Table of Contents
How To Raise Pigs For Profits
The pig has got highest feed conversion efficiency than any other class of meat producing animals except broilers.
The pig can utilize wide variety of feed stuffs viz. grains, forages, damaged feeds and garbage and convert them into valuable nutritious meat.
They are prolific with shorter generation interval. A sow can be bred as early as 8-9 months of age and can farrow twice in a year. They produce 6-12 piglets in each farrowing.
Pig farming requires small investment on buildings and equipments
Pigs are known for their meat yield, which in terms of dressing percentage ranges from 65 – 80 in comparison to other livestock species whose dressing yields may not exceed 65%.
Pork is most nutritious with high fat and low water content and has got better energy value than that of other meats. It is rich in vitamins like thiamine, Niacin and riboflavin.
Pigs manure is widely used as fertilizer for agriculture farms and fish ponds.
Pigs store fat rapidly for which there is an increasing demand from poultry feed, soap, paints and other chemical industries.
Pig farming provides quick returns since the marketable weight of fatteners can be achieved with in a period of 6-8 months.
There is good demand from domestic as well as export market for pig products such as pork, bacon, ham, sausages, lard etc.
Breeds: Large white Yorkshire, Chester White, Middle white Yorkshire, Tamworth, Berkshire, Landrace, Poland china, Spotted Poland china ,Duron, Hampshire
Large white Yorkshire: UK
White, occasionally black spots
Erect ears and dished fore head
Long and deep body
Snout length is medium
Mature body weight : Male : 300-400 Kg.
Female : 230 – 320 Kg.
Middle white Yorkshire: UK
Developed from crossing Small and Large White Yorkshire
extensively used to upgrade desi pigs as it is smaller in size
Early maturity, rapid growth and can be raised on pasture
But not prolific as that of Large white Yorkshire.
Mature body weight Male: 250-350Kgs.
Female-180-270Kgs.
- Land race : Denmark – Bacon Breed
White with blackspot,
Long snout
excellently suited for upgrading desi pigs as it needs less feed resources for their maintenance and efficient converter of feed.
Suitable for breeding smaller desi pigs
Mature body weight:Male: 270 – 360 Female: 200-300
Housing
Housing of Boars
Boar pen should have covered area of 6.25-7.5 m2 and open area of 8.8-12 m2 for exercise. The walls should have a minimum height of 1.5 m.
Housing of Female
Open yard type with partial roofing as in the case of boar may be provided. A total of 10-15 females can be grouped in a pen. An area of 2 m2 per animal may be provided.
Housing of Farrowing sows
Farrowing sows may be housed individually in a farrowing pen of 2.5 x 4.0 = 10.0 m2 having guard rails, creep area, feed and water troughs.
Housing of growing and finishing pigs
A covered concrete yard for feeding and resting having feed and water trough arranged in the front side and an open yard in the rear will suffice for fatteners. The total space requirement may be 2 m2 per grower/fattener pig.
Feeding Management
Pigs are monogastric animals and can utilize fibrous food only to a limited extent. Adult pigs can utilize fibrous food better than young stock.
Part of the protein in the diet of pigs should come from animal source such as fish, meat etc. Pigs should be fed at regular intervals.
Fresh feed should be put only after removal of the previous feed from the feed trough.
Pig rearing based on commercial pig feed is not economical and hence feeding based on swill is recommended. On an average, pig requires 4-8 kg swill per day.
All categories of pigs can be given small quantity of fodder or may be sent to pasture.
Ad libitum feeding using an automatic feeder (which can be fabricated using 200 litre oil drum) may be practiced for weaned pigs to avoid post-weaning weight depression.
Feeding of boars
A breeding boar requires 2-2.5 kg concentrate per 100 kg weight depending on the age, condition and breeding demand.
Feed allowances should be so adjusted that the pig is neither fatty nor run down. How To Raise Pigs Greens should be provided if kept indoors.
Year-round pasture is excellent if it could be provided from the stand point of providing both the needed exercise and valuable nutrients.
Feeding of female
The demands resulting from pregnancy and need for conserving nutrients for ensuing lactation are accelerated during the later stage of pregnancy. The increased needs are for proteins, vitamins and minerals.
Mature sows gain 30-35 kg and gilts 40-45 kg during pregnancy. Feed should be so regulated that sows and gilts are never over fat or thin. Individual feeding is preferred. Flushing is a practice of giving extra feed to sows and gilts from 1-2 weeks prior to mating and returns to normal feeding after mating.
Feeding of Farrowing Sow and Litter
Feed lightly with bulky laxative feed immediately before and after farrowing. Bring the sow to full feeding in 10 days. Plenty of greens may be provided.
Feed allowance may be calculated as 2.5-3 kg/100 kg body weight plus at the rate of 0.2 kg feed per piglet with the sow. Thus, a sow weighing 100 kg with 8 piglets should receive 4.6 kg feed per day.
Creep feeding:
The practice of self-feeding concentrates to young piglets in a separate enclosure away from their mother is known as creep feeding. Creep feed should be given when piglets are two weeks old.
