The Vietnamese pot-bellied pig, like any pig of any breed, needs nutritious, vitamin-rich feed. Composing a diet for a Vietnamese pig takes a little longer than it takes for a selection of feed for white pigs, this is due to some physiological characteristics of the breed, such as:

1. The stomach of a Vietnamese pig is small, and therefore piglets and adult pigs do not need a lot of food, on average they consume several hundred kilograms less than ordinary pigs;

2. The intestine of a Vietnamese pig is very thin, all feed passes through it without lingering, so there will be no benefit from feeding with grain, it will just come out with the manure;

3. Vietnamese pigs are herbivores, the more herbs, greens, fruits and vegetables in their diet, the more meat will be added and the less the proportion of fat will be;

4. Pigs of this breed are extremely sensitive to everything spoiled and of low quality, they will never eat poisonous grass.

What and how to feed Vietnamese weaning pigs

Vietnamese piglets are in dire need of protein and high protein content, unbalanced nutrition can negatively affect further growth and fertility. It is especially important to choose the right feed immediately after weaning the gilts from the sow, since during the period of breastfeeding they do not fully, but still receive a sufficient amount of the necessary substances, while weaning deprives the piglets of such an opportunity and even threatens the complete loss of the young.

During the weaning period, Vietnamese pigs should be fed with at least 20% protein, 5% fat and approximately 3% fiber. A large amount of protein is needed for piglets up to 6 months of age. You can correctly calculate the daily feed rate by knowing the weight of an individual piglet, it is 2.5% of its total weight. Salivation plays an important role in feeding, its increase allows the piglet to better absorb food, which is why it is best to present feed for piglets, as well as for adult pigs, in the form of thick cereals, while using a large amount of compound feed is undesirable. The compound feed affects the deposition of fatty glands in the pig, and in the case of Vietnamese pigs, the appearance of fat is more than undesirable. The obese Vietnamese pig loses the ability to fertilize and give birth to beautiful healthy piglets. That is why it is important to monitor the diet of a Vietnamese pig as closely as possible and start systematically keeping track of feed intake from the time of weaning.

Feeding pregnant and lactating Vietnamese pigs

During gestation and feeding of piglets, sows are in dire need of nutrients and supplements, they can easily get them by eating hay, green vegetables and fruits. The amount of protein in the feed should be at least 16%, the level of fiber at around 15%, and fat at 3%. You can feed with cereals, where it is a good idea to add premixes, raw eggs and fish oil, in the amount of one egg and one spoonful of fish oil per bucket of porridge. One bucket of porridge in the amount of 10 liters is enough for three pigs, while the mentioned additives must be alternated and added to food not regularly, but only about three days a week. Fish oil should be given exclusively in the morning, pigs should be fed no more than twice a day, and the risk of obesity should be avoided. Thus, about 6 liters of porridge per day per pig, as well as a large number of pumpkins, zucchini and other greens. Vietnamese pigs also go well with cucumbers, carrots, tops and charcoal. It is necessary to formulate the diet individually, based on the weight, age and size of the sow. It is also necessary to take into account how long the sow is, what degree of emaciation, or obesity she has. It should be fed so that the sow does not become obese, sometimes arranging starvation for her, their purpose is to prevent the pig from suffocating the piglets with its fat, a large amount of fat also negatively affects the quantity and quality of milk, its nutritional value.

Feeding adult Vietnamese pigs: fattening

The Vietnamese pop-bellied pig is intended for fattening for bacon, which is why culled and unsuitable for breeding pigs are fed in a special way. Bacon has a high enough nutritional value, good taste, long shelf life and ease of preparation. Meat for bacon is juicy, tender, has a bright color and a small fat layer, this is the kind of meat that Vietnamese pigs give when properly fed. Rye and millet are ideal feeds for bacon feeding. Feeding pigs with corn and oats will increase the percentage of fat in the bacon, which means its taste and nutritional qualities will decrease. In connection with the above, the feed ration of Vietnamese pigs intended for bacon fattening must include return, in the amount of 1 liter per pig per day, and grass flour, the amount of which should not be less than 5%. On large pig farms, a similar diet is supplemented with meat - bone meal, feed yeast, peas and cake. Particular attention should be paid to juicy feed, for which it is simply necessary to arrange a pen or pasture for the pigs. In the fresh air, Vietnamese pigs will noticeably gain weight, while avoiding such dangerous obesity. Root crops - potatoes, carrots and beets - are of great benefit to Vietnamese pigs (you should not lean on them). Potatoes and carrots, as well as zucchini, can be given in unlimited quantities.

Methods to combat obesity

Folds, drooping cheeks and belly are the first sign that a well-fed beautiful pig, from which it is calculated to get about 80 kilograms of meat, has turned into a fat hog, so swollen with fat that in some cases even the eyes cease to be visible. There is only one method of fighting obesity of the Vietnamese pig - constant physical activity. Pigs need not only be chased around the pen, but do it at high speed, as the animals become covered with sweat, fat will come out. This should be done for about 5-8 minutes several times a day. Those who consider such runs to be a waste of time will have to come to terms with the high proportion of fat in the carcass of a pig when slaughtered. Cutting the diet in half, the second, and even a complete refusal to feed for a while will not help, you can lose weight only in the fresh air and running.

