Pigs by Kelsey Wilson

Pigs are exceptionally smart, sociable animals with an

excellent sense of smell.
 What are the inputs necessary for the
growth of pigs?
• Pigs love to eat and they eat lots of food daily. You can use pre-
mixed (commercial) pig feeds for ensuring your pigs have a well
balanced diet.
• Feeds of the growing pigs should contain 16 percent protein, and it
can be reduced as they grow.
• A growing pig can gain about 0.45 kg body weight daily under good
and balanced feeding conditions.
• You can also feed your pigs with some leftovers. Along with their
regular feeding, you can give them scraps as a side dish.
• You can also give them vegetables, meat scraps, fruits, garden
clippings and even spoiled eggs.
• Just ensure that ‘you are not feeding your pigs with only scraps’.
 WHERE ARE PIGS FROM?
• The wild boar is thought to have domesticated pigs
9000 years ago. Originally native to Europe and parts
of Asia, they have been spread to many parts of the
world over the centuries.
.
 Stages of growth process
• The production of pigs can be divided into six
life stages:
1. Breeding/mating: Gilts (female pigs that have
not previously farrowed or given birth) are usually
introduced to boars around 25–28 weeks old. The
boar will often have daily exposure to young gilt's
to ensure they begin their reproductive cycling.
Gilts will then usually be mated at their second
cycle (when they go on heat for the second time).
 Stages of growth process
2. Gestating or dry sows: After the sows and
the dolphins are mated, they are moved to the
dry sow or gestation area of the breeder's sheds
or paddocks. During most of their pregnancy 
they will stay there (approximately 116 days).
3. Farrowing or birth: about a week before
giving birth, they are moved into the farrowing
or birthing sheds or paddocks.
 Stages of growth process
4. Lactation: sows remain in the farrowing
area, nursing their piglets for about 3–5 weeks
until the piglets are weaned.

5. Weaning: After weaning, the sows are returned to

the breeding area. The piglets are moved to weaner
accommodation. The pigs can only be moved into
the weaners once the pens or sheds have been
emptied.
 Stages of growth process
6. Growing/finishing: depending on the farm,
the growing pigs may be moved to other grower
accommodation either on the same farm or a
different facility. This is where the pig will live
until it reaches ‘sale’ weight.
 What are the nutritional values of pigs?
Being high in protein and rich in many vitamins and minerals, pork can be
an excellent addition to a healthy diet. The protein content of lean, cooked
pork is around 26% by fresh weight. When dry, the protein content of lean
pork can be as high as 89% — making it one of the richest dietary sources
of protein. It contains all nine essential amino acids necessary for your
body’s growth and maintenance. In fact, meat is one of the most complete
dietary sources of protein.
• Energy: 2400 – 2600 kcal
• Crude Protein (CP): 18%
• Fat: 3.0%
• Crude Fibre: 3% – 4%
• Calcium (CA): 0.45%
• Phosphorus (P): 0.30%
THE END