New tricks for pig farming to gain weight and cut costs, worth a try

1. Zeolite powder method. In Japan, adding 5% zeolite powder to feed for meat pigs, for every 1 kg of zeolite powder added, meat pigs can gain 4 kg, saving nearly 1/4 of feed, and it can also reduce pig bronchitis, gastroenteritis, rickets and piglet diarrhea and other diseases. When used to feed sows, it can also speed up the growth and development of piglets.

2. Mugwort leaf method. Mugwort leaves are rich in nutrients and have a disease-resistant effect on pigs. In Japan, adding 2% mugwort leaf powder to the pig diet, besides increasing daily gain by 5%-10%, feed consumption can drop by 7%-12%.

3. Rare earth method. In the United States, adding 2.5 grams of rare earth to 1 kg of feed for meat pigs can make pigs gain 20-45 kg and increase feed utilization by 3%-12%.

4. Oil and fat method. According to Japanese research, in the feed of weaned piglets, adding a mixed oil of 50% soybean oil and 50% coconut oil, with a daily addition of 2%-5% of the diet, results in weight gain 14.5% higher than the control group.

5. Flavomycin or citric acid method. In a main trial in Germany, starting when piglets weigh 30-35 kg, adding 20 mg of flavomycin per kg of feed to the diet can increase daily gain by 5%. Britain found that for weaned piglets of 5-10 kg, adding 30 grams of citric acid per kg of feed can increase pig weight gain by 30%-35%.

6. Saccharin or baking soda method. Adding 0.05 grams of saccharin per kg of feed can greatly increase the feed intake of meat pigs, increase daily gain by 7%, and for every 100 kg of weight gain, feed consumption and cost drop by 4.8% and 3.5% respectively. To feed saccharin to pigs, it can first be dissolved in water and then mixed into the feed. When lysine supply is lacking, baking soda can be used instead, which not only costs less but can also achieve the same weight-gain effect. Baking soda dosage: 10 grams per day for piglets, 20 grams per day for medium pigs, and 30 grams per day for large pigs.