You can check how serious the problem of obesity is by touching the ribs of a Vietnamese pig, if they are not felt - it's time to sound the alarm and try to make the pig lose weight.

Obesity consequences

The main consequence of obesity, the cause of which, as it has already been found out - unhealthy diet, can be heart failure, arthritis, kidney disease. Thick bags form around the eyes of an overweight pig, which prevent the animal from seeing, sometimes obesity reaches such an extent that the pig needs an operation to save eyesight. Of course, such an operation is necessary only on the condition that the pig is used as a pet, in other cases, the only way out is slaughter.

Obesity can also be avoided by dosing the daily rate of compound feed. A pig weighing up to 50 kilograms needs about 250 grams of compound feed per day, no more, anything that exceeds this figure contributes to the deposition of fat folds. The distribution of feed on an industrial scale is carried out along a conveyor, the feed enters the feeders in the required doses, at home you should choose a special container for dosing.

Nutrient deficiency in feed. Dangerous feed

Vietnamese pigs rarely experience nutrient deficiencies because, unlike conventional pigs, feeding is part of their normal diet. In order to avoid energy and nutrient deficiencies, pigs need to be regularly fed vitamin E capsules and selenium. Dosage methods should be discussed with your veterinarian.

As mentioned above, Vietnamese pigs rarely get sick, but this does not apply to diseases caused by a disorder of the digestive system. Bad, low-quality compound feed, the expiration date of which has expired, can very significantly spoil the life of the owners and the health of the pigs. The shelf life of compound feed should not be more than 3 months, all vegetables should be washed before use, otherwise the pigs may be in danger of death.

Things to Remember When Feeding Purchased Pigs

After purchasing several Vietnamese piglets, you should start by asking the seller on the spot what they ate at home. A sharp change in diet will lead to illness and a possible loss of viability of suckling pigs, which will be almost impossible to restore, the piglets will stop growing, eat and subsequently will not be able to become purebred sexually mature Vietnamese pigs.

You can also feed Vietnamese pigs with compound feed, some owners prefer to make compound feed at home, on their own, preferring to do it according to the well-known formula: Barley - 40%, Wheat - 30%, Oats - 10%, Peas - 10%, Corn - 10%, the less there will be corn, the better, it contributes to obesity more than all other products, while others buy ready-made feed. The latter act more correctly in the case of Vietnamese pigs, the purchased compound feed is already balanced in the required composition, it does not need additions, the main thing is to choose a reliable supplier.

Thus, having familiarized yourself with the above, we can say with confidence that the farmer is insured against the first mistakes associated with improper feeding, caution with feed for Vietnamese pigs - first of all, the experience in feeding will come with time. The main thing is to do everything with caution, not forgetting about the delicate stomach of the pigs.

Video: Feeding Vietnamese pigs at home in winter:

Domestic pig breeders have recently very popularized the breed of Vietnamese piglets. These animals are really unpretentious and easy to care for. They can even be kept in an apartment (if space permits), which are only stories about celebrities who have adopted pigs as pets! But if you have a private house or summer cottage with a plot, then this is a great reason to learn more about caring for Vietnamese piglets. Not only will you provide yourself with meat, but you can also build a good business.

Breed benefits

Compared to the traditional pig breeds we are accustomed to, raising Vietnamese piglets is much easier and more profitable as it requires less costs.

1. Piglets of this breed do not require a lot of grain feed. When calculating the diet, you can safely leave 80% for green fodder - weeds, leaves, tops of vegetable crops.
2. Thanks to the predominantly succulent herbal feed, the meat is softer and more tender. The lard layer is small due to the mobile lifestyle compared to white pigs.
3. Vietnamese piglets are much less susceptible to diseases, therefore they do not need mandatory vaccinations.
4. Pigs grow very quickly and gain weight. They enter puberty at the age of 3-4 months.
5. If you are planning to breed Vietnamese piglets, then you can count on two farrows per year. Each litter produces more than 10 piglets. Sows are very attentive to the offspring, so raising and caring for them will not bring you any special worries.
6. Piglets of this breed are distinguished by a calm, balanced character. Sows do not refuse to feed, do not cripple offspring, so everything in the pigsty is usually quiet and measured.
7. Contrary to popular belief, piglets are clean and well distinguish between the "toilet" and the sleeping place in the pigsty, which makes cleaning easier.

Most of the diet of pot-bellied Vietnamese piglets is grass

If you protect your pigs well from cold and drafts, as well as correctly calculate their diet, then the breed's shortcomings will not even reveal themselves. It should be borne in mind that roughage is poorly digested, as well as whole raw grains. It is better to cook steamed porridge from crushed grain.

Vietnamese Pig Myths: Make No Mistakes

Of course, such a breed could not help but acquire legends about its remarkableness. This is especially facilitated by breeders who are ready to exaggerate the benefits in order to sell the product faster and more profitably. Therefore, now I will draw your attention to the most common myths that need to be treated with caution.

