Limited feed and water access
What To Look For:
Look for pigs squabbling at feeders or drinkers, or disquiet.
Feed and water are still important resources for outdoor pigs. Competition at feeders and drinkers will not only result in less even growth, but also increases the risk of tail biting being used as a way to access these resources.
Additional information:
Look for pigs squabbling at feeders or drinkers, or disquiet.
Feed and water are still important resources for outdoor pigs. Competition at feeders and drinkers will not only result in less even growth, but also increases the risk of tail biting being used as a way to access these resources.
Suggestions:
Ensure enough spaces are available at feeder and drink points (recommended minimum of 10 pigs to one feed point or drinker point). Ensure that all feed and drink points are fully operational, e.g. not obstructed with objects or old food, and that flow rate into all is equal. If flow rate cannot be made equal, add extra points so that enough pigs can feed or drink without competing. If area around feed or drink points regularly becomes puddled, move the points to a higher point in the paddock, or raise the feeders on plinths or ramps. Ensure that pigs are not “channelled” to the feeders or drinkers to reduce congestion, and to reduce impact on land. Ensure that feeders and drinkers are at appropriate height for all animals; provide steps (such as breeze blocks – preferably round-cornered) if smaller individuals or stockier breeds are present.
If feeders are provided inside the shelters, ensure that regular checks are still made. Ideally feeders should not be against a far wall of the shelter as pigs will then have to walk through resting animals in order to reach the food. Feeders placed against the side of the shelter, near (but not obstructing) the entrance. If double-sided feeders are placed in the shelter, ensure that both sides can be fully used i.e. big enough space between the feeder and wall for pigs to eat head on, plus space for pigs to walk behind them.
Ensure that feed supply is consistent – stops and starts in feed availability will cause competition for feed places. If there has been a feed outage, consider providing additional feed points (e.g. trough, or scattering on dry ground) to reduce initial competition.
Additional material:
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