Feeding Piglets: The Right Diet for Healthy Growth

Feeding piglets properly is one of the most important steps toward raising healthy, fast-growing, and profitable pigs. The type and ratio of feeds you provide between three to seven months of age play a major role in determining their growth rate, body weight, and overall performance.

🍼 From Weaning to Growth Stage

Piglets are usually weaned at around one month old, having already been introduced to creep feed about a week earlier. Creep feed helps the young pigs transition smoothly from mother’s milk to solid feeds. After weaning, their diet should gradually shift to a grower’s ration, depending on their weight and age.

Remember:

⚠️ Avoid sudden feed changes. Abrupt alterations can cause digestive stress and lead to reduced growth or even feed refusal. Always introduce new feeds gradually over several days.

🌾 Recommended Feeds for Piglets (3–7 Months Old)

At this stage, piglets are in their rapid growth phase, requiring feeds rich in energy, protein, vitamins, and minerals. Their diet should typically include:

• Energy sources: Maize, sorghum, barley, or cassava

• Protein sources: Soybean meal, fish meal, sunflower cake, or groundnut cake

• Mineral supplements: Bone meal, limestone, and salt

• Vegetables and greens: Sweet potato vines, pumpkin leaves, cabbage, and amaranth

Vegetables are particularly valuable because they supply vitamins and fiber, improving digestion and enhancing the pigs’ immune system.

⚖️ Feed Ratios and Daily Requirements

Feed ratios vary depending on the piglet’s age, weight, and growth target. Generally, a balanced grower feed should contain about 16–18% crude protein and adequate carbohydrates for energy.

Below is a general guideline:

Age (Months)	Average Weight (kg)	Feed Type	Feed Ratio per Day	Expected Daily Weight Gain
3–4 months	20–30 kg	Grower feed + greens	1.5–2.0 kg	0.3–0.4 kg
5–6 months	30–50 kg	Grower feed + vegetables	2.5–3.0 kg	0.4–0.5 kg
7 months	50–70 kg	Finisher feed + greens	3.0–3.5 kg	0.5–0.6 kg

👉 Tip: Mix about 80% concentrate feed (energy and protein sources) with 20% green vegetables or roughages to balance nutrition and promote gut health.

🥬 Why Vegetables Matter in a Piglet’s Diet

Including vegetables in a piglet’s feed isn’t just cost-effective, it’s also nutritionally smart. Vegetables help to:

• Improve digestion through added fiber

• Supply essential vitamins and minerals

• Reduce feed costs by replacing a portion of commercial concentrates

• Prevent constipation and other digestive problems

summary of pig feeding rates

🧾 Final Thoughts

Achieving the right body weight before slaughter depends on consistent feeding, proper ratios, and gradual feed transitions. Always observe your piglets’ response to feed and adjust portions as needed.

📸 Check the photo above for a detailed summary of feeding rates by age and expected body weight gain for slaughter-ready pigs.