Piglets reach a weight of 10 kg by three months of age

1. They say that Vietnamese piglets can only eat grass, so you don't need to feed. This is not so: animals, of course, will not starve to death on pasture, but you will not get a good weight gain and offspring.
2. The next myth: piglets can reach a weight of 10 kg by one month of age. In fact, the average weight per month is 4-5 kg, and only some specimens grow up to 6-7 kg. Ten kilograms is the normal body weight of a piglet at 2-3 months.
3. The Vietnamese pig breed is early maturing and piglets can be mated at five months of age. This is only partially true under breeding conditions. Indeed, males begin to train skills as early as a month old, and females are ready for fertilization at 3-4 months. But healthy and numerous offspring will be in the event that crossing is carried out when the pig reaches a weight of 30 kg.

Pay attention to these features to avoid future misunderstandings.

We equip the pigsty and the walking area

It is better to make a pigsty solid, made of brick or stone. The floor should be made of concrete, with an ebb through which it is convenient to clean the surface. In each cage, make a 3/3 square wooden platform so that the pigs do not lie on the concrete floor during the cold season. Thus, there will be a sleeping place on the platform, and a toilet and a dining room on the concrete.

You do not have to equip the platforms, but replace them with bedding material:

• straw;
• leaves; sawdust;
• grass.

True, a lot of such material may be needed, and cleaning will take more time. On the other hand, the spent bedding can be used in the compost pit for fertilization.

Set up a solid pigsty for your piglets

Make the ceilings in the pigsty at least 2 meters, for your own convenience. The recommended area of ​​the sow pen is 4-4.5 square meters, it can accommodate two adult pigs or one with small piglets. For an adult boar-producer, a machine with an area of ​​3 square meters is enough. Plan an aisle wide enough for the manure wheelbarrow to pass easily.

Be sure to provide good ventilation in the pigsty to keep the brood healthy and strong during the growing season.

Vietnamese piglets over three months of age easily tolerate freezing temperatures. But a sow with newborn piglets will require maintaining the temperature at 20C for some time. Therefore, heating will be required: a Russian stove, a gas convector, an air heater.

In the warm season, it is better to keep a herd of piglets outdoors during daylight hours. Constant walking will provide the pigs with strong immunity and better weight gain. For one adult sow, the optimal area will be 1 hundred square meters of land.

Organize a mud bath on the outdoor area: dig a 2x2 m hole about 30 cm deep and fill it with water from time to time. Also, dig in a few logs on the site so that the piglets can scratch their sides on them. Build a light canopy to hide from the sun or rain.

Nutritional features of young animals and adults

Adult Vietnamese pigs eat often, but little by little. In the summer, it is better to feed twice a day - in the morning and in the evening, during the rest of the day they themselves will find food if they graze on the grass. In winter, animals can be fed for lunch. The cost of buying feed will cost you a penny. You will have to spend money on small piglets and pregnant females: their diet will require special feed and additives.

Among the grasses, pigs are most fond of clover, amaranth and alfalfa. In winter, use hay, which will serve as both a good comfortable bedding and food. Boiled potatoes, pumpkin, zucchini, fodder beets, mixed root vegetables and steamed compound feed or grain will make up the main diet of animals in winter.

Take care of proper feeding

Please note: not everyone has the opportunity to grow on their site a sufficient amount of vegetables and cereals to feed the entire herd. Choose your feed supplier carefully to obtain quality assurance. This also applies to ready-made feed and mixtures.

With such a diet, a Vietnamese pig is able to gain about 110 kg of live weight in 10 months of life. It is easy enough to calculate the economic feasibility of breeding this breed if you record the amount of feed consumed, both purchased and from your own plot.

How to feed the pigs?

What treatment is required

Vietnamese pigs really rarely get sick. With their unpretentiousness, they are still quite picky about food, they are well versed in the benefits or harms of plants, so they are not threatened with poisoning. But prevention of helminths should be carried out regularly, from 45 days, and after - every quarter. To do this, use:

• ecomectin subcutaneously;
• ivermectin subcutaneously;
• albendozdol for food;
• fonbendazole for food.

In the event of an intestinal disorder during the transition to new feeds, small pigs are given a solution of "Smekta", for older individuals - "Biovit" for food. For better development, add vitamin complexes to the feed. By the way, experts recommend not to give too many medicines and vitamins, and, if possible, do with folk remedies. For example, pumpkin seeds and salted fish will help get rid of worms, and decoction of oak bark will cure diarrhea.

Vietnamese pot-bellied piglets have strong immunity

While the piglets are small, they need to pierce the iron, for example, the drug "Suiferrovit", on the 3rd and 10th day of life. This gives good growth results.

It is not recommended for deeply pregnant sows to be vaccinated, except for vaccination against salmonellosis in exceptional cases, 40 and 30 days before farrowing. The plague and erysipelas are pierced like this: piglets - according to the schedule, sows - after the cubs are weaned. It is better not to vaccinate during the feeding period.

Weaning of the brood from the mother should be carried out when the piglets reach the age of two months. Sows are very caring, they are ready to feed the cubs to the last, which will lead to complete exhaustion. In addition, at this age, small pigs, as a rule, already eat normal food and do not experience any discomfort.

What else do you need to know when breeding piglets?

If your goal is to raise healthy, large pigs, there are a few more rules to follow.

