How to scientifically feed nursery pigs? Mastering these methods is key

Nutrient intake is related to the nutrient concentration of the diet and the daily intake. Newly weaned piglets have a relatively low daily feed intake, so the nutrient concentration of the diet is required to be relatively high to meet their needs. Therefore, the key points for increasing feed intake are: piglets can easily obtain the new diet; use pelleted feed to promote intake; initially use a diet with a higher concentration; as feed intake increases, rapidly reduce the diet concentration.

When setting diet specifications, the minimum energy concentration should be set first. Piglets under 10kg are unable to obtain enough energy by adjusting their feed intake, so the energy concentration of the diet must not be lower than 14.57MJ/kg (metabolizable energy). As piglet body weight increases, the energy concentration can be adjusted downward, but it is recommended not to be lower than 13.61MJ/kg (metabolizable energy). Correct feeding and management in the early stage of nursery pigs will accelerate piglet growth rate, so as to unleash the maximum genetic potential for muscle growth. This can reduce the age in days to reach market weight, thereby reducing feed consumption. And the faster the early growth rate, the higher the lean meat percentage of commercial pigs.