There are many premix brands on the market today. Choosing feed that is economical and high-quality has become an important matter for livestock farmers. The following briefly discusses a few points to bear in mind when choosing.
I. Choose premixes for different stages according to the pig’s growth.
Generally, from seven days after birth until market, choose appropriate feed, such as creep feed, nursery feed, feed for small pigs, feed for medium-sized pigs, or feed for large pigs. For sows, gestation feed or lactation feed can generally be selected depending on their pregnancy status. Boars generally use feed for large pigs or boar feed. However, different types of feed may sometimes be selected under the guidance of a livestock specialist or veterinarian.
Two, comprehensively assess the quality of the feed.
1, based on market feedback, whether a certain premix is widely acclaimed, whether it is stable, and how long it has been on the market.
Generally, feed that is relatively stable in the market or shows a development trend is better when the timing is earlier.
2, based on the feed manufacturer's capabilities and the after-sales service for feed mixers, the selected feed generally comes from manufacturers with strong capabilities and is stable. Choosing feed from manufacturers with good after-sales service offers a degree of assurance for livestock farming, allowing both sides to develop and make progress together.
3, choose feed based on its price and packaging. In a highly competitive market, the cheapest feed is not necessarily the best quality. Generally, good-quality feed comes in relatively good packaging, with clear printing and labels that include certification and registration information, as well as detailed production dates, batch numbers, and instructions for use. The packaging clearly lists a contact phone number, manufacturer, service commitments, and other information.
Three. Several misconceptions about using premixes currently exist in the market.
1, judging whether feed is “good” based solely on the color and consistency of pig manure. Dark-colored pig manure does not necessarily mean that the pig is digesting well. Pig manure caused by feed with a high copper content is generally darker. When feed contains a large amount of health-promoting medication, the manure may sometimes be lighter in color. The pig’s digestive condition, premix, and the types and combinations of other feed ingredients can all affect the color and consistency of pig manure. Generally, normal manure should be neither dry nor runny, should not have a foul odor (though it may sometimes smell of ammonia), and should contain no foreign matter.
2, judging the “quality” of feed solely by the appearance of the pig’s coat.
3 When a common disease occurs, it is mistakenly attributed to the feed. During rearing, pigs may develop various diseases due to factors such as the environment, breed, and feeding conditions; diseases are rarely caused directly by feed. Diseases and abnormalities generally caused by feed include poisoning and sudden changes in appetite. Moldy feed may sometimes cause diarrhea in pigs, while a change in feed may sometimes alter their appetite.
4, judge quality solely by the feed’s aroma. Feed is generally supplemented with a certain amount of flavoring to increase pigs’ appetite, but feed that smells very strong is not necessarily what pigs like to eat. Pigs generally like milky, fishy, and strawberry aromas. Some manufacturers add more flavoring to attract customers’ attention, which only increases the feed’s ineffective costs.
5, the pig growth stages targeted by the premix, and adding other feed ingredients indiscriminately. For example, feeding a piglet a premix for medium-sized pigs, or feeding it to a large pig, cannot bring out the pig’s maximum growth potential and also increases feed costs. Adding salt or bone meal, for example, to a 4% premix may seem to add nutrients, but excessive salt can cause mild cumulative poisoning. Adding extra feed ingredients instead reduces farming profits, although adding suitable other substances under proper guidance can sometimes be an effective supplement, such as adding medication or chopped green grass as needed.
6, excessively pursuing pig size and sale prices, to the extent of using finishing pig feed containing stimulants or other additives, has had a certain adverse impact on society. In addition, this is improper conduct when such substances are prohibited by the state. Using safe, environmentally friendly, high-quality feed is the goal of livestock farming.