Dietary Standards and Feed Preparation Methods for Fragrant Pig (Miniature Pig) Farming

(1) Dietary standards for fragrant pigs. The diet of a fragrant pig refers to the amount of feed a single fragrant pig consumes in a 24-hour period. The formulation of a fragrant pig's diet is based on the feeding standards for fragrant pigs, selecting several feeds in different quantities so that the various substances provided meet the quantities specified by the feeding standards. Since the feeding science of fragrant pigs is built on the basis of rationally utilizing various feeds and meeting nutritional needs, a well-formulated diet should, on the basis of adopting a wide variety of feeds, be reasonably matched so that the types and quantities of nutrients can basically reach the targets specified by the feeding standards, while also having good palatability and meeting economic requirements.

The feed that a fragrant pig eats and takes into its body each day is digested and absorbed, and the nutrients are converted into energy. Part of it is used to maintain life metabolism, part is used to make up for energy expended in movement, and only the remaining energy is used for weight gain and meat growth. For fragrant pigs, the amount of energy used for weight gain and meat growth differs at different stages and for different purposes. If a breeding fragrant pig has excess energy, it will grow too plump and too fat, which is extremely unfavorable for the reproduction of breeding fragrant pigs. If commercial fragrant pigs have insufficient energy, the fragrant pigs will grow slowly, costs will relatively increase, and economic benefits will decline. Therefore, the feed formulas for fragrant pigs at different stages and for different purposes are not the same.

① Feed formula for pregnant female fragrant pigs. During pregnancy, besides the female fragrant pig's own nutritional consumption, the fetus in the female fragrant pig's body also needs nutritional consumption, so this must be fully taken into account. The recommended nutritional standards are: digestible energy 2700 kcal/kg, protein 155%, calcium 1%, phosphorus 0.53%. Example formula: corn 27%, wheat bran 27%, rice bran 15%, soybean meal 12%, peanut meal 2%, meat-and-bone meal 2%, alfalfa meal 13%, shell powder 1.6%, salt 0.4%.

② Feed formula for replacement and open (non-pregnant) female fragrant pigs. During the replacement and open period, female fragrant pigs are mainly preparing for mating, so nutrition must not be excessive. If nutrition is excessive at this time, it will cause female fragrant pigs not to come into estrus or reduce the conception rate after estrus mating. The recommended nutritional standards are: digestible energy 2680 kcal/kg, protein 15%, calcium 0.9%, phosphorus 0.52%. Example formula: corn 26%, wheat bran 26%, rice bran 15%, alfalfa meal 17%, soybean meal 12%, meat-and-bone meal 2%, shell powder 1.6%, salt 0.4%.

③ Feed formula for suckling fragrant pigs. Suckling fragrant pigs refer to the period from 2o days of age to the weaning day of age after birth. In the early growth stage of suckling fragrant pigs, the intestinal tract is not yet fully developed, so more easily digested and absorbed food should be fed. In the later growth stage, suckling fragrant pigs grow quickly, so attention should be paid to the supply of energy and other nutrients. The recommended nutritional standards are: digestible energy 2800 kcal/kg, protein 165%, calcium 074%, phosphorus 035%. Example formula: corn 28%, wheat bran 27%, rice bran 15%, soybean meal 12%, peanut meal 3%, alfalfa meal 12%, meat-and-bone meal 1%, bone meal 0.8%, salt 0.2%.

④ Feed formula for breeding male fragrant pigs. Breeding male fragrant pigs are male fragrant pigs specially used to mate with female fragrant pigs. Especially during the mating season of breeding male fragrant pigs, physical energy consumption is relatively large. If nutrition cannot keep up, it will likewise affect the conception rate of female fragrant pigs after mating. The recommended nutritional standards are: digestible energy 2800 kcal/kg, protein 16%, calcium 0.6%, phosphorus 0.45%. Example formula: corn 27%, wheat bran 27%, rice bran 15%, soybean meal 12%, peanut meal 2%, meat-and-bone meal 1%, alfalfa meal 13%, bone meal 0.8%, salt 0.2%.

