gilts vs. barrows

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swi
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gilts vs. barrows

Post by swi » Thu Apr 19, 2018 9:44 pm

I was looking on input on the protein levels for young (under 100 lbs. right now) gilts verses barrows.

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Re: gilts vs. barrows

Post by kgb » Sun Apr 22, 2018 10:13 pm

Under 100 lbs there is little difference in nutrient requirements for barrows vs gilts.

However, it's not protein content that is important but rather lysine % of the feed.
Dr. Kevin Burgoon
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Re: gilts vs. barrows

Post by swi » Mon Apr 23, 2018 9:20 pm

Our gilts are 95 to 120 pounds now. Could you elaborate more on the lysine levels please.

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Re: gilts vs. barrows

Post by kgb » Tue Apr 24, 2018 6:59 am

The following is a post I made in the general NUTRITION section regarding protein vs lysine:

It's really not protein that you should be concerned with, but Lysine. And energy (calories). Lowering protein by itself doesn't soften pigs. Lowering protein % in the feed, means lowering the protein ingredients (like soybean meal). And, when this happens something needs to take it's place (usually corn). So, as the protein comes down, the energy goes up. And again it's not protein that makes the difference it's lysine and other essential amino acids.

To explain, protein is composed of two kinds of amino acids; indispensable and dispensable (also called essential and nonessential). The difference is this; the pig either cannot synthesize indispensable amino acids or cannot synthesize them in sufficient quantities to meet the pig's daily requirement for them. So, for indispensable and or essential amino acids we must provide them in the diet everyday.

The problem is that with various types of feedstuffs used in feeds, we don't know how much of that protein is indispensable and how much is dispensable. So, the best next measure (actually a MUCH better measure) of indispensable amino acids is Lysine.

Another way to more accurately add energy (calories) AND lower protein if you want to look at it like that is to add fat to the diet. Here's an example (and forgive me for using Purina products, but I am very familiar with those):

Say, we are feeding 709 with is an 18% crude protein feed (1.1% lysine) and 6.5% crude fat. High Octane Heavy Weight contains 8% protein and 70% fat. So we are feeding 6 lbs per day 709. This results in the pig getting 18% protein and 6.5% fat. If we substitute 1 lb Heavy Weight for 1 lb 709 we get:

5 lb/day 709 which = 15% protein (5 lb 709/6 lb total) X 18% protein = 15%
1 lb/day Heavy Weight = 1.33% protein (1 lb HW/6 lb total) X 8% protein = 1.33%
Total crude protein = 16.33% (lowered from 18%)

Also:
5 lb/day 709 = 5.42% fat (5 lb/6 lb) X 6.5% fat = 5.42%
1 lb/day Heavy Weight = 11.67% fat (5 lb/1 lb) X 70% fat = 11.67%
Total crude fat = 17.09% fat (which is a HUGE jump from 6.5% by the way, and why if you don't start slowly at 4 oz per day, and increase at about 4 oz per day every 3-4 days, you knock pigs off feed).

Anyway, sorry for the length. But, the lysine content would be:

5 lb/day 709 = 24.95 grams lysine
1 lbday HW = 2.3
= 27.25 grams/day lysine

From 6 lbs 709 = 29.94 grams/day lysine
Dr. Kevin Burgoon
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Re: gilts vs. barrows

Post by ddwil » Tue May 01, 2018 7:14 am

what lysine level should be in the feed if I am feeding 50-100 lb pigs and how much total feed should I be feeding them per day?

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Re: gilts vs. barrows

Post by kgb » Sun May 06, 2018 6:06 pm

It really depends upon the pig. Very heavily muscled pigs probably need 0.8 to 0.9 % lysine. Moderate muscled pigs need 1.0 to 1.1%.

Pigs weighing between 40 and 100 lbs will eat about 5% of their bodyweight per day. After they reach 100 lbs it's energy density of the feed that determines voluntary feed intake. On HONOR Show Chow feeds, I recommend:

100 - 150 lbs 5.5 to 6 lbs per day
150 lbs to show 6 lbs per day
Dr. Kevin Burgoon
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http://www.PurinaMills.com/Show-Feed
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If you have the power to do good for someone...use it. Proverbs 3:27

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Re: gilts vs. barrows

Post by ddwil » Tue May 08, 2018 7:10 am

Ok, one, how do you get to the total number of grams of lysine that you are showing? Secondly, how much lysine does a 50-100 pound pig need and conversely a 100-150 lb pig and so on?

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Re: gilts vs. barrows

Post by LzDy » Tue May 08, 2018 4:30 pm

ddwil what brand of feed are you feeding? are you trying or mixing/grinding your own feed?

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