the ingredients.

Pigs that have room to roam and aren't confined don't hang around the feeder and constantly eat. At least mine haven't.

Tam319 · #5 02/10/07, 03:21 PM

Is hog finisher higher or lower in protein and fat than grower? I have been steering clear of the finisher thinking it would cause my sows to become Goodyear Blimps. LOL Thanks for the tips on tummy filling! I have read that a handful of rolled oats thrown around on the ground helps keep them busy and think they are getting more of a snack as well. I've been feeding hog grower at a rate of about 4 cups to my adults (they are about 150# and holding) because its so freaking cold here in winter and they winter outside in straw bale huts (which they have mostly demolished). I would like to find a maintenance ration. That sounds interesting. What do you feed your breeding stock when they are preggo or lactating?

Also, I've read that PBPs have different mineral demands than "regular pigs" and require the specific PBP ration. I think thats a load of hooey and just a scam to get ppl to buy the $ PBP feed. Do regular hog rations cover all bases for minerals etc?

Thanks!

marvella · #6 02/10/07, 05:15 PM

i can't say about how the two feeds compare. the feeder ration makes them grow, and you really don't want that, i don't think. i don't breed mine, so can't answer the other question either. sorry.

but adding vegetables keeps them well fed so they don't fill up on commercial feed, keeps their gut moving well during times they might be laid up keeping warm. my gilt pretty much hibernates in the winter and is prone to getting constipated.) i usually clean out the rack of "use by today" vegetables at the store.

Tam319 · #7 02/10/07, 11:29 PM

I guess my reasoning was that grower ration is designed to support the development of the frame whereas the finisher ration would be designed to encourage marbling and laying down of intermuscular fat. I guess in my mind that translates into the grower being a less "hot" feed than the finisher. I will have to do my homework and check the exact % of things. I would love to feed veggies or pasture but we live in Alberta where its snowy for a good part of the year so the pigs must eat their icky storebought feed and dream of greener pastures. LOL

Rogo · #8 02/11/07, 06:30 AM

I've been fooling around for the heck of it and looking at the ingredients of pig feed. I bet that a diet of eggs and hay would cover it. The DE would take care of the needed minerals, even tho the eggs have quite a few. The way my hens pump out eggs all year around got me thinking about it. Don't know if I'd be brave enough to try it.

dezeeuwgoats · #9 02/11/07, 12:56 PM

Rogo - be brave!

I've raised eight pigs without a single bag of commercially prepared 'hog' rations.......they have all been delicious! (feeder pigs) I have fed my gilt this way - and she has a 'gentleman caller' right now. (pb gentleman!) So, soon I will be feeding a pregnant gilt, and eventually a nursing mother, and babies this way.

I don't think the countries where pb's originated fed commercial rations either, lol.

If you figured out the chickens, I'll bet you can tackle this diet too!

Niki