Pig farming tips most farmers don’t know
Pig farming is one of the most profitable livestock ventures, but only if done right.
Many farmers lose potential income because of small mistakes that affect growth, breeding, and health. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced farmer, these 10 lesser-known pig farming tips will help you boost productivity, reduce costs and maximize profits.
Water: The silent growth driver
Most farmers focus on feed, but clean water is the real growth secret. Pigs drink twice as much water as the feed they consume and when that water is dirty, warm or limited, digestion slows down. This directly reduces growth rates and meat yield.
To increase profit, ensure pigs have constant access to cool, clean water. Use nipple drinkers to minimize contamination and clean troughs daily. Remember, poor hydration equals poor profit.
Boars: Keep them fit, not fat
Many farmers overfeed breeding boars thinking it’s a sign of health. But overfed boars become lazy, leading to weak breeding performance and lower conception rates.
Keep boars on a controlled diet with regular exercise space. A fit, active boar ensures stronger breeding, more piglets per litter, and healthier offspring , all of which improve your bottom line.
The critical first 3 days for piglets
The first 72 hours after birth determine whether a piglet thrives or dies. During this period, each piglet must drink enough colostrum, the sow’s first milk rich in antibodies.
Weak piglets that can’t suckle need immediate assistance. Warm them up, guide them to the teats, or bottle-feed if necessary. Early intervention boosts survival rates and helps build a stronger, more profitable herd.
Zinc deficiency causes strange behavior
If your pigs are chewing walls or biting each other, don’t assume it’s aggression. This behavior often points to a mineral deficienc, particularly zinc or iron.
Provide balanced feed with adequate minerals and vitamins and include salt licks or mineral blocks. Healthy pigs are calmer, grow faster and require fewer treatments,saving you money on vet bills.
Clean Pens Save more than medicine
Dirty pens breed diseases faster than you can treat them. Many pig deaths result from poor hygiene, not rare infections.
Make daily cleaning and disinfection a routine. Replace wet bedding, remove manure and ensure proper drainage. Preventing disease is far cheaper than curing it and it boosts both animal welfare and profit margins.
Farrowing Crates: Life savers for piglets
A single sow can crush up to 20% of her litter by accident. **Farrowing crates** prevent this tragedy. They keep the sow calm, make it easier to nurse and improve milk flow.
The result? Healthier piglets, higher survival rates and less stress for the farmer. Investing in farrowing crates pays off through more weaned piglets and higher sales.
Feed conversion ratio (FCR): The real profit indicator
Your biggest expense in pig farming is feed. To succeed, track your Feed Conversion Ratio (FCR),how much feed it takes for a pig to gain a kilogram of weight.
Pigs with a better FCR (less feed per weight gain) are your real profit makers. Record feed quantities, monitor growth rates, and adjust rations regularly. Small improvements in FCR can increase profit margins by up to 20–30%.
Heat Stress leads to wasted feed
When pigs are hot, they stop eating, wasting both feed and time. Heat stress can also cause slower growth, lower fertility and even death in severe cases.
Prevent this by ensuring good ventilation, shade and cool water. During dry seasons, spray pigs with water or install fans to reduce heat. Comfort equals appetite, and appetite equals profit.
Records equals hidden wealth
Professional farmers treat records as gold. Keeping track of which sow produces best, which boar performs well, and which pigs grow fastest helps you make smart breeding and culling decisions.
Use notebooks, spreadsheets or farm apps to log data. Over time, records reveal patterns that help you cut losses and invest in your best animals, leading to steady improvement and higher income.
Good genetics always ay off
Cheap piglets may look like a bargain, but poor genetics cost more in the long run. Low-quality stock grows slowly, converts feed poorly and produces smaller litters.
Invest in strong genetic lines known for fast growth, good meat quality and disease resistance. Quality piglets may cost more upfront, but they deliver higher returns through faster growth and better performance.
Pig farming success comes from understanding the small details that others overlook. Clean water, balanced feed, proper housing and record-keeping may sound simple, but they’re the foundation of profitability.
Apply these 10 pig farming tips consistently, and you’ll see the difference.
