how to gain weight

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smo

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what is the best way to make your pig gain more than 2lbs a day
 

willow

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2lbs per day isn't to shabby, but genetics plays a major roll in getting them to gain more than that.  A couple things that seem to work well for us: 

1.Take them off of a self feeder if they are on one!!!
2.We always topdress with a fat source.
3.If you are reasonably close to your terminal show and/or your pig is over 150lbs you can also topdress with paylean.

If you are going to use paylean make sure your pig is eating at least 6lbs of feed per day (more feed is better) and is sound enough to handle it.  Keep them cool (hang a fan if you do nothing else) and make sure they are getting a little exercise.
 

missbee

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Moorman's rep told us to wet the food (veryy wet).... our pig slicked it up!!!!
 

willow

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It has been our experience that you can get them to eat more lbs/day if you take them off the self feeder.  If you aren't sure how to feed to get them to consume more off the self feeder ask and I will try and explain.  It is a bit of a training process.  You also have more control of what they are consuming if you are feeding supplements.  It is also hard to wet feed in a self feeder which by the way is another good option if your pig will go for it.  
We always use a self feeder in the beginning, but take them off at about the half way point.  When we take them off the self feeder is also when we typically separate them from any other pen mate they may have.  By separating them we can dial in the feeding program to accommodate the differences in each pig.  I am sure not everyone does it this way, but this works best for us.
 

twistedhshowstock

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smo said:
why take them off self feeder?

Its the same as with people...I am sure you have all heard of the human diet plans that tell you to eat several smaller meals throughout the day rather than eat a few big ones.  Contrary to popular belief the key to successful human dieting is not to starve yourself, but rather to not let yourself get hungry.  By eating more smaller meals a day we actually generally eat less. The same goes for animals. With a self feeder that always has feed, the pig is never going to let himself get hungry, so eats more out of necessity or habbit than hunger and typically doesnt eat as much.  However if you hand feed them twice a day they will get hungry before the next meal comes around, and just like humans when they are hungry they eat more.  Just like you, if you get really hungry before a meal you tend to eat more at that meal than if you were not hungry.
For most pigs they are going to convert most grower and finisher type feeds at a 3:1 ratio, which means that for every 3 pounds they eat they are going to gain about 1 pound.  This of course is not exact or universal, just a good average.  My ideal is to purchase and put on feed a pig that is the right age and size to eat about 6lbs a day thus gaining 2 lbs a day and coast right into their end point show sitting right where I want them weight wise.  I think pigs look fresher and better when they coast in at a steady rate of gain like that. I find that the ones I have to push or hold never seem to do as well. 
I didnt notice where you were from, but if you are suffering from the miserable heat we are having down here and you are getting 2lbs a day gain then you are doing really really well.  When I do need to get a pig to eat more I top dress with a fat supplement and wet the feed, I dont want the feed to be slop, but I want it moist.  My fat supplement of choice is Sumo from Sunglo, I swear this stuff is like crack to pigs.  I mix a little in when I wet the feed and then top dress with it, if the pig stops before finishing I can generally sprinkle a little more on and get them to keep eating.  At Ft Worth this yr I had a gilt that I swear cleaned up more than 10 lbs in one sitting before going in the ring, she was full as a tick and when I sprinkled more Sumo on she put her head right back in the feed pan.
 

willow

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twistedhshowstock said:
smo said:
why take them off self feeder?

