What are the ways to prevent finishing pigs from becoming too fat?

Some farmers, in trying to make their pigs grow faster, end up with large pigs that are too fat. Why? Growing pigs "eat to meet their energy needs," so the energy level of the diet affects a pig's feed intake, growth rate, feed utilization and carcass lean percentage. For example, when the dietary energy level is reduced to 10.8 MJ/kg feed, the growth rate and feed utilization decrease, but the carcass lean percentage increases; when it is reduced to 8.8 MJ/kg feed, the energy intake is insufficient, which severely reduces the pig's growth rate and feed utilization, and the pig will be very thin. If energy is too high, the pig will become too fat. Generally, a dietary energy level of 11.9-13.3 MJ/kg feed is appropriate; the energy should be higher for piglets and growing pigs and lower for finishing pigs.

When the protein content of the feed differs, the pig's growth rate and carcass fatness will differ. When the protein content of the feed is on the low side, the pig's growth rate will slow down. At a dietary crude protein level of 17.5%, the average daily gain is better; above 22.5%, the average daily gain instead declines, but the lean percentage increases. However, using higher protein levels to raise the lean percentage is not economical. The protein level should be set according to the pig's growth pattern and the different lean percentage requirements. For high-lean breeds such as the foreign three-way cross, before 60 kg body weight the protein level should be 16%-18%, and in the later stage 13%-15%; for growing-finishing pigs of medium lean percentage, 14%-16% in the early stage and 12%-14% in the later stage are appropriate.

When mixing feed, the effect of crude fiber must also be considered; pigs are poor at utilizing crude fiber. The crude fiber content affects the palatability and digestibility of the diet. If the crude fiber content is too high, palatability is poor and the digestibility of the diet decreases; if the content is too low, pigs will develop diarrhea or constipation, and because the energy intake decreases, the pig's weight gain rate slows down, and the pig's backfat thickness also decreases. Therefore, the fatness of pigs can be regulated through the crude fiber level. For piglets and growing pigs it should not exceed 5%, and in the later stage it should not exceed 8%. Use as little as possible, or none at all, of high-fiber roughages such as rice husk powder and bran to feed pigs.

Feed processing fineness and feeding methods also affect a pig's feed intake, growth rate and fatness. A feed fineness with a particle diameter of 1.2-1.8 mm is appropriate; the pig eats it readily, has a large feed intake, gains weight quickly and has high feed utilization. Grinding too fine reduces the pig's feed intake and at the same time increases the incidence of gastric ulcers. When part of the feed is green fodder, a slightly finer grind will not affect palatability and will not cause gastric ulcers. Some diets are better fed raw than cooked, because most vitamins are destroyed by high temperature. Dry feeding saves labor and time and makes it easy to use automatic feeders, while wet feeding can improve the palatability of the feed and also avoid feed dust, but the amount of water added should not be too much. Generally, mix a wet mash at a feed-to-water ratio of 1:0.5-1.0; after adding water, it should hold together when squeezed in the hand and fall apart when the hand is released. In summer, take care to prevent the feed from spoiling. Slop can affect the pig's dry matter intake and dilute the gastric juice, which is bad for digestion, so when farmers add swill, they should not add too much water.

As the saying goes, "piglets grow bone, growing pigs grow meat, finishing pigs grow fat," so the feeding method should be determined according to the pig's growth pattern. With free access to feed, feed intake is large, daily gain is high, and carcass backfat is thick; with restricted feeding, daily gain is lower, but feed utilization is higher and carcass backfat is thinner. However, some pigs with a higher lean growth potential do not respond very obviously to restricted feeding and can be fed freely. Ordinary farmers feed restrictedly by meals, feeding each meal until a little is left over. Below 35 kg body weight, the gastrointestinal volume is small and digestive capacity is poor, so it is best to feed 3-4 times a day. For pigs of 35-60 kg, the gastrointestinal volume expands and digestive capacity increases, so they should be fed 2-3 times a day. After 60 kg body weight, they can be fed 2 times a day. Feeding too many times will affect the pig's rest and also increases labor. Try to keep the feeding times balanced each time, and in summer choose to feed in the cool morning and evening. Some farmers restrict feeding during the growing stage, thinking this will build the frame, and then increase the amount later; in fact, this makes the pigs grow too fat. Generally, do not restrict feeding during the growing stage, and restrict slightly after 60 kg. That is, use free access to feed in the early stage and restricted feeding in the later stage. Pigs drink a fairly large amount of water, and some farmers do not pay attention to this, thinking that as long as they use slop or swill there is no need to add water. In fact, insufficient drinking water or restricted drinking water will cause loss of appetite, reduced feed intake, lower daily gain and lower feed utilization, and increased backfat thickness; severe water shortage will cause disease. A pig's water intake varies with body weight, ambient temperature, feed, breed and the pig's feed intake. In winter, the water intake is 5-15 jin, and in summer about 10-30 jin. An automatic drinker is best; alternatively, add water to the trough after feeding and let the pig finish it by the next feeding. If the above influencing factors are handled well, @#@227@#@ the benefits will increase, the pigs will grow quickly, and they will not become too fat.