Holding Question

Basic nutrition information, show pig, sow, and boar feeding advice
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Tifanilee
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Holding Question

Post by Tifanilee » Sun Dec 01, 2019 9:30 pm

Gilt weighed 210lbs today 12/1/19. Purchase weight was 86lbs on 9/28/19.
69 days until show. Weigh in is 235lbs to 310lbs.
What would be the best holding technique?
I have heard hold now then feed regularly at the end and also to cut back regular portions now and paylean 21 days at the end.
Also, what feed do you recommend for holding?
I'm currently feeding 2 quarts of Moorman's 18241 twice per day.
Thank you in advance!

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kgb
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Re: Holding Question

Post by kgb » Tue Dec 03, 2019 9:44 pm

Some things to keep in mind;

When pigs are restricted in growth, and then recover or placed back on full feed (whatever the reason they grew slower than normally) they experience compensatory growth.

This simply means they will very quickly gain all the weight they should have and then some. So, if you hold or slow a pig and put it back on full feed you will end up being in worse shape than when you started.

Once you begin to restrict feed intake and manage growth rate you need to keep doing that (manage weight gain). It can be a little faster growth, but do NOT put the pig back on full feed (feed regular portions as you put it).

My theory on managing weight gain is to feed for short periods such as 14 days at a time. Calculate what the pig can potentially gain for the total remaining days (310 - 210) / 69 days = 1.45 lb/day. Then feed a diet that result in substantially less than that for 14 days. In this way the pig can gain faster and faster with each successive period. And in that regard you won’t have to put the pig back on full feed.

However, some folks want an “easier” way. For them I would say feed:
(Total daily feed; divide into 2 equal meals):
HSC 819. 2 lb
High Octane Powerfill. 2 lb
High Octane Depth Charge 8 oz

The pig should gain about 1.5 lb per day on this diet.

If you want more information on specific diets for specific weight gain, and working on specific areas of the pig send me an e-mail at: kgburgoon@landolakes.com

Just know that I am the nutritionist for Honor Show Chow. I formulated the feeds and supplements, I have fed them, those are the products I am familiar with, and those are the ones I recommend.
Dr. Kevin Burgoon
Purina® Honor® Show Chow® Nutritionist
http://www.PurinaMills.com/Show-Feed
http://www.facebook.com/HonorShowChow
http://www.twitter.com/HonorShowChow

If you have the power to do good for someone...use it. Proverbs 3:27

Tifanilee
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Re: Holding Question

Post by Tifanilee » Thu Dec 05, 2019 4:31 pm

Thank you for your advice. I will try the cut back formula for 14 days and see how it goes.

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