Feeding Outdoor pigs

Outdoor pigs can be allowed to graze forage or other vegetation, but for good growth and lactation, they should be fed nutritionally-balanced diets that contain energy, protein (and amino acids), vitamins and minerals.

Outdoor pigs are subjected to extremes in weather.  The main concerns about feeding outdoor pigs is when it is either (a) windy or (b) raining.   Other weather extremes are more manageable.   Also, we should recognize that the feed is typically fed on the ground, not in feeders.  Thus, the feed nutrients can wash into the ground or be diluted by soil.  There is not a problem with pigs eating some soil along with their meal.  

To manage feed for the times when the weather is wet or windy, it is better to feed sows a pelleted or cubed feed.   Generally, a pellet is smaller than a cube.  The cubes we often use are from 3/8 inch to 1 inch (0.95 to 2.5 cm) in diameter and are either round or square.  

An example of feed forms is shown here:

Pigs are fed in a line in an attempt to spread the feed out and avoid competition among sows.

In this picture, the feed line is along the fence on a pasture recently occupied by sows.

Feed can be delivered by a number of means.  One system observed in Brazil is to use a horse and cart.

Buckets of feed are scooped out and thrown over the fence (this is not a pelleted feed).

When feed is hand-fed with a bucket, it is best to spread the feed out.  Here the sows are fed a cubed feed on the ground in Texas.  The bucket is filled at the feed wagon. 

Feed can be  contained in bulk bins or in sacks or other containers.

Here are overhead bulk bins for outdoor sow feed.  Note that the tractor drives under the bins to fill the feed box that is pulled by the tractor:

The most worker-friendly feeding system is to pull a feed wagon with a tractor.  The feed wagon has an arm that extends over the fence to feed the sows.  

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