tailieunhanh - Pig keeping in the tropics - part 5

Pig feeding Introduction Pigs are in general not particular about their food, which can be of both animal and vegetable origin. Although they accept most foods, this does not imply that the quality of their food is not important. Pigs won’t thrive on grazing and fibrous feed alone. | 6 Pig feeding Introduction Pigs are in general not particular about their food which can be of both animal and vegetable origin. Although they accept most foods this does not imply that the quality of their food is not important. Pigs won t thrive on grazing and fibrous feed alone. Figure 16 A feeding pig from Udo 1985 . It is perhaps unfortunate that pigs share the same tastes and requirements as humans. This means that they are in direct competition with them for important parts of their production the cereals roots and tubers milk and milk products. Only local circumstances can determine to what extent such competition is acceptable. In resource-poor areas the advantages of using cereals for example as pig food should be considered very carefully. Normally pigs will have to make do with feed that is not directly useful to man and with waste products. This includes agro-industrial by-products bran molasses etc. kitchen waste and garden or agricultural refuse. 56 Pig keeping in the tropics Nutritional requirements There are a number of essentials to be provided through the normal rations Dry matter Pigs like all animals need to fill their stomach and intestine with a certain amount of bulk normally indicated in terms of dry matter. The maximum that pigs in the tropics can eat is about 5 kg dry matter per day the lactating sows usually . Energy A pig needs energy in its food in order to Maintain its body temperature and normal body processes . digestion . Remain active and mobile. Develop and put on weight. Maintain its reproductive capacities a healthy sex drive strength to nourish the foetus and to produce milk. Starchy and fatty foods are the best sources of energy see next paragraph . The body also converts starch into body fat and if given sufficient good protein into meat. Protein Protein is necessary for physical development - growth breeding and milk production. Protein quality is as important as quantity. Some protein of animal origin should be