The mating should be carried out at a certain age - about a year

1. Do not happen to small Vietnamese pigs, it is better to wait about a year. Such a pig lives for 20-30 years, and is capable of bringing two broods every year. All the while, you will have larger, stronger offspring.
2. Remember: the offspring will be large if the mother is large. You should not expect records from little pigs' pigs.
3. The size of the boar does not really matter, but it is still desirable that it is not small either. From the boar, the piglets will be transferred, endurance, assertiveness, vitality. If a boar is a lazy, amorphous, obese breeder, then he will not give good offspring.
4. If in the first weeks of life the piglets were left without a sow, then usually they will lag behind their peers in both growth and development.
5. Feeding piglets - suckers with cow or goat milk gives tangible results, and is especially important if the cubs are left without a mother.
6. There is a myth that sows are easy to pig on their own, without assistance. This is not true. Sometimes labor is delayed for a long time, the fetus is not located correctly, and you need to be an obstetrician, or even call a veterinarian. It is best to keep farrowing under control.
7. In the case of a serious illness of a piglet, if you managed to leave it, do not expect that it will develop in the same way as its healthy brothers.
8. If there is such an opportunity, 12 hours after covering the female with one male, use the second, or even better, again after 12 hours, confirm with the third manufacturer. If, at the same time, all individuals are not related, then the offspring, when they grow up, can greatly surpass their parents in size.

Vietnamese pig breeding video

If you have experience in keeping piglets of this breed, share with us in the comments, or ask questions that you have. We hope that our tips will help you grow healthy, large and robust individuals.

- a profitable event, since the breed is one of the unpretentious, the pigs have an enviable appetite and grow quickly. Piglets are bred for fattening or for breeding, and the ration is formulated in accordance with the purpose of rearing. What are the benefits of breeding Vietnamese pigs? They have a large yield of meat. A piglet begins to grow overgrown with fat already at a weight of 35 kg, and by 10 months of age its weight can reach 110 kg. This is practically an adult animal. The rapid build-up of meat and lard is the benefit of the Vietnamese pig breed.

The whole process of feeding piglets of this breed can be conditionally divided into 3 stages, at each of which the menu changes:

The diet of Vietnamese piglets changes as they grow.

1. The milk period is the first 4 weeks of feeding. Since this is the period when piglets are weaned from the uterus, cow or goat milk must be present in the diet.
2. The rearing period is the next 4 months, during which the animal must be provided with conditions for muscle and bone growth. Piglets at this age are fed with young and tender grass. At this age, it is important to get maximum vitamins to ensure normal growth.
3. During the fattening period, vegetable waste is actively introduced into the diet, potato peelings are possible, which cause an increased growth of the greasy layer.

How to feed newborn Vietnamese piglets

There is no better feed for newborn piglets than mother's milk. However, after the 1st week of life, the amount of milk in the mother decreases, and the piglets begin to grow intensively, which dictates the need to introduce complementary foods. Monthly piglets should be weaned completely from their mother.

If the piglets are not weaned from the nipple in time, they will then eat porridge badly. Therefore, from the 1st week of life, feeding begins to be given in troughs. Roasted grains of wheat, barley, corn are given as the first bait. The grains scratch the gums and reduce the discomfort during teething. In the diet of piglets, liquid oatmeal or milk barley porridge must be present. For piglets for 2 weeks, the porridge is cooked on skim. After weaning from the uterus, young hay, grass and other succulent feed should be the main food.

How many times to feed Vietnamese piglets: the diet of young animals from 1 to 6 months

Vietnamese piglets are unpretentious and eat almost the same as other pig breeds.

A piglet at the age of 2 months is fed 3-4 times a day.

The diet varies by month:

• Until 2 months of age, how much to feed a piglet? It needs to be fed no less and no more than 7 times a day, which guarantees uninterrupted digestion. Regularity is very important in feeding suckling pigs. If the young are fed at the same time, then by this moment the gastric juice is already being produced, thanks to which the food is absorbed better.
• At 2 months, the piglet is recommended 3 meals a day. The diet should include boiled beets, potatoes, pumpkin. Rye and wheat will be helpful. The daily feed rate for one individual should be approximately 3 kg. A mixture consisting of nettles, legumes, whey and 10 g of salt will also be useful.
• At 3 months, muscle and bone mass begins to form. Therefore, piglets need an increased amount of protein. The diet during this period should already reach 4 kg per individual.
• At 7 months, the piglet's daily diet is increased to 6 kg.
• At 8 months old, the piglet begins to gain fat. From this time on, the animal can be fed with peas, corn, vegetables and fruits. To get fast growth, you can use granular, wet and loose feed.

Vegetables are included in the diet of Vietnamese piglets after they are 2 months old.

How to feed pigs in winter

In the process of feeding Vietnamese pigs, a novice farmer may have a question: how to properly feed piglets in the cold season. In winter, the number of feedings increases from two to three. The grass is replaced with dry tops and hay. Since there is little protein in cereals, animals need to be supplemented with oilcake, legumes, yeast, fish meal and skim milk. Grains and acorns should be 20% of the total diet. In the cold season, you need to increase the amount of compound feed and make mash with bran.

