Slow feeder/temperamental feeder

[melody]

My daughter's pig, Bob, is currently at 116 as of last Wednesday. We feed Showtec 18%. He's a slow eater! He's gotten better since we started limiting his time. However, now we need to get his appetite going. I've tried cake mix, oatmeal packets, etc. I have some B-12 paste coming and the oatmeal packets are helping, but he needs to make 220 by 12 February. I don't know what else to do... Bob is driving me crazy!

[swinemom]

Has he been wormed every 30 days? Also, I would moving him down to 16%.

[melody]

Has he been wormed every 30 days? Also, I would moving him down to 16%.

He is wormed every 30 days. I have been wondering about switching to 16% myself. I’ll talk to the advisor before I buy the next bag. Thank you for replying. I showed/bred angora rabbits for many years and my daughter had a dairy heifer during the fall. But pigs have been 1000 times more stressful!

[Pac]

Just as a note they almost always eat better in pairs. They need some competition for feed.

Only helpful for future projects...sorry!

[SCB]

The composition of the Moormans 18007 has changed. Our pigs started cramping and not wanting to eat it within a couple days of feeding it and others have noticed their hogs not finishing like they should. We switched to Lindners. You might add some oat groats at 1/2#/day also. Sorry to say but the problem I see now is getting th hog to gain 100# in a month. There are some supplements that will increase the appetite but you may have to ask for some help as to which one to use and how much to feed.

[hogger39]

If Sunglo is in your area, S'more Fill is a great feed supplement. It is mostly oats and marshmallows which helps with weight gain and with getting them to eat. Don't know how much you want to spend on the pig, but it may help. Good Luck.

[melody]

If Sunglo is in your area, S'more Fill is a great feed supplement. It is mostly oats and marshmallows which helps with weight gain and with getting them to eat. Don't know how much you want to spend on the pig, but it may help. Good Luck.

Thank you! I'll ask at the local feed store.

[dolfan31]

Stay with the showtec feed but get rid of all the other junk. Add oat goats and take away feed after 20-30 minutes. Also purchase TrueGlo CR and start top dressing. It is the absolute best product on the market to keep them eating and healthy.

[Kathy]

Sometimes on slow eaters you can try wet feeding them. Some absolutely love the feed wet. You just need to make sure you are mixing at the right consistency. Not to sloppy and not to dry. If to dry the feed will swell and get very gluey and hard for them to get out of the feeder. If to wet it is like they have to drink it and most don't like that either. Also, if it is cold do not mix with cold water they like it best mixed with warm water.

Also check your water supply, if they have to work to hard to get water or the water is too cold (or too hot) they won't drink enough. When I say work to hard - a lot of people use tube waterers or something similar that the pig has to suck on to get water and there isn't any pressure. Best is a pressurized water nipple they dont have to work so hard to get water.

Remember water consumption is directly attributable to feed intake.