wet feed vs dry feed

porcine · Post by **porcine** » Tue Jul 10, 2012 8:27 pm

I have been dry feeding for the last 10 years and have been very sucessful in getting the right finish and weight desired, we use HSC feeds. I just started my first attempt at wet/slop feeding as I have a much younger group of feeders than in the past. My question is regarding the weight gain and finish, is most of the gain in weight a tribute to the water or other liquids added and does much of that water get excreted out. Is the weight gain and finish the same as if you dry fed? I noticed that when i fed the usuall amount of feed and added the water to make a slop, all 4 feeders finished the feed, but i did notice more of a fuller stomach than what i have seen when they consumed the mix dry. Over an extended period of say 3 to 4 weeks, could wet feeding cause more of a bigger belly due to the strech of the stomach walls due to the extra fluid? I am probably over analyzing, i am out of my comfort zone here. Any advice would be appreaciated, both the pro's and cons of wet feeding. Thanks

ASU_Swine · Post by **ASU_Swine** » Tue Jul 10, 2012 10:18 pm

when you slop the feed I would like to think that they will look "full" you take 2.5 lb of feed and add an entire gallon of water (example) thats an additional 6 to 8 pounds round about added to the feeding alone. Everyone has their own do's and dont's but the main thing to do is find what works for you.......

mtbkmom · Post by **mtbkmom** » Wed Jul 11, 2012 12:42 pm

I was amazed at what wet slopping our pigs did. Maybe they are ADHD by nature, but when dry fed...they would eat...go run get water...come back...get more water..and then Maybe come back. Wet feed...they put their nose into it and don't come out till it's gone.

Actually..no evidence base information on hand, but the larger volume I would imagine would stretch the stomach more, which would stretch the rib cage a little more and just develop the mid/center to the end portion of rib a little more especially if you are doing this while they are rapidly growing. Then you could probably finish them with a "bigger" appearance before stepping into the ring...just speculation about the rib/stomach part.

porcine · Post by **porcine** » Wed Jul 11, 2012 1:56 pm

Since starting this earlier in the week, I do see the physical change in the spring of ribth from the expansion. I also notice that the non-stop eating leads to one massive energy load that causes them all to take one long nap. I am certainly going to have to be care about how much is given on show day or they are not going to be to perky in the ring.

What are some tips you would suggest on show day to counter the effects.

mtbkmom · Post by **mtbkmom** » Wed Jul 11, 2012 5:51 pm

We give our pigs some "Dyne"--can get it from Sullivan's supply....it is a high energy supplement that keeps them going during those long days waiting for the ring. Just top dress it on top of the feed. If weight is a problem you can limit the feed and pour this on and they will be able to keep up their energy even with a limited feed intake. Works really good.