Important. If possible, additional premixes, mineral supplements and vitamins should be added to the menu. For an adult pig, Liprot should be added to the porridge at the rate of 4 tablespoons. on the bucket. A growing piglet needs Prelak supplementation according to the instructions. Be sure to enter 2 tablespoons. fish oil in a bucket at least 10 days a month.

How and what is the best way to feed Vietnamese pigs: the composition of the diet

Of course, the Vietnamese pig breed is known for its omnivorous nature. They will eat whatever they find in and around their feeder. However, not everything will suit them as food. The Vietnamese breed is considered bacon, which means that foods that promote active fat deposition are undesirable for them.

It is better to replace roughage with fresh grass.

These pigs also have digestive features peculiar only to their breed. The Vietnamese have a smaller stomach than other breeds, and they also have a smaller intestine. As a result, food moves faster through the digestive tract and has less time to be absorbed. However, due to the small intestine volume, in comparison with traditional pigs, roughage is poorly digested in the body of Vietnamese, and is much better suited for feeding - greens, clover, alfalfa, etc.

For food to be well digested in the stomachs of pot bellies, it must be well chewed. Therefore, liquid food is contraindicated for pets. A thick brew, raw vegetables, juicy fruits (like apples and pears) are much more useful for them. You can safely feed the pigs with cleanings, waste from the owner's kitchen, grinding and boiled potatoes. The main thing is to offer a variety of food in small quantities.

An excellent option for feeding is self-made or, if available, industrial. It is better to mix the compound feed with the bran so that it is better absorbed. Grain is also not suitable for all: barley, wheat and rye are the most easily digestible. However, they cannot be offered whole, but must be steamed until a thick gruel. For example, a portion of concentrated feed should be poured into a bucket, and then filled with water at the rate of 4 liters. 8 liters. boiling water. One such bucket should be filled with one second dessert spoon of salt. Cover the bucket and leave to infuse for 12 hours.

Before slaughter, the diet of pigs practically does not change. The best growth rates of the pig and an increase in the quality of meat can be achieved by a competent combination of green feed with compound feed.

An excellent diet for Vietnamese gilts is a combination of green and combined feed.

The following mixture is ideal:

• barley - 40 percent;
• wheat - 30 percent;
• oats - 10 percent;
• peas - 10 percent;
• corn - 10 percent.

Reference. The cheaper the feed, the more cost-effective the reproduction process for gilts. At home, the process of growing pigs on purchased feed can hardly be called highly profitable. Therefore, you need to immediately think about the possibility of self-growing cereals or the possibility of buying them first-hand at an affordable price in quantities necessary for keeping gilts.

To get products of sufficient quality at a low cost, you can learn how to prepare feed mixtures yourself.

What you can't feed Vietnamese pigs and pigs

You cannot feed the pot-bellied breed only with oats and corn. The above crops contribute to excessive fat deposition, and this spoils the quality of meat and negatively affects the health of pets. The amount of grain in compound feed should not exceed 10%. Due to physiological characteristics, animals digest poorly fodder beets and straw.

The grain in the diet of Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs should not exceed 10%.

Tips and tricks from farmers for fattening Vietnamese piglets

Of course, it is economically feasible to feed piglets with high-quality compound feed until the age of 5 months, all the same, their consumption does not exceed 400 g per individual per day. Of the grasses, piglets prefer clover, alfalfa, young nettles, sainfoin and quinoa.

After a set of 30 kg, piglets already begin to fatten, and growth slows down significantly. At the same time, the consumption of feed is also reduced, because the tumbler does not need a lot of feed for normal life. It is recommended to feed ad libitum only piglets whose weight has not yet reached 20 kg. And keeping adult animals is much cheaper than young animals up to 5 months old. And already at 5 months, young pigs are ready for the first coating.

It is interesting. If you want to get an excellent taste of lard, the fattening needs to be extended to 7-8 months. Up to 25-30 kg pigs of this breed grow quickly and do not get fat. Therefore, it is in the interests of the owner to achieve a weight of 20-30 kg in the wards as quickly as possible. The bell-bellies are very responsive to the conditions of detention and to the quality of feeding.

Vietnamese piglets begin to gain fat after 4-5 months.

As for adult gilts, different specialists give different recommendations on the optimal daily amount of feed. One is recommended to feed with food in an amount from 2% to 2.5% of body weight. Others suggest giving 1 glass of food (or 250 g) daily if the pig weighs less than 50 kg. These are generalized principles, and Vietnamese pot bellies owners should individually determine the pet diet depending on the growing purpose.

Important. Another nuance that you need to pay attention to is cystitis, which is the most common disease of the genitourinary system of the breed. The constant availability of water for drinking in the free access will help prevent an increase in the pH level of urine. Excess carbohydrate food can also lead to the development of cystitis.

Many farmers are concerned about whether it is possible to feed pigs with raw potatoes: after all, this is an inexpensive and affordable type of feed.

For greasy fattening, well-boiled potatoes are introduced into the diet of pigs.

For meat and fat feeding, boiled potatoes are more suitable. Raw potatoes contain a toxic substance called solanine, which passes into water when cooked. Therefore, both potatoes and their peelings must be boiled before use for food.

