How to properly feed pigs for lard
Farmers often buy small pigs in order to sell their meat and lard over time. Today, lard is an extremely relevant product, which is not the only thing they do with it: smoked, salted, fried, boiled. In some countries, this product is considered the crown of all dishes, it is eaten very first. But to get it, you first need to fatten the pig, but not all farmers know how to feed pigs for lard.
How and what to feed a pig for lard
Features of such feeding
Lard (lard) is a natural animal fat that is always deposited under the skin. This is the energy reserve of the animal, which it feeds on during active actions or, for some reason, does not receive normal nutrition.
There is a heated debate over nutrition. Some experts say that feeding with fatty cakes has an excellent effect on the deposition and build-up of fat in pigs, others are not so optimistic in this regard:
- The first group argues that such feeding is acceptable for gilts that are fattened specifically for gaining weight. The cakes themselves are very fatty, and for an animal whose metabolism is at an average level, they are quite suitable. Such a dish strengthens the fatty layers, as a result of which the meat of the animal turns out to be soft, tender and satisfying. The only negative is sugar.
- The second group believes that such feeding is absolutely unacceptable for animals, since the cake contains a large amount of sugar, which contributes to the appearance of many diseases.
Feeding types
Today there are 2 ways of feeding:
- dry;
- liquid.
Any of these methods has both positive and negative sides. The main thing is that it is convenient for the owner to feed the pig. Which of the proposed methods is the most effective for fattening the pig?
- Dry food involves mixing equal amounts of compound feed and feed mixture. In order for the piglets to be healthy and their lard was of high quality, it is necessary to choose exceptionally good mash. It is advisable to feed the animal 2-4 times a day. One of the positive aspects of using dry food is that the pig receives a completely balanced diet that contains many positive substances. Such feeding provides the pig with all the vitamins and nutrients, and also has a very high percentage of value, while the owner does not have to purchase any additional supplements. The results of such feeding are as follows: the pig is healthy and active, receives all the necessary vitamins and calcium, gradually gains weight (at a fast pace), its lard does not deteriorate, while maintaining its softness and taste. The second rule for such feeding is this: the animal must have constant access to water. Due to the fact that the pig is constantly eating dry food, she is thirsty. The advantages of such a menu include the fact that feeding with dry mash helps to maintain cleanliness in the pen, they do not deteriorate if left for a while in the feeder, besides, it is much easier to clean dry food.
- Liquid feed is mainly composed of various waste products.Typically used is food waste from the dairy, sugar and vegetable industries. Liquid food is more suitable for the physiological needs of pigs, because of this, the percentage of liquid food consumed is several times higher than that of dry food. It is digested and absorbed faster in the stomach, so you will need more of it. After drinking it with water, dry food swells in the stomach, because of this, the pig does not have a feeling of hunger, so it lasts for a longer time. One of the disadvantages of liquid feed is that it cannot be stored for a long time, and therefore, after each feeding, it is required to remove all leftovers and wash the feeder so that the food does not disappear and the pig does not get poisoned.
Until recently, many farmers unanimously assured that dry type of feeding is one of the best ways to feed an animal, but today everything has changed dramatically, and now almost all farmers say that a liquid way of feeding is best. Each farmer decides for himself what he will give to his animals, but you can also choose a combined method of feeding - this is a great way to raise pigs with a lot of lard.
Feeding types
There are several types of piglet feeding. Each depends on the area of application and use of the pigs after slaughter. Feedings are:
- vegetable;
- synthetic;
- compound feed;
- mineral;
- food waste.
Novice farmers are wondering what is the best feed: wheat or barley. The answer is simple: Barley is best suited for animals that want to feed because it contains 80% protein.
In order to increase the lard for a pig, 2 types of feeding are best suited: compound feed and food waste, because they are natural food products, and this greatly affects the quality of the lard.
Other forms of nutrition will not work as they affect the volume of meat and its quality, while minimizing the pig's lard in the body. It is necessary to closely monitor the piglets: they can gain weight very quickly.
Features of the species of piglets
The pigs should have a well-developed back and chest, thanks to this, the pig will be able to withstand a large mass of fat that will accumulate under the breast. The pig should be given for fattening when it already weighs 96-105 kilograms. After that, the pig already begins to fatten, and this is completely different from lard. Obesity suggests that, most likely, it is already losing its shape and because of this, the lard can greatly deteriorate and become loose.
Many farmers advise neutering gilts, so they will gain weight faster and, accordingly, will also have more fat. It is necessary to castrate a pig only at a young age. From one pig, you can take from 1 to 5 kg of fat. Sometimes piglets can get a lard with a layer.
Tips from experts
To grow a pig with a good greasy layer, you need to let it move as little as possible. Thus, the less the pig moves, the less it spends energy, thanks to which it saves its reserves of fat. Of course, you cannot bring this advice to the point of absurdity and not let the pig move at all, you just need to try to reduce its activity as much as possible.
Another tip is to feed the animal as often as possible and only with high-quality and natural products: this has a positive effect on the quality of the fat.
Thus, in order to fatten the pig and get a good fat gain from it, it is enough to adhere to the basic rules, then you will not have to be upset that the lard is not enough.