Grandeur Africa Limited, P.O.
Box 47157-00100,
Nairobi, Kenya. [email protected]
Website: www.grandeurafrica.com
+254724526976/+254722522168. Hydroponics,
Vertical farming, Yoghurt, Biofuels (Biogas/Biodiesel)
PIGS MATHEMATICS
(3RD EDITION)
PIG FEEDING COSTS (50% fodder: 50% commercial feed)
AGE Qty of fodder Qty of Costs (Kshs) Costs (Kshs)
(kgs) Commercial per pig for 10pigs
feed (kgs)
2Months 1 0.5 28.75 287.50
2.5months 1 0.5 28.75 287.50
3months 2 1 57.50 575
3.5 months 2 1 57.50 575
4months 3 1.5 78.75 787.50
4.5months 3 1.5 78.75 787.50
5months 3 1.5 78.75 787.50
5.5 months 3 1.5 78.75 787.50
6-7months 3 1.5 78.75 787.50
Assumptions:
1) A kilogram of commercial feeds costs Kshs. 35
2) A kilogram of barley seeds costs Kshs. 45
3) 1kg of barley seeds yields 4kgs of barley fodder after 6days
4) Remember 2kgs of fodder will replace 1kg of commercial feeds.
Also have a look at the following info below.
1. Lets’ first start with pigs fed on 100% commercial feeds.
Normally, a mature pig is fed on 3kgs of Commercial feeds (Sow&Weaner, Polard, Pig
Finisher).
STAGE PRE- WEANER POST- FINISHERS DRY LACTATING
WEANER WEANER SOWS/ SOWS
BOARS
AGE 1 2 2-4 4-6 9.5 1year
(MONTHS)
FEED 0.1-0.26 0.9 (Sow 2 3kgs (Pig 2 2kgs per day
INTAKE (Starter & Weaner (Growers’ Finisher plus 1
/4kg for
(Kgs/Day) Meal) Meal) Meal/Sow Meal) each piglet
&Weaner)
LIVE 1.4-10 10-20 20-45 45-95 130-210 130-210
WEIGHT
(KGS)
CRUDE 21 18 16 15 13-14 16
PROTEIN
REQUIRE
MENT (%)
Considering 1kg of these feeds equates to Kshs. 35, ONE pig will therefore consume 105/- per
day excluding labour. The following results are observed in such pigs:
a. Slower growth rate since most of the time the pig is underfed due to limited cash flow.
b. Maturity at 8-9 months old since digestibility of commercial feeds stands at 30-40% only.
c. Higher Fat Depth i.e. 14mm and above.
d. Daily weight gain of 0.25kgs.
e. Not feasible for commercial pig farming due to high feeding costs and minimal or no
profits.
2. Lets’ now consider pigs fed on 100% fodder. 1 kg of seeds yields 4kgs of fodder.
Pigs’ Age Amount of fodder fed per pig per day Cost of feeding per pig per day
(Assuming 1kg barley costs 45/-) (Assuming 1kg barley costs 45/-)
2months – 2.5months 1.5kgs of fodder per pig per day 16.88/-
2.5months – 3months 3.0kgs of fodder per pig per day 33.75/-
3months – 4months 4.0kgs of fodder per pig per day 45/-
4months – 6months 5.5kgs of fodder per pig per day 67.5/-
Dry Sow 5.5kgs of fodder per pig per day 67.5/-
Boars 5.5kgs of fodder per pig per day 67.5/-
Lactating Sow 7-8kgs of fodder per pig per day 90/-
The following results are observed on pigs fed on 100% hydroponic barley fodder:
a. Maturity at 11months due to lack of enough dry matter in the diet.
b. Slower growth rate since the fodder has a lot of moisture, the pigs fail to take enough
water to help them grow.
c. Minimal fat depth of 7mm.
d. Very low feeding costs (though cheap is expensive).
e. Not feasible for commercial pig farming since the pigs take more time to mature.
3. Finally lets’ consider pigs fed on 70% hydroponic barley fodder and 30%
Commercial feeds.
A mature pig will consume 4kgs of feed per day.
70% of 4.0kgs = 2.8 kgs of fodder = 33.75/-
30% of 4.0kgs = 1.2 kgs of commercial feeds = 45.15/-
TOTAL 78.90/-
The following results have been observed on pigs fed on 50% fodder + 50% commercial feeds:
a. Maturity at 6-7months due to sufficient dry matter in the diet.
b. Faster growth rate due to the 95% digestibility of hydroponic fodder.
c. Required fat depth in pigs i.e. 8-10mm is attained.
d. Daily weight gain of 1.2 – 1.5kgs.
e. Very feasible for commercial pig farming due to good profit margins and reduced
feeding costs by at least 40%.
The 70% fodder + 30% commercial feeds feeding program can be used but we have not found it
very feasible for most farmers since the quality of feeds is a great factor in determining its
success.
The secret to having pigs that have good weight is water. This is greatly influenced by the
quantity of dry matter consumed. Always ensure that they have access to CLEAN water. The
truism that pigs love dirt doesn’t necessarily mean that they will love dirty water.
October 6, 2015
