Feeding your pig

Pigs 2mths -4mths- 1/4 3 x day (add water to pellets) ** Offer veggies blended into mush. Trying one or 2 a week will let you see which one’s piggy likes or doesn’t like. NOTE-Most pigs will not touch veggies till at least 4 months

TIP- Adding baby food pouches salt free and blending with same (green beans pouch with fresh green beans) is an easy intro for the first several months as they develop a taste for vegetables

Pigs 4mths-6 mths- 1/4 c 2x day with salad at noon (add water to pellets) Pigs 7mths and up-1/2 2 x day with salad (refer to body chart to adjust as needed) (water to pellets) * If pig eats to fast use slow feeder or chip/dip bowl * Baby puffs, baby yogurt bites or plain cheerios can be used for training

  • Always have water available( If pig doesnt like water add splash coconut water or cranberry juice )
Body chart

Pigs eat anything. No, they are picky. Pigs only eat items they want from their feed dish and dump what they do not want. There are pigs that will not drink plain water. These are the pigs that parents struggle to understand what the pig wants. REMEMBER how smart they are. If when little and you fed them something to help them drink or added something extra to feed, then the day will come the pig will remember and stop eating what you give them. (Pigs stop eating when they do not feel good also. Know your pig so when this happens you will know if pig is sick or being picky)

*PICKY EATER- Adding any of the following to veggies or pellets could help your picky eater. Splash of greek vinegarette, raw egg, berries, unsweetened coconut flakes, greek yogurt, baby food pouches or even unsweetened applesauce.

*PICKY DRINKER– Coconut water, 100% cranberry juice, 100% apple juice mixed in water

BEET PULP is found in horse treats at tractor supply. Giving any treat with this ingredient is not needed for pig. Beet pulp expands once digested giving pig a tummy ache. Much like pellets being soaked adding water to pulp will continue to expand after several hours. Imagine what is happening in your pigs tummy.

Tractor supply, amazon and chewy carry treats especially for pigs or you can make your own.

Pigs need nutrients from rooting, pellets and the greens you feed them. If your pig stops wanting the pellets DO NOT FEED OATS or SWEET CORN to supplement it will fatten pig up and make pig unhealthy. Making a diet without pellets is extremely hard to balance on what is needed. Several things on this on internet make parents believe it can be done by anyone and your pig will get all requirements to keep him/her healthy. I say no. Grains, protein, nuts, greens is some required ingredients needing to be balanced by pigs weight, age and how much a day. If you chose this route, contact a vet university to see what they suggest on how to do this regiment for your pig/s.

Pigs who refuse pellets after years could be from feed being molded or infested with bugs. It could also be a change in the making of product that doesn’t agree with pig. Try a different pig feed.

When pigs are starting on pellets to 1 1/2 to 2 years old and you want to switch to another brand or something cheaper for your budget switch as follows: First week add small portion of new feed to old feed, next week add extra to feed with old until the old is replaced with new feed. If you switch from one to another without combining it can cause tummy issues with piggy.

Feeding by 1-2% of body weight can be dangerous. Example if you get your pig from a breeder and pig weight is low according to this ratio you could potentially be feeding your pig a tablespoon or two a day to stay within weight lines for the percentage ratio.

DO NOT GO BY THIS METHOD. Use the body chart to adjust your feed. In the winter pigs will eat pellets along with a salad for lunch since they do not have rooting time in most areas. 1/4 cup per 25lbs is another option found to go by yet again if your pig is 100LBS or even 200LBS he /she would be getting several cups of feed daily leading to being obesity. Pigs 6months and up 1/2 cup 2 x a day with salad and snacks for rooting time is perfect amount of feed. You can add green beans, celery or cucumbers to daily meals or between meals.