Avoid feeding your pig soy hulls, wheat midds, and distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS). [2] X Research source
Skim milk, yogurt, and dairy are also foods that can increase pig fat. Sweet foods with high sugar content – donuts, candy, and cupcakes – can also rapidly increase your pig’s weight. [5] X Research source
Combining soybean meal with a corn diet will provide your pig with well-balanced amino acid levels. [7] X Research source
Avoid bird-proof sorghums, as pigs find them less desirable than regular red or white sorghum.
Increase the pig’s nutrient intake as you increase the amount of food it eats. Take your pig to the vet or nutritionist for blood work and a nutritional analysis. The vet will be able to tell you if your pig is suffering a nutritional deficiency, and what supplements can correct it. Adequate nutrient intake helps your pig absorb calories more efficiently. Vitamin B12 is an important addition to your pig’s diet. It can help improve feed intake, as well as reduce stress levels and prevent disease in your pig. B12 injections are the best way to go. Talk to your vet about how much B12 your pig should receive.
Decide how much weight you want to increase your pig by, then incorporate fat supplements or fatty foods into the pig’s diet. Typically, pigs under 150 pounds receive half a pound to one pound of supplements. For pigs over 150 pounds, you can add one to one and a half pounds of supplements. Always follow the directions on the package of your supplement product. Young pigs need about 17% of their diet to be protein. Older pigs should get a diet with about 15% protein. [11] X Research source
Add water to the feed. When your pig’s feed is wet, the food will be softer and the pig can more easily ingest it. Pour some water over your pig’s feed in order to turn it into a watery mush or paste. If your pig really likes one feed, but dislikes another, you should regularly purchase the one it likes. Tasty feed will be consumed in greater quantities and with greater enjoyment than feed that the pig doesn’t like. This will lead to rapid weight gain. Give your pig a variety of foods. Like people, pigs get bored of eating the same thing over and over. [13] X Research source
removing pigs from the pen and putting them in a separate, larger enclosure selling pigs until you have a population that can thrive within the confines of the pen expanding the size of the pig pen
Consider adding a feeder, or providing extra bowls of feed for pigs that aren’t at the weight they should be. Always give your pig fresh water. Even if you add water to your pig’s feed to soften it, you should also provide a bowl or trough for water. Change your pig’s water regularly. Water should be cool but not cold. Pigs need 2-3 pounds of water for every pound of feed they consume.
Keep the air in your pig pen circulating by opening the windows or doors. Introduce fans or a large inflatable pool into the area your pig lives. Ensure it has plenty of shade. Ensure your pig is not too cold. If the temperature of your pig pen is below 60 degrees Fahrenheit, your pig might be too cold to eat. Ensure your pig pen is well-insulated against winter. Use a heater to keep the temperature in your pig pen between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
Check your pig’s temperature with a rectal thermometer. The temperature should be around 102. 5 degrees Fahrenheit. If your pig has a fever, take it to the vet immediately. Look for signs your pig is ill. If your pig is acting lethargic, squeals painfully, has diarrhea, or does not eat, it may be ill. There could be one or many causes for your pig’s illness, including viruses, parasites, or poor nutrition. Take it to a qualified veterinarian for a checkup.
You do not need assistance to administer the deworming medicine. Simply add it to the pig’s feed, typically at a ratio of one cubic centimeter per 50 pounds of body weight. In other words, if your pig weighs 100 pounds, you’ll probably add two cubic centimeters of deworming medicine. However, always use the prescribed dosage when administering any medicine to your pig.
You should also bring your pig to the vet before introducing him or her to the rest of your pigs. This will ensure the pig doesn’t introduce parasites or illnesses to the other pigs. If you observe any strange behavior such as lethargy, staggering, poor appetite, it may be injured internally or ill. Bring your pig to the vet for an examination. [21] X Research source Pigs should get a checkup from the veterinarian at least once each year.