Another frequently asked question for novice farmers: how to feed piglets in the spring? In early spring, as well as in the autumn season, piglets must be added to their usual diet with complementary foods: rice flour. In the warm season - in spring and summer, animals should receive food in the form of grain and compound feed mixed with bran. One serving should contain 0.7 liters of this mixture. On average, a Vietnamese pig should eat 300 g of grain per day. This amount is sufficient to maintain good body condition and high immunity. Feeding in the warm season should be 2. Grass, vegetables and fruits of piglets can be fed constantly.

The diet of Vietnamese gilts should be of high quality, fresh and well balanced. Only under this condition can you expect good weight gain in pigs.

How to feed Vietnamese piglets is one of the frequently asked questions of both farmers and livestock breeders. For the last 5 years, this breed of pigs has been gaining popularity in the world. They have their own characteristics of care, their observance is mandatory in order to get healthy young animals.

Vietnamese pigs: description

For the first time, the breed of Vietnamese piglets was bred in Asia. In their homeland they are called pot-bellied pigs. The name "Vietnamese" got from the country from which they were first brought to the territory of America and Europe. The breed quickly found supporters among farmers.

Vietnamese piglets are officially classified as Asian herbivorous pigs. Their belly sags down very much. They are black, although there may be others. The average weight of an adult animal is 75-80 kg. If held for a long period - up to 145 kg.

Benefits of Vietnamese pigs

The bell-bellies have a number of advantages that are unique to their breed.

They made these animals popular with farmers around the world:

The positive qualities of Vietnamese gilts depend on which young were selected for fattening. The purchase of the first young animals should be carried out in proven farms. It is imperative to examine the conditions of their detention, to inquire about the parents. The conditions of keeping and feeding, the farmer's approach to business, play an important role.

Features of feeding Vietnamese pigs

Those who decide to raise Vietnamese pigs at home should adhere to the main recommendations for feeding animals - how much and how to give food:

• Give small portions of food to piglets, but often.
• Avoid feeding too liquid or roughage to avoid damaging the esophagus or reducing the amount of saliva produced.
• The ideal food consistency is mushy. That's it, it is advisable to chop the fruit finely, grate it on a coarse grater.
• Allowed food in the form of waste from the table, boiled potatoes or soaked bread.
• Using mixed feed mixtures, the best proportion will be the use of crops such as barley, wheat, oats, in a% ratio of 4: 3: 1: 1: 1.

It is important to stick to the ratio of protein, fat and fiber in the diet. On average, the amount of fiber - 4% , fat - up to 6.5%, the amount of protein increases from 20 to 40% depending on age.

The feeding process of Vietnamese pigs can be divided into periods:

• Lactic. The first month of life of young animals belongs to it. During this period, cow or goat milk is added to the food. This is due to the fact that at one week of age they are completely weaned from their mother's milk.
• Growing period- 2-6 months of growth of animals - the main growth, the formation of the muscular and skeletal systems of pigs. It is necessary to provide appropriate conditions for care and nutrition. Make sure that there is a sufficient amount of fortified food, tender and young greens.
• Feeding period. In order for a good layer of fat and meat to grow in piglets, you need to add more potatoes and vegetable waste to the diet (if this was not there before).

Conditions for keeping and feeding piglets

The place where Vietnamese piglets grow and eat must meet certain criteria:

How to feed Vietnamese piglets?

The diet of small (and even more so for newborn pigs) is significantly different from that of adults. In order not to disrupt the process of development and growth, to raise healthy animals, it is important to observe these features.

How to feed newborn piglets?

As with most animals, for Vietnamese newborn piglets, the best food in the early days is mother's milk.

If the mother refuses to feed the day-old baby, it is allowed to feed with infant formula.They put food in special small troughs. The first complementary food may consist of lightly crushed grains of corn, barley, wheat.

Chewing small particles of grain has a positive effect on their teething. It helps relieve itching and discomfort. In the first month and a half, be sure to add liquid oatmeal or barley porridge as food.

After the Vietnamese piglets are weaned from their mother, add healthy feed, grass or fresh hay to the diet.

How to feed piglets from 1 to 6 months old?

Vietnamese piglets during this period do not overdo their food and can eat the same foods as ordinary pigs.

Until 6 months of age, gradually increase the amount of feed to 5 kg. At 7 months, the amount increases by another 1 kg. After 7 months, Vietnamese piglets begin to build up fat. From this point on, you can safely introduce peas, corn, fruits and vegetables as a permanent product. Loose wet feed is also recommended.

The diet of Vietnamese pigs differs not only by age, but also by season. What dietary changes should be made during the summer and winter periods?

Feeding in the summer

In the summer, finding fresh food for these animals is much easier.

You can graze more than once in green areas and at the same time organize good nutrition 2 times a day:

• In the morning, it can be a cereal porridge or a mixture of feed.
• At the end of the day, give hay and combined feed.

During the period when the amount of greens is limited or not there, increase the portions slightly, and add rice flour to the complementary foods for lunch.

In the summer, it is better to give preference to greens, vegetables and fruits (about 75%). Mixed foods should not exceed 25% of the summer daily ration. The latter must necessarily include flour, grain waste, bran and crushed grain. On average, a Vietnamese pig will need about 350 g of cereals per day.

Feeding in winter

Food for the winter for animals should be prepared from the summer: dried hay, corn stalks, cereals, acorns.

