VZT 65

Laboratory Exercise No. 6

Sow and Litter Management

Guide questions

1. Describe the different methods of feed preparation/processing.

Answer:

Cooking
- As the name implies, it is the process of preparing feed that is cooked using certain
methods for a certain amount of time before it is served for pigs. This could be fruits,
vegetables, etc.. Unlike those of pellets, mash, and crumble this type of food is more prone
to spoilage and should be fed before it is spoiled. A method of feed making which also
utilizes this method is that of garbage feeding, swill or food waste feeding to swine where
food wastes are sterilized before being fed to that of swine.

Fermentation
- This feed preparation method utilizes the process of fermentation where feeds are
made through anaerobic conditions where through the process lactic acid is made from
specific ingredients. It is widely used for piglets, since lactic acid helps to reduce the
stomach’s acidity. Together with gastric acid the lactic acid ensures better digestion and
prevents excessive harmful E-coli and streptococcus bacteria multiplying in the large
intestine. When undigested protein enters the large intestine, it creates a breeding ground
for these bacteria.

Grinding
- As the name implies, grinding is the most common method of feed processing for
the swine producer and nearly all feed ingredients will be subjected to some type of
particle size reduction. Particle size reduction increases the surface area of the grain,
allowing for greater interaction with digestive enzymes, improving feed efficiency

Pelleting, mash, crumble

- The most common form of feed used in the pig industry as it is premade by industries
with complete nutrient content as indicated by brands or the company. It has three forms
mainly pellets, mash, or crumble. Mash being fine particles of feed especially for pre-
starters and starter, crumble for bigger piglets and etc... These feeds can be stored in a dry
place or container as long as no moisture is allowed. This feed also has a longer shelf
lifespan compared to those of other feed prepared in other preparation/ processing
methods.

Soaking
- Soaking is a process of preparation of feed is soaked before it may be given to the
swine. It can also be a preparatory process for cooking and fermenting processes as to
allow the food to be cleansed before preparation.

2. Observe the feeds and feeding management of our local pig farm (UP farm)
3. What are the different feeding practices? Discuss their advantages and
disadvantages.
Answer:

A. Punctuality and regularity

Advantages
- Makes pig more accustomed to feeding time, example of this is that if you feed the pig at
exactly 6 AM and 3 PM and do this in successions for the past next days, the pigs would
memorize this pattern and be ready at that time
- Scheduled time would be more beneficial for later on activities such as when the pig defecates
and when is the appropriate time to clean pen
- Less expensive method as it only needs the caretaker’s initiative of feeding and not use any
machinery
- Pigs can be more monitored in terms of what they eat as caretakers are present as they feed
them ensuring equality of feed distribution
- Ensures that pigs are fed well and in interval that they have adapted with

Disadvantages
 - If the feeding schedule is delayed pig would be stressed leading to less weight gain
- More laborious and should be strictly followed
- More laborious, needs constant strict implementation of when to feed

B. Self-feeding

Advantages
- Feeds are placed in a container and dispenses automatically if the feeds in the trough lessen
as pigs eat
- Less labor for caretakers
- Usually good for pellets, crumble, or mash type of feeds
- Better use for larger farms but not to the point of industrial production

Disadvantages
- May cause uneven growth as some pigs may over eat or under eat, since this type of feeding
method calculates for the exact amount of feed for the total population of the pen. If a pig still
wants to eat it will over eat making those that are last in eating less likely to receive adequate
feeds.

C. Hand-feeding
Advantages
- Ensures that pigs are fed well
- Pigs are checked from time to time or every time food is delivered to them
- Similar advantages of punctuality and regularity of feeding

Disadvantages
- More laborious, needs constant strict implementation of when to feed
- Similar problems to that of punctuality and regularity of feeding

D. Automatic/ computerized
Advantages
- Less labor
- Much easier way of feeding
- Programmable software that times when the pigs are given the adequate amount of feed
- More efficient for large farms
- Much easier paperwork’s as feed consumption is more monitored and computer encoded

Disadvantages
- Expensive
- Needs adequate staff to handle software programing
- Needs constant programing in terms of adding ration
- Caretakers should be well trained in using machinery
- Mistakes in programing would damage efficiency of feeding may cause inability of pigs to
attain adequate feed or may waste feed.
- Expensive maintenance work

4. Formulate simple feed ration for the different classes of pigs.