Yes its true that pigs will eat most anything, and convert it to usable meat, however after raising literally thousands of pigs in a variety of situations I have to emphasize the importance of protein in their diet. Without a consistent source of protein it will take them much longer to get to slaughter weight. I think this is what levelfarmer is saying when he says they just wont produce the pork without it. Protein can come from a variety of sources such as soybean meal, fish meal, alfalfa and other legumes, and dairy products. In the past even tankage (discarded meat and by products from slaughtering and rendering operations) was included. It seems as though this practice is much less prevelent today with the rise of prion diseases such as mad cow and scrapie. So go ahead and feed what you want and learn it first hand, just include adequate protein!
Raising hogs
Hey -
Basic question - how much purchased feed (corn, sweet feed, hog chow, etc.) does it take to take to bring a feeder pig up to slaughter weight?
I'm assuming you buy your feeder pig in the early spring and slaughter around 12/1 or so, as soon as it's cold enough to kill and hang the meat.
I am having a hard time finding any numbers on this. I understand you might supplement with free sources of feed, but if I was only feeding bought feed, would I need 200, 300, 500, or more pounds of feed on average to fatten the hog?
Would it make financial/practical sense to slaughter him before winter, or does it do you any good to keep him and let him get bigger? Are you only putting on more lard when you do this?
Also, what's your favorite easy keeping homestead hog?
Thanks very much. I have a hunch that pig raising could be summed up in about 10 good sentences, but I'm having a hard time finding those sentences!
Basic question - how much purchased feed (corn, sweet feed, hog chow, etc.) does it take to take to bring a feeder pig up to slaughter weight?
I'm assuming you buy your feeder pig in the early spring and slaughter around 12/1 or so, as soon as it's cold enough to kill and hang the meat.
I am having a hard time finding any numbers on this. I understand you might supplement with free sources of feed, but if I was only feeding bought feed, would I need 200, 300, 500, or more pounds of feed on average to fatten the hog?
Would it make financial/practical sense to slaughter him before winter, or does it do you any good to keep him and let him get bigger? Are you only putting on more lard when you do this?
Also, what's your favorite easy keeping homestead hog?
Thanks very much. I have a hunch that pig raising could be summed up in about 10 good sentences, but I'm having a hard time finding those sentences!
