Feeding

Failure to provide the correct ration in the manner appropriate to the particular stage of pig will have an adverse effect on performance. On units this can be seen as deterioration in growth rate, feed efficiency, carcase quality and reproductive performance. It can also leave the pigs more susceptible to health problems and vices. This portal provides information on all aspects of nutrition for the various stages of pig.

Creep Feeding - Creep intake is infuluenced by palatability method presentation, diet form sow milk yield and composition, age of pig environment, health, vigour of pigs and availability of water.

Feeders for weaners - A summary of the research carried out at the Agri-Food and Bioscience Division on the optimum feeder type commercially available for weaned pigs.

Feed Conversion - Feed conversion efficiency is one of the main yardsticks to measure the performance of finishing pigs. It is defined as the number of kgs of feed required to produce one kg of liveweight gain.

Stotfold Feeding Scale - Litter weaning weights of 80 kg at 24 days are being achieved on the MLC Stotfold Pig Unit with sows fed to the scale. Similar weaning weights have also been achieved on farms in Northern Ireland using the feeding scale for lactating sows.