Pigs are a vital part of many rural economies, but many small-scale farmers struggle to make a profit. One of the main reasons is the rising cost of feed, which has increased along with food prices. This makes it difficult for farmers, especially those raising pigs on a small scale, to turn a profit. There are several key factors that contribute to this issue.
First, many farmers still raise native or "soil" pigs, which are not as efficient in terms of growth and meat production. These pigs often have slow growth rates, poor feed conversion, and low lean meat content. In addition, some farmers practice unscientific breeding methods, such as using the same sow for multiple generations, leading to weaker and less productive animals.
Another major issue is improper nutrition. Many farmers lack knowledge about balanced feeding or do not understand the importance of high-quality feed. As a result, their pigs may suffer from malnutrition, which slows down growth and reduces productivity.
Feeding practices are also often unscientific. Some farmers feed at irregular times, offer inconsistent portions, or use water to soften pellets, which can reduce the nutritional value of the feed. Others cook raw ingredients, which destroys nutrients and increases costs. Sudden changes in feed can also stress the pigs, causing them to lose appetite and grow more slowly.
Overstocking is another problem. Some farmers believe that keeping more pigs in one area helps them grow faster, but this actually leads to disease outbreaks, poor hygiene, and inefficient manure management. Poorly constructed pig houses also contribute to the problem. Many farmers build simple enclosures without proper insulation, leading to extreme temperatures that harm the pigs’ health.
Group feeding without sorting by size can lead to bullying among pigs, where larger ones dominate and smaller ones go hungry. This not only affects the growth of weaker pigs but also prevents individualized feeding based on age and condition.
Neglecting disease prevention is another common mistake. Many farmers don’t follow vaccination schedules, leading to higher disease incidence. When sick, they often rely on ineffective treatments like Analgin, which can cause serious side effects, including death.
Parasites are also a concern. Pigs that graze on the ground or eat raw feed are prone to infections, which can stunt growth or even kill them. Similarly, improper slaughter timing—selling pigs when money is needed rather than when they’re ready—can reduce profitability due to lower weight gain and slower growth.
To address these challenges, researchers have developed the “Eight Changes and Eight Standards†approach for efficient family pig farming. This method improves traditional practices by focusing on better breeds, scientific feeding, and disease control. It includes changing from single-feed to mixed feeds, from cooked to raw, from old to new feed types, and from mixed groups to individual pens.
Other recommendations include fixed feeding times, accurate portioning, quality feed formulation, assigning specific people to care for pigs, setting up designated areas for eating, sleeping, and defecating, regular deworming, vaccination, and disinfection. These steps help create a healthier, more productive environment for pigs, ultimately improving the farmer’s income and sustainability.
Health Pills
Health Pills,Sugar Free Chewable Vitamin C,Enervon Sugar Coated Tablet,Flavettes Vitamin C Sugar Free
Jilin Manyitang Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd , https://www.likangpharmaceutical.com