Its the same as with people...I am sure you have all heard of the human diet plans that tell you to eat several smaller meals throughout the day rather than eat a few big ones.  Contrary to popular belief the key to successful human dieting is not to starve yourself, but rather to not let yourself get hungry.  By eating more smaller meals a day we actually generally eat less. The same goes for animals. With a self feeder that always has feed, the pig is never going to let himself get hungry, so eats more out of necessity or habbit than hunger and typically doesnt eat as much.  However if you hand feed them twice a day they will get hungry before the next meal comes around, and just like humans when they are hungry they eat more.  Just like you, if you get really hungry before a meal you tend to eat more at that meal than if you were not hungry.
For most pigs they are going to convert most grower and finisher type feeds at a 3:1 ratio, which means that for every 3 pounds they eat they are going to gain about 1 pound.  This of course is not exact or universal, just a good average.  My ideal is to purchase and put on feed a pig that is the right age and size to eat about 6lbs a day thus gaining 2 lbs a day and coast right into their end point show sitting right where I want them weight wise.  I think pigs look fresher and better when they coast in at a steady rate of gain like that. I find that the ones I have to push or hold never seem to do as well. 
I didnt notice where you were from, but if you are suffering from the miserable heat we are having down here and you are getting 2lbs a day gain then you are doing really really well.  When I do need to get a pig to eat more I top dress with a fat supplement and wet the feed, I dont want the feed to be slop, but I want it moist.  My fat supplement of choice is Sumo from Sunglo, I swear this stuff is like crack to pigs.  I mix a little in when I wet the feed and then top dress with it, if the pig stops before finishing I can generally sprinkle a little more on and get them to keep eating.  At Ft Worth this yr I had a gilt that I swear cleaned up more than 10 lbs in one sitting before going in the ring, she was full as a tick and when I sprinkled more Sumo on she put her head right back in the feed pan.

Perfect explanation!
 

Sassy2899

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Some things you can use:
-Paylean
-Two eggs twice a day
-Wet oats that have ferminted a little bit
-Oatmeal with some other flavoring like Jello mix
-Pure fat (Summo Fat from Sunglo feeds) (Moor Fat from Moorman's)
-Corn, but watch how much you add.
I hope this helps.  :)
 

smo

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how do you give them eggs? just crack a raw one in there feed? and this is what im  gonna try tell me what you think feeding them three times a day wetting it down and giving them about 3 lbs a feeding so 9 lbs a day
 

Sassy2899

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What I usually do is crack two eggs in a cup or something to mix in put a little bit of feed and the 2 oz. of paylean.  Mix it together and let them eat that, then I give them their feed for the time being.  I always make sure that they have feed in there pan, not to much at one time though.  I also check on them about every hour. Get them up and make them walk around cause they will not get up on their own and go eat or drink they are lazy little buggers.  Wet the feed down a little bit, jus enough to were it will make a ball in you hand.  I hope this helps you. 
 

smo

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thanks that helps alot
how much paylean should i feed a day
 

Sassy2899

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I would feed 4 oz., iIf you are going to feed them at least 9 lbs of feed a day. The paylean container says to feed 2 oz. to every 5 lbs of feed.  You can mix it with the eggs and little bit of feed so they are more likely to eat it.
 

twistedhshowstock

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Just be careful with the paylean...remember all pigs dont need it, and if they dont really need it, you can actually ruin one with it.  If your pig is not absolutely sound the paylean will also cripple him for good...so be very careful before feeding paylean. 
What is your pig weighing right now and what is your target weight and date...if you can get them to eat 9 lbs a day and gain 3 this time of year you are good good good.
 

smo

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they are 150 and i have 37 days left hopeing to be about 240
 

Sassy2899

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If your pigs don't have any structural or walking issues I would use they paylean.  If your pig has either of these issues they paylean can cause them to get worse and worse.  So if you pig walks short strided or pops in its pasturens the paylean can cause these things to get worse.  If not I would go ahead and use the paylean, it will help them gain roughly 3 lbs. a day and boost their appetite.
 

justjohn

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Just curious why you want to weigh 240. 

You might want to think about getting the pigs to weigh what their frame size will accomadate.
Just trying to get them to weigh a certain amount may make them look out too small  in a heavier class.
We remind ourselves, lightweight classes need winners too.

We have a barrow that is a little smaller frame, that has a lot of power and could weigh 260.  With his
frame size he looks best at 235, so thats what we have him weighing.
 

smo

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it doesnt have to e 240 just it has to be at least 225 to make weight and i hate stressing over if they wil weigh enough lol but i normally do steer so idk ive never done pigs before
 

Sassy2899

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A majority of pigs look their best when they 250-260 lbs.  They have the right amount of finish/cover and the right amount of muscle.  Some pigs do need to weigh less, this can be due to structural correctness of just fram size like justjohn has mentioned.  I would love to see a pic of you pig(s) if you can get any. It would help determine the size/weight your pig needs to be at.
 

smo

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ill try to get some up tomorrow but how many eggs can you feed them per day
 
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