It is also recommended to harvest products such as hay from legumes, pumpkin,. They will be very useful for them in the cold season, as they contain the necessary amount of vitamins and minerals necessary for the body. However, heat treatment of these products is not recommended.

Alternatively, you can add boiled potatoes as a food product. It needs to be mixed into feed food.

Due to the fact that there is no full-fledged green food during this period, the following measures must be taken:

• Increase the amount of combined feed in the diet.
• Be sure to add finely chopped vegetables and bran daily.
• Increase fortified food.
• Add minerals as needed.

One of the main components of the diet of Vietnamese piglets in winter is compound feed.

Stages of correct preparation of compound feed:

1. Measure out the required amount of feed, put it in a bowl.
2. The average feed to water ratio is 1: 2.
3. You can add 1 tsp to the mixture. salt, mix thoroughly so that there are no lumps.
4. Before giving it to pigs, it must be infused for at least 10 hours.
5. For adults, fish oil or special feed additives can be added to the mixture.

Livestock breeders claim that it is the presence of a sufficient amount of wet feed in the diet that contributes to the production of quality meat and lard.

What should not be fed to piglets?

Although Vietnamese piglets are not picky about food, experienced livestock farmers advise adhering to the basic recommendations for compiling a diet:

• Due to their small stomach, they eat often, but in small portions. This allows food to be absorbed faster. It is also necessary to take into account the fact that their stomach does not process coarse feed well.
• For the normal processing and assimilation of food by the body, the amount of saliva that is released during chewing is important. Therefore, too liquid food should not be given either. Better if it is porridge with the addition of fruits, vegetables, herbs, which are finely chopped. You can also add chopped foods such as apples, pears, pumpkin, zucchini, cereals, carrots.
• Hanged-bellied pigs need constant outdoor walks. It is advisable if it is a plot with greenery or weeds.
• It is not allowed to add a large amount to the diet of roughage that has a lot of fiber. The same applies to fodder beets, straw, hay, bagasse.
• Give any vitamin food or mineral feedheat treatmentit is forbidden... This reduces the amount of nutrients.

Not so long ago, a breed of pigs called the Vietnamese Fold appeared on the territory of our country. And, it should be noted that, despite the short period of existence, these animals have earned quite wide popularity, and have spread far beyond their homeland.

Strangely enough, pot-bellied pigs were bred in Southeast Asia. And in the countries of Europe, the breed was brought from Vietnam. As a matter of fact, from what the name of the species of these animals came. The appearance of pot-bellied pigs was officially registered in 1985.

The question immediately arises, what are these pigs good at, since they have earned high popularity in such a short time? And there are many answers to it:

• Sows are distinguished by high fertility. With good maintenance, careful care and a properly balanced diet, you can get offspring twice a year, and the number of one offspring ranges from 10 to 15 piglets.
• The taste qualities of lard and meat are quite high.
• Representatives of this breed are characterized by rapid puberty. Mating can be done already at the age of four months.
• Vietnamese piglets are absolutely unpretentious in food, care and maintenance.
• Good immunity.
• Minimal feed consumption and good return on investment.

And this is not all the benefits of keeping pot-bellied pigs at home. But, in order to get the most out of raising these animals, you need to know the basic aspects of caring for them. And consider more globally the issue of feeding Vietnamese pigs.

Representatives of the pot-bellied breed do not require special care conditions. The main point in this is the insulation of the premises for pigs in winter. Be sure to place a mat on the floor. For this you can use hay, straw or sawdust. It is worth noting that another feature of the breed is that piglets do not dig holes in the floor. And accordingly, it will not need to be strengthened somehow.

Another hallmark of pot-bellied pigs is cleanliness. These animals will not defecate in the area where the feeder and drinker are located. And this will greatly facilitate the maintenance of the room.

In the event that you are expecting farrowing in winter, you will need to create a sufficiently comfortable air temperature in the pigsty. About 20 degrees. All this is because babies are very afraid of the cold. In the case when animals freeze at an early age, their development and growth in the future can significantly deteriorate.

You will also have to eliminate drafts in the room. They are very bad for the health of small pigs. Accordingly, before placing pigs in a pigsty, all gaps must be eliminated.

Another important point when raising pot-bellied pigs at home is walking in the fresh air. It is advisable to build a pen for animals. There should be a moat on its territory, because Vietnamese pigs can get very hot on hot summer days. And this will affect the well-being of the piglets, which will slow down their growth and development. And in the moat, they can swim and cool.In order to protect the animals from overheating, you can choose an area for a corral, in the shade of trees. And, of course, drinkers and feeders will have to be installed in the pen.

Very well about the content of these animals is described in the video on our page.

But, do not forget that the main condition for caring for Vietnamese pigs is a properly formulated diet. It is he who is responsible for the good growth of animals.

Piglets nutrition in the first month

Finally, we come closer to today's topic. Next, we will consider the issue of feeding pot-bellied pigs by age category.

There is a misconception about the nutrition of these animals. It says that you can raise a healthy animal by feeding it with grass alone. There is only a grain of truth here. Yes, Vietnamese pigs are herbivores. But in order for the growth and development of pigs to comply with the norms, it is necessary to draw up a more varied diet. What will be discussed.

