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Late born pigs how to push weight gain early

Posted: Sun Apr 07, 2019 11:26 pm
by abelkrista
Pigs born later than wanted and will be 5.5 months at showtime. Would like to push their weight gain early so they are at an avg/simiar weight to rest of pigs at first weigh in (3.5 months prior to the kid's fair).

If I feed the 319 longer rather than going to 519 and 719 will they gain faster? (my local feed store can't get 219, he said it wasn't available when he goes I to make his orders)
US it too early to start the high octane supplements like Heavy weight?

We will not wean them until 28 (or possibly 35 days if sow will allow) and have creep out now.

Re: Late born pigs how to push weight gain early

Posted: Tue Apr 09, 2019 11:12 am
by kgb
I couldn't tell from your post, but it appears you haven't weaned the pigs as yet. You can feed 319 as long as you need to. I suggest feeding it until the pigs are about 50 lbs then transition to 719.

I don't suggest feeding Heavy Weight right now (unless absolutely needed....sow died, pigs are struggling etc....). The feeds by themselves are plenty of nutrition. Once the pigs get to about 80 lbs you can start adding 4 oz per day Heavy Weight. Then at 100 lbs increase Heavy Weight to 8 oz per day.

You can increase again once the pigs get to 150 lbs or so to 12 oz per day Heavy Weight. Typically, when you feed more than 12 oz per day the pig meets it's energy needs quickly and eats less total feed per day. So, 12 oz is a happy medium where you can maximize feed intake and get needed calories into the pig.

If the pigs are healthy and you deworm every month (about every 30 days) they might not get to 280 lbs, but they should be plenty heavy for your show.

Re: Late born pigs how to push weight gain early

Posted: Wed Apr 10, 2019 9:51 pm
by abelkrista
Thank you KGB this is helpful . No we have not weaned. Just started creep feeding and will wean in 2 to 3 weeks.