Feeder floor?

JPiantedosi · #1 02/27/14, 12:21 PM

I have a feeder floor on our place that my father in law used to feed market hogs on. this floor is roughly 40x40 with half of it covered and had a sprinkler system built in. my plan is to raise some pigs this spring and then another batch late summer early fall.

I have corn fines to feed, as well as availability of other grain in a pinch.

Is there anything I should consider before I put pigs on this floor?

Jim

ben70b · #2 02/27/14, 02:04 PM

You gonna need more than just corn fines, pigs need protein and lysene as well. If you are gonna feed pigs out on concrete see of there is a feed mill around and go talk to em about coming up with a ration. See if you can find waste milk somewhere close, that'll help your cause. These are my opinions, I too feed pigs on concrete, a commercial type feed. I've had good luck feeding hogs on feed lots, some will tell u pasture is the only way.

Muleman · #3 02/27/14, 03:39 PM

Now Ben, are you trying to say there is more than one way to raise a pig that works?? But in the end will it still grow up to be a HOG??

Not sure I want to believe that one

I do agree, if all I had were corn fines (not that there is anything wrong with corn in my opinion) I would just want something else to ensure I was meeting all the nutritional and mineral needs of the animal, and I, like Ben am just not sure corn would have all a pig needs.

ben70b · #4 02/27/14, 06:18 PM

Ya, it seems like feeding hogs on concrete is repulsive to some people but it works for my application, and I will promise you two things, I will never get upset about people putting hogs on pasture and I can raise some dang healthy and happy hogs out behind my barn on a feed floor.

HerseyMI · #5 02/28/14, 05:11 AM

If I had a nice setup I wouldn't be concerned about concrete floor. We all use what we have available and get by with it. Some might even wish they had a concrete feedlot... I would if I could afford it.

Corn alone won't work if you want them to live and grow decent.

JPiantedosi · #6 02/28/14, 09:45 AM

I figured the corn with some sort of mineral supplement either free fed or mixed into the corn plus figured on them having hay available though Im not sure if Hay will work. I am just starting my research at the moment, and figure i am 2-3mos from pulling the trigger while a medical issue Im having clears itself up (fractured vertebrea in neck)

Muleman · #7 02/28/14, 09:57 AM

Honestly, if that was the facility I had I would certainly try to make use of it. Look forward to seeing how it works out for you.
I wish you a speedy recovery with your injury. Do not do as I did. Years ago I hurt my neck in an accident, I was young and thought nothing of it and did not go to the doctor. I could not move my head for about a week. Eventually it got to the point I could not make it through the day without pain medication, so I went to a chiropractor who took x-rays. I had a vertebrae way over to one side. He said if I had come in as soon as it happened it could have been fixed no big deal, but now years later scar tissue was holding it out of place. I only say this to point out the importance of taking care of your problem now, do not put it off or rush recovery over a pig.

JPiantedosi · #8 02/28/14, 12:14 PM

Yeah no worries, This time I am going to go about exactly what the doc says, but while I am at it I will be doing my research so when I do hit the ground it will be running. I got rid of my cows a little late this year so no calves. Ill have to make up my time playing with pigs.

Jim