Fattening up a Pig

[Boots]

I would very much like suggestions on fattening up my pig.

He is a White Landrace and is due to go to the butchers now, but I am holding off a bit because to me, he looks very long and not at all like the last one I sent.

The first one was raised on oats, corn, sugar cane and home brew. This guy has grown up on oats, ground coconut husks, citrus and just recently milk.

Can anyone suggest something that I can bulk him up on?

[Andy Hamilton]

I was given pig in day DVD by the people at river cottage. I will have to watch it and see what suggestions they come up with.

BTW river cottage is a program all about selfsufficiency (sort of) here in the UK.

[Tigerhair]

As much as he will eat! Barley meal, maize meal, potatoes, artichokes, carrots, fodder beet, parsnips, turnips/swedes + milk. The barley/maize meals will do the best job of fattening - but he will need a protein supplement (i.e. the milk). Is he kept out of doors? He will use a lot of energy keeping warm in this weather (assuming you are in a cold climate!). I hope this helps some. (some help there from Mr Seymour)...

[floot]

Boots,


Cracked maize/corn is a great feed and should be available in your area. Preferably soaked but dry is fine if you are short on time.

It is a good feed for pigs and will lay down hard fat and assist marbling. I would use this as a base and ad-lib whatever you can throw in there.

Boil any scraps in a pan after dinner add about 2 litres of cracked corn by volume add plenty of water, stir it and let it sit overnight. Feed another 2 litres of maize at bedtime.

Piggy should have cleaned it all up in about 20 minutes wander off and then sleep.

Remember not to feed Piggy the night before the butchers. I gave mine red cordial on the last day so they drank heaps and were well cleaned out.

[Boots]

Ok, will up the milk. Have an extra goat in milk at the moment so can just milk her for him.

If the shops ever open again... I will try tracking down some cracked corn and barley.

Many thanks