A newborn piglet feeds exclusively on mother's milk on the first day of its life. Meals take place every half hour. At this moment, you need to carefully monitor that there is enough food for all babies. That is, so that no one is left hungry. Unfortunately, only milk may not be enough, especially in cases where many piglets were born. Lack of milk can lead to a decrease in iron in the blood, more correctly, to anemia. In order to prevent this, iron vaccination can be performed. One of the many drugs that are used for this purpose is Ferroselenite.

Feeding small pigs in the first month of life is divided into three stages:

1. From 1 to 10 days. At this time, the most important thing for animals is the availability of clean water and, of course, milk. You should also add chalk to your diet. If not, then you can use clay. On the fifth day, cow's milk is introduced. Of course, you will need to monitor the health of the piglets, and notice if any changes are taking place. If suddenly, a disorder appears in small pigs, then you will have to dilute the milk with boiled water to reduce the fat content. You can also give the pigs a drink with a decoction of flax seeds. It stabilizes the bowels. Upon reaching ten days of age, animals are given carrots. So far, this is the only representative of succulent feed. And in two weeks it will be possible to feed the already green grass. With such a diet, the growth of babies will noticeably improve.
2. When the piglets are 20 days old, you can begin to introduce thick porridge into the diet. But, it must first be diluted with milk. It is also worth introducing dry food with vitamins into feeding. And you can already give beets. On the 25th day, add boiled potatoes to the diet. We put all foodstuffs in the feeders, and we observe that the kids learn to eat themselves.
3. Upon reaching the age of one month, it will be necessary to begin to wean from breast milk. And teach adult animals to eat. More details about which, you can find out by watching the video on our page.

Diet of adults

The nutritional composition of Vietnamese pigs depends on the season. In summer, when there is a lot of succulent food available, and when kept outdoors, you can only feed twice a day. And, in winter, - three times a day, because there is no grass, and instead of it, hay is introduced into the diet, and animals are kept indoors, without open air. All this contributes to a decrease in the growth and development of piglets.

In order for the animals to gain weight well, special attention should be paid to the composition of the diet. Most of which should be vegetables such as beets, carrots, potatoes. Zucchini, pumpkin and apples with pears are indispensable elements of the diet. You need to be especially careful with the latter, because they are very heavy on the stomach. Vegetables and fruits can be given as independent food or mixed with porridge.

It must be remembered that cereals should not exceed 40% of the total diet. Another feature of the breed is that when feeding, when succulent feed and root crops are the basis, pigs will belong to the meat direction of productivity. And, if grain feed exceeds 60%, then animals will give more fat than meat. That is, everything is in your hands. The direction of the productivity of the pigs you raise depends on the composition of the diet.

If you take into account all our tips on feeding, then at 9 months old animals will gain weight of 100 kg. And it will be possible to slaughter.

It is quite simple and accessible to tell about the nutrition of pot-bellied pigs, in the video below.

Vietnamese pigs are bacon. But in order to ultimately achieve such a result, you just need not to overfeed the animals. We must constantly observe so that they do not get fat. For this, it is better to feed in small portions, but more often.

The distinctive feature of the breed is that the digestive system of Vietnamese piglets is much smaller. And accordingly, the processing period for products is much faster.

You can not feed animals with roughage, and those in which a high fiber content.

Features of food in summer and winter

When it's warm outside, everything is green and fresh around, it's very easy to feed Vietnamese pigs. Firstly, because the basis of their diet is succulent feed, and pigs can graze. Also, clean air has a beneficial effect on the growth and development of piglets. Clover and alfalfa can be fed to animals during the summer. These are the most favorite green food of the breed.

In the event that there is not enough grass on the walking area, you will have to mow it yourself and give it to the animals. As we already said, various root vegetables are another part of the diet. Don't forget about them. And cereals should also be present in the diet of Vietnamese piglets. It can be barley, wheat, rye or peas, and even corn. But do not forget that these are additional feeds. In large quantities, they contribute to obesity.

Correctly formulated nutrition has a beneficial effect on the growth of animals.

In winter it will be a little more difficult. But, if in the summer you prepare for the cold weather, prepare root crops, hay and tops, then everything will be fine. The basis of the winter diet is steamed porridge with root vegetables and hay. Best of all, the latter was legumes.

It is advisable to include compound feed and vitamins in the diet during the cold period. To maintain the immunity of pigs.

Feeding sows

Especially the feeding ration is no different from the usual one. The only thing you need is more vitamins. And first and foremost, increase your calcium intake. Very often, from a lack of it after farrowing, the sow falls to her feet. To avoid this, you need to include chalk or clay in the diet. If it is not possible to purchase them, then the shell of chicken eggs will do. And of course, don't forget about the presence of clean, fresh water in the drinking bowls. In winter, it is advisable to keep it warm.

The further growth and development of newborn piglets depends on all this. After all, how healthy the sow is, the babies will be like that.

You can learn more about feeding a pregnant female by watching the video on our website.

I would like to add that this breed is unique. After all, the direction of productivity depends on the composition of the diet. Proper feeding is also responsible for the growth and development of animals. And if you follow all our advice, your dinner table will always be filled with delicious bacon.