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| > Animal Needs > Breeding Pigs |
Breeding Pigs
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Nutritional requirements of animals during breeding differ greatly from other stages of the life cycle. Pot-bellied pigs are no exception to this fundamental principle. To meet the increased nutritional demands of breeding and lactation, it is essential that a higher energy, higher protein diet be offered to the breeding female. For pregnant/lactating females, feed a mixture of 50% Mazuri Mini-Pig Active Adult and 50% Mazuri Mini-Pig Youth for increased energy. For higher energy, increa the Mazuri Mini-Pig Youth to 60% of the daily intake.
By feeding the combination of diets, the female will get a higher level of fat and a lower level of fiber. This means the food has more energy to support the growth of the fetuses during gestation and to support lactation after the babies are born. Care must be taken to prevent the mother from getting overweight by overfeeding, particularly during the early stages of lactation. The babies may begin to nibble at the mother's food after they are several days old. That will make the transition away from mother's milk easier at weaning.
Pre-Breeding Period
First Litter - Limit feed the 50/50 mixture of Mazuri Mini-Pig Active Adult and Mini-Pig Youth at a rate of approximately 1.5% to 2.0% body weight daily until 10 to 14 days before breeding. At this time increase the feeding rate to 2.0% to 3.0% body weight daily until the animals are bred.
Subsequent Litter - For females rebred during the first post-weaning cycle, feed 2.0% to 3.0% body weight daily. For females rebred in the second or third post weaning cycle, feed approximately 1.5% to 2.0% body weight daily. Increase to 2.0% to 3.0% for the 7 to 10 day period prior to breeding.
During Pregnancy
Limit feed the 50/50 mixture of Mazuri Mini-Pig Active Adult and Mini-Pig Youth at a rate of approximately 1.0% to 1.5% body weight daily or adjust rate as needed to maintain good, lean body condition for the first 12 weeks of gestation. Increase the feed to about 2.0% during the last 4 weeks of gestation.
Lactation
Reduce feed to about 1.5% body weight beginning 4 to 5 days before females are due to deliver. Then, on the day following birth, begin increasing the feeding rate to full feed. This period had the highest nutritional demand placed on the mother, so continue feeding the 50/50 mixture of Mazuri Mini-Pig Active Adult and Mini-Pig Youth. If the number of pigs in the litter is low, regulate the food available to prevent excess milk production and weight gain by the female.
Boars
Maintain boars in top condition during breeding by feeding the same food the female is fed during the breeding period. Adjust the feeding rate as needed. A suggested rate is 2.0% to 2.5% body weight per head based on the activity of the individual boar.
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