The Basics of Swine Nutrition: What Pigs Need to Thrive

Proper nutrition is the cornerstone of swine health, productivity, and welfare. Whether you’re raising pigs on a small farm or managing a large-scale operation, understanding the nutritional needs of pigs at each stage of life is essential to ensure optimal growth, reproduction, and overall performance.

The Six Essential Nutrients

Pigs, like all animals, require six fundamental nutrients to thrive:

• Water: Often overlooked, water is the most critical nutrient. A pig typically needs about one gallon of water for every pound of feed consumed.
• Energy: Provided mainly through carbohydrates and fats, energy fuels all bodily functions. Diets should deliver 3,200–3,500 kcal/kg of digestible energy depending on the pig’s age and role.
• Protein: Vital for muscle development and repair. Protein needs vary—lactating sows may require 18–22% crude protein, while mature boars can thrive on 10%.
• Fats: A dense energy source, fats also aid in the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins and improve feed palatability.
• Vitamins and Minerals: These support immune function, bone development, and metabolic processes. Balanced premixes ensure pigs receive the right amounts.

Life Stage Nutrition

Each stage of a pig’s life demands a tailored nutritional approach:

• Piglets: Require highly digestible proteins and energy-dense diets to support rapid growth and immune development.
• Growers and Finishers: Need balanced energy and protein to maximize lean gain and feed efficiency.
• Breeding Sows and Boars: Require diets that support reproductive health, longevity, and body condition maintenance.

Ingredient Flexibility and Feed Access

Producers are increasingly exploring alternative feed ingredients such as barley, bakery waste, whey, and fish meal to reduce costs and improve sustainability. Reference tables for daily feed intake and nutrient density help fine-tune rations for each production stage.

Practical Tips for Success

• Ensure constant access to clean, fresh water.
• Monitor feed intake and adjust rations based on performance and environmental conditions.
• Make sure you are using a well-balanced feed like Country Companion Pig & Sow and work with a swine nutritionist to customize diets for your swine’s specific needs.