8. pig nutrition Flashcards
what nutrients do pigs require
- energy (75%)
- protein (20%)
- fat (less than 4%)
- water
- vitamins
- minerals
what do pet pigs eat
- 70% fruits and veg
- 15% grains and cereals
- 15% forages
what will you find in a commercial pig diet
what 3 feed types are availible to commercial pigs
- crumble (course/loose texture)
- pellets (compact cylinders that hold their shape)
- meal (course ground powder)
what cant pigs eat
BSE and FMD outbreaks have placed restricitions on feeding pigs animal proteins
what are the energy requirements of pigs
- most energy is from carbohydrates (no specific carbohydrate)
- influenced by weight, genetic capacity for lean tissue, growth, milk production and environmental temp
- feed intake is correlated to energy density
- carbohydrate sources for swine are typically cereal grains
what are the fibre requirements for pigs
- need less fibre (monogastric)
- inefficient fibre digesters
what are the protein requirements of pigs
- crude protein ranges from 10% (adult) up to 25% (weaner) and decreases with BW and age
- Lysine is top limiting amino acid (if diet is formulated to suit lysine requirements, rest of AAs are usually fine)
what are the lipid requirements of pigs
- most dietary lipid absorbed intact and deposited directly into body fat
- linoleic acid only dietary essential fatty acid
- usually met in corn oil
what vitamins and minerals are required by pigs
- Ca, P and Na most important
- trace minerals (Fe, Zn, I, Se, Cu, Mn are commonly included
- milk is very low in iron so suckling pigs require supplemental iron during first 3 days of life
- vitamins A, D, E, K, B12, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid and choline are also common additions
when does the GIT of a pig mature
few weeks after weaning
what can creep feeding be offered to piglets
7-12 days old
why is creep feeding beneficial to piglets
aidds intestinal development and eases transitions of weaning
outline nutritional requirements of weaners
- weaning is stressful!
- occurs at 3-5 weeks old
- same diet as fed pre-weaning for 1 weeks or until 9kg BW
- feeding milk replacer for a short period after weaning can be beneficial to growth and gut health
- high digestible ingredients important (milk products, fish, processed cereals)
what are the dietary requirements of starters
- most starter feed regimes are 2 or 3 stages to ensure smooth transition onto grower ration
- young pigs have high nutrient requrements and small appetites
- diets are high energy and protein, with vitamins and minerals to support growth
- as pigs age their appetite improves and nutrient requirements decline as growth slows
what are the dietary requirements of growers and finishers
- commonly 3-4 different feeds from 13kg to slaughter
- as pigs grow, feed intake increases accordingly (early grower pigs will eat 0.5kg/day up to 2.5 kg/day at finishing)
- no longer require complex diets or specialty ingredients
- high levels of protein for lean muscle growth
- rations include wheat, barley and high protein soya
what are the dietary requirements of dry sows and gilts
- gestating pigs should be fed accordingly to BW (aim for BCS of 3 by mid to late gestation to avoid risk of dystocia)
- gilts are still growing and protein supply must support maternal and fetal growth
- sows reduced requirement for lysine and an increased requirement for energy
- until mid gestation, fetal and mammary development is small, aim to maintain condition without over or underfeeding
- avoid overfeeding in days prior to farrowing to avoid depressed appetite post partuition
what are the dietary requirements of lactating gilts and sows
- sows farrowing at BCS 3 should have a good appetite and milk output
- sows have a higher feed intake than gilts but gilts may need higher nutrient density
what factors affect pig nutrition
- genetics
- temp (over 29 = reduced intake, under 15 = increased feed intake to maintain heat generation
discuss nutritional problems in pigs
- rare in pigs
- takes a while to manifest visually
- signs often non-specific
- overconditioned sows are prone to stillbirths, poor colostrum and milk production, piglet crushing, heat stress, fewe parities, delayed return to oestrus and insufficient intake during lactation
- under conditioned sows can have underdeveloped piglets, poor milk availibility, abortions, failure to return to oestrus, fewer parities
youngstock:
- milk diarrhea from overconsumption
- weaning stress leading to villi shrinkage, atrophy and crypt hyperplasia