Each active and healthy piglet may consume about 10 kg feed before reaching the age of 8 weeks and two-third of this consumed between 6-8 weeks.
SWILL FEEDING
Swill (kitchen waste including left over of human food, vegetables, meat and fish cuttings): Composition and quantity vary so greatly that it is difficult to indicate feeding values.
It has been observed that pigs weighing 30 kg reached a body weight of 70 kg in 70 days when fed exclusively on kitchen waste. Ensure that swill feed is not old and putrefied. On an average 4 – 8 kg swill is needed per pig per day.
Feeding of growing and finishing pigs:
The pigs may be given complete feed they can consume to attain maximum growth. Alternatively, they may be fed a fixed quantity twice or thrice a day.
Yet another method that they may be fed all the quantity they consume within a fixed time of 30-45 minutes or so.
On an average, the post-weaning feed conversion efficiency till market weight may be about 4 i.e. this much quantity of feed would be used by the pig to gain one kg of weight.
However, it varies considerably with age and ambient temperature. Protein requirements are greater during early life. As fattening progresses, protein per cent in the ration may be decreased.
This period may be considered from weaning (9-10 kg) to the slaughter weight of 90-100 kg. Entire males, castrates and females can be fattened for meat purposes.
The entire males and females may have higher feed conversion efficiency than castrates. Castration if required may be done at the age of 3-6 weeks.
Castrates are more docile and put on slightly more fat. Growers may be grouped according to sex, size and weight as uniformly as possible.
The difference in weight between the small and large pig in a lot should not be more than 20%. Up to 15 pigs may be conveniently put together in a pen. In summer, sprinklers, wallowing tanks.
Care of Piglets
Take care of new born piglets by providing guard rails.
Treat / disinfect the navel cord with tincture of iodine as soon as it is cut with a sharp knife.
Feed on mothers ‘milk for first 6-8 weeks along with creep feed.
Protect the piglets against extreme weather conditions, particularly during the first two months.
Needle teeth should be clipped shortly after birth.
Vaccinate the piglets as per recommended vaccination schedule.
Supplementation of Iron to prevent piglet anaemia is necessary.
The piglets meant for sale as breeder stock must be reared properly.
Male piglets not selected for breeding should be castrated preferably at the age of 3-4 weeks which will prevent the boar odour in the cooked meat thus it enables production of quality meat.
Additional feed requirements of lactating sow must be ensured for proper nursing of all the piglets born.
Here are frequently asked questions (FAQs) about how to raising pigs for profit:
1. What are the best pig breeds for profitable farming?
- Common profitable breeds include Duroc, Yorkshire, Hampshire, and Landrace for meat, and Vietnamese Pot-bellied or Kunekune for specialty markets.
2. How much space do pigs need to grow efficiently?
- Pigs need 8–12 sq. ft. per pig in a pen and 20–50 sq. ft. per pig if pasture-raised. Overcrowding leads to stress and disease.
3. What is the best feed for fast and cost-effective growth?
- Commercial pig pellets (16–18% protein) are common, but supplementing with corn, soy, kitchen scraps, and forage can reduce costs.
4. How long does it take to raise a pig for slaughter?
- Most pigs reach market weight (250–300 lbs) in 5–6 months with proper feeding.
5. What vaccinations do pigs need?
- Common vaccines include those for hog cholera, erysipelas, porcine circovirus (PCV2), and Mycoplasma. Consult a vet for a local schedule.
6. How do I control diseases and parasites in pigs?
- Deworm regularly, keep pens clean, quarantine new pigs, and practice biosecurity measures.
7. What are the biggest challenges in pig farming?
- Disease outbreaks, feed costs, market price fluctuations, and waste management are common challenges.
8. How much does it cost to raise a pig to market weight?
- Costs vary, but 200–200–400 per pig (feed, vet care, housing, etc.) is typical. Profit depends on selling price.
9. How can I market my pigs for maximum profit?
- Sell to local butchers, farmers’ markets, restaurants, or directly to consumers (whole/half pigs). Organic/pasture-raised pigs fetch premium prices.
10. What is the ideal temperature for pig farming?
- Pigs thrive at 60–70°F (15–21°C). Provide shade in summer and warmth in winter (straw bedding, heat lamps).
11. How many pigs should I start with as a beginner?
- Start small (5–10 pigs) to gain experience before scaling up.
12. Can I raise pigs on pasture? Is it profitable?
- Yes, pasture-raised pigs have lower feed costs and can be sold at a premium for “free-range” or “organic” labeling.
13. How do I manage pig waste effectively?
- Use composting, biogas systems, or lagoon storage to turn manure into fertilizer or energy.
14. What are the legal requirements for starting a pig farm?
- Check local zoning laws, permits, and USDA regulations (if selling meat commercially). Some areas restrict pig farming due to odor.
15. How do I maximize feed efficiency and reduce costs?
- Use feed additives (like enzymes), ferment feed, or supplement with low-cost alternatives (vegetable waste, whey, etc.).