Feeding Pigs with Raw Feed Requires Attention: Master the Correct Feeding Methods

Selection of Feed Suitable for Raw Feeding
The feeds that can be chosen for raw feeding are mainly grass-family grains, such as corn, wheat, rice, and their processing by-products, such as rice bran, wheat bran, cornmeal, etc. After the above feeds are cooked, the loss of nutrients reaches more than 13%, and their feeding effect is only equivalent to 87% of raw feeding. In addition, green feed should also be fed raw; when fed cooked, most of the protein and vitamins are destroyed. However, legume grain feeds such as soybeans, soybean cake, peanut cake, and soybean residue contain a trypsin inhibitor, which can hinder the decomposition of legume proteins by trypsin in the pig's body. Therefore, such feeds cannot be fed raw and must be fed after high-temperature treatment.
　　
Selection of Raw Feeding Methods
Raw feeding can be divided into two types: wet feeding and dry feeding. The ratio of wet feed to water must not exceed 1:2.5; otherwise, it will reduce the secretion of digestive juices, lower the activity of digestive enzymes, and affect the digestion and absorption of feed. The most suitable ratio should be about 1:1. The mixed feed should be moist enough that a drop of water can be squeezed out. Dry feeding is feeding in powder form: first feed the dry feed, then provide drinking water. The advantage of dry feeding is that the feed is not prone to spoilage, one preparation can feed the pigs for several days, it saves labor, and it is convenient for making compound feed to feed pigs.
　　
Raw Feed for Pigs Must Be Disinfected
When feeding pigs with raw feed, attention must be paid to washing and disinfection to avoid infection with parasitic diseases. For disinfection, lime water or potassium permanganate solution can be used for soaking. The best method is not to apply pig manure or unrotted and unfermented manure on the field where the feed is grown, so as to prevent contamination by insect eggs and pathogens. Rapeseed cake, cottonseed cake, fresh cassava, buckwheat, and others containing certain toxins generally must undergo procedures such as crushing, soaking, fermentation, or ensiling for detoxification treatment before they can be fed raw.
　　
Raw Feed Should Be Crushed to an Appropriate Degree
The particle diameter of crushed raw feed should preferably be 1.2 mm to 1.8 mm. This particle type tastes good to pigs, gives them a large feed intake, and makes them gain fat quickly. If the diameter is less than 1 mm, the feed easily sticks to the mouth when pigs eat it, affecting palatability and easily causing gastric ulcers. If the diameter is greater than 2 mm, it is rough and has poor palatability; pigs do not like to eat it, which affects the normal growth of pigs.
　　
The Amount of Raw Feed Used Should Be Reasonable
When feeding pigs with raw feed, the feeding amount differs according to the pig's different growth stages and production performance. Piglets and fattening pigs can be allowed to eat freely, but breeding pigs, especially breeding sows, are not the same; they must be supplied in fixed amounts. Otherwise, excessive feed intake will cause fat deposition and affect reproduction. Usually, for breeding boars during the non-mating period, the daily amount of concentrated feed should be controlled at 2 kg to 2.5 kg, and during the mating period it can be fed up to 3 kg to 3.5 kg. For pregnant sows, the amount of concentrated feed is 2 kg to 2.5 kg, and during the lactation period it is 5 kg to 6 kg.
　　
Feed Concentrated Feed and Green Raw Feed Separately
When pigs are hungry, the secretion of digestive juices is at its strongest. Concentrated feed is rich in nutrients, small in volume, low in crude fiber, good in palatability, and easy to digest, so concentrated feed should be fed first.
　　
Supply Enough Drinking Water
Pigs fed dry feed must be supplied with enough drinking water. In winter, the drinking water amount is generally 2 to 3 times that of dry feed, in spring and autumn 4 times, and in summer 5 times. In particular, lactating sows and piglets must not lack water; otherwise, it will affect the sow's milk secretion. The water quality must be clean and pollution-free, and the water temperature should be kept warm in winter and cool in summer.
　　
Gradually Transition to Feeding Raw Feed
When changing from feeding cooked feed to feeding raw feed, there must be a transition period. First, change 1/3 of the feed to raw feed. After 3 days to 5 days, change it to 2/3, and only after another 3 days to 5 days should all of it be changed to raw feed; otherwise, it will affect the pig's feed intake and weight gain. In the first few days after changing to raw feed, the amount of raw feed used should be controlled to prevent indigestion and other discomfort in pigs caused by excessive feed intake.