⑤ Feed formula for lactating female fragrant pigs. During lactation, not only does the female fragrant pig itself need the consumption of nutrients, but it also must suckle the young, so physical energy consumption is relatively large, and the female fragrant pig needs to receive sufficient supplementation; otherwise it is unfavorable to the growth and development of both the mother and the young. The recommended nutritional standards are: digestible energy 2820 kcal/kg, protein 16%, calcium 0.7%, phosphorus 0.4%. Example formula: corn 28%, wheat bran 28%, rice bran 15%, soybean meal 12%, peanut meal 3%, meat-and-bone meal 1%, alfalfa meal 11%, bone meal 0.8%, salt 0.2%. Feed formulas are not fixed and unchanging. In actual operation, appropriate local feeds should be selected according to the conditions one has, and scientifically matched. At the same time, attention should be paid to observing the feeding results and adjusting the formula in a timely manner.

(2) Points to note when designing diet formulas. First, meet the fragrant pig's needs for various nutrients. Feeding practice has proved that selecting appropriate feeding standards is the basis for improving the practical value of the formulated diet, thereby meeting the fragrant pig's nutritional needs. First of all, the energy requirement must be met. Only after the energy requirement is met can the requirements for nutrients such as protein and amino acids, inorganic salts, and vitamins be considered. Deficiencies of these substances can be supplemented by various types of additives. Second, the balance of energy and protein must be considered. In the proportions of the diet, when energy is low, the protein content should also be relatively reduced. If high energy and low protein, or low energy and high protein, are used, it will cause waste of feed.

Second, the fragrant pig's diet should be composed of multiple feeds. Feeding practice has proved that a single feed can hardly meet nutritional needs. Only a diversity of feeds can produce a complementary effect among nutrients. Generally, in feed composition there should be no fewer than 3-5 varieties. At the same time, special attention should be paid to increasing crude fiber feed. In the wild natural environment, fragrant pigs mainly eat green feed. Under artificial breeding, fragrant pigs also have the habit of eating green feed, so in the above formulas alfalfa meal accounts for 11%-13% of the composition. In actual production, if there is no alfalfa meal, other green feed and silage can be used as substitutes, to prevent malnutrition in fragrant pigs caused by insufficient crude fiber feed.

Third, attention should be paid to the palatability of the feed and digestive characteristics. In production practice, feeds with good palatability and in line with the digestive characteristics of fragrant pigs should be selected. With good palatability, fragrant pigs love to eat, have a large feed intake, and digest well, which is conducive to the absorption of feed and enables the fragrant pigs to grow and develop healthily. At the same time, attention should be paid to the feed intake of fragrant pigs to prevent the diet volume from being too large and the nutrients ingested from being insufficient. In diet preparation, feed raw materials that are not moldy and not spoiled should also be selected, to prevent harmful substances from entering the fragrant pig's body and causing adverse effects, or even causing the fragrant pig to become ill and die.

Fourth, pay attention to improving economic benefits and reducing feed costs. This requires that when selecting feed, one should adapt measures to local conditions and to the time; select feeds with relatively high nutritional value and low price; and reasonably arrange the feed processing technology, save labor, and reduce unnecessary expenses.

(3) Feed processing and preparation. In order to reduce the difficulty of chewing for fragrant pigs, improve digestibility, promote appetite, and also to remove harmful parts in the feed and facilitate storage, the feed for fragrant pigs should be processed and prepared before feeding.

① Green and succulent feed should be fed while fresh, to ensure that high nutrients are absorbed in a timely manner. If fresh green feed cannot be fed, or if there is leftover after feeding, it should be spread out thinly and not piled up, so as to avoid heating and turning yellow, or rotting and deteriorating and losing its edible value. Green feed that has been wetted by rain should be drained of water before feeding. If green feed is contaminated with soil, impurities, and the like, it should be washed clean and shaken dry before feeding.

② Seed feeds, such as corn and wheat, must be crushed or mashed before feeding. Beans such as black beans and soybeans should be soaked in warm water for 3-4 hours before feeding or cooked before feeding, so that they increase in aroma and are easy to digest, and at the same time can also destroy toxic substances and improve nutritional value.

③ Oil meal feeds must be processed and crushed, then mixed with feeds such as bran and wheat bran for feeding. Bean dregs should have the water pressed out, then be mixed with feeds such as bran, cornmeal, and wheat bran for feeding. Root and tuber feeds, such as sweet potato, potato, and carrot, should be washed clean and cut into thin strips or slices or pieces for feeding.

④ Salt should be ground into powder or dissolved in water before being mixed into the feed for feeding, or salt can be directly dissolved in water and used as drinking water. When feeding pellet feed, pay attention to whether the feed is moldy or spoiled. When feeding dry feed, corresponding attention should be paid to the drinking water of the fragrant pigs.