INFORMATION SHEET No. 4.

2-1
Management of Finishers
Learning Objectives:
After reading this INFORMATION SHEET, YOU MUST be able to:
1. determine suitable feed needed in feeding finishers,
2. Identify the different feeding system.

Pig Finisher is a feeding option following grower or transition that enhances

a softer look. This 16% protein product is designed to add condition to pigs
that are harder in their appearance.

Pig Finisher is also the feed of choice for tighter made pigs that need added
body and finish.
Ideal carbohydrate balance: Improves show pig performance due to a
better gut environment from ideal balance of starch, sugar and fiber from start
to finish. Keeps your pigs on feed, on schedule and performing their best with
superior energy metabolism, gut condition, stool consistency and more.
Ideal Amino Acid balance: Supports the immense muscle mass in show
pigs by providing enhanced amino acid levels, including digestible lysine and
five other important amino acids ratio to lysine, all balanced to support lean
growth.
Innovative ingredients: Improves feed intake and performance. Tightened
formulation designs - in combination with ongoing world-class research - set a
new industry standard for keeping your show pigs at the head of their class.
Active Nutrient Supply: Nourishes show pigs through elevated nutrients,
enhanced nutrient availability and superior balance for unprecedented
performance in show pigs at every stage.
Show Micronutrients: Supports strong bone growth and immense muscle
mass in superior show pigs from start to finish, including vitamins like vitamin
E, vitamin D, and biotin and minerals like digestible phosphorus, potassium,
chromium and zinc. All balanced to maximize show pig performance.
Feeding Directions: Designed to be fed as the sole ration for pigs weighing
150 lb. to market.
Feeds and Nutrition
The farm operator should:
 Ensure that animals are provided with optimum level of nutrition at all
times, as required for their respective functions and well-being.
 Provide the animals with safe, clean, and adequate rations or feeding
materials suited for pigs.
 If animals are provided with commercial feed, ensure that the source or
feedmill has been officially registered with the Animal Feeds, Veterinary
Drugs and Biologicals Control Division (AFVDBCD) of the Bureau of
Animal Industry (BAI).
 Keep feed mixing equipment clean at all times and with regular
preventive maintenance schedule.
 Provide a daily feeding management or schedule.
 Raw food waste of animal origin should not be present at the farm level
and should not be fed to pigs.
 Procurement documents of feed concentrates should be kept and
updated properly to include:
o supplier or source of feed concentrate and its registration number,
o type of feed and supplements;
o quantity:
o declaration of ingredients:
o document of feed analysis;
o date of delivery; and
o date of manufacturing and batch number.
 Record the type and quantity of ration being fed to the animals.

The use of medicated feed should be under the supervision of a licensed

veterinarian and should be stored separately from non-medicated feed with
clear label/signage.
  In case of farm-mixed feed formulation, farm operators should only use
ingredients from reputable and traceable suppliers. Records of purchases
should kept.
 Not use banned chemicals, feed additives, supplements and any form of
medication in the diet of the animals, including those disallowed by the
authorities or importing countries.
 For medicated feed, strictly follow instructions of medication, paying
special attention to the withdrawal period of each specific drug being
administered before the animals are sent to market.

Feeds and raw materials should be kept in the way to prevent

contamination and deterioration.

 Feed storage facilities should be kept clean at all times.

 Feed storage should have adequate ventilation, adequate protection from
moisture to prevent development of molds, and should be vermin-proof.
 "First in- first out" rule should be practiced.
 Machinery, equipment and other toxic chemicals should be stored
separately from feeds to prevent contamination.
Feed represents the highest cost in producing pigs. Taking the
most conservative estimate, it accounts 70-80% of the total cost of
production Therefore, the pig farmer should pay close attention to proper
feeding of pigs, particularly the amount, type of feed given and the
system used to attain maximum growth and high feed efficiency. It must
be noted, however, that these can only be attained if proper health care
and management along with good environment are provided.

1. Feeding System/Method
The decision when to apply any of the systems can be based on the
fattening stage. The fattening stage of slaughter pigs can be divided into
three (3) stages based on weight: starter, grower and finisher stage. The
starting period begins with the reared piglets after leaving the rearing
pen or "Nursery The weight of the piglets is approximately 15-20 kilos in
most commercial farms in the case of small farms (backyard), the starter
stage begins immediately upon weaning due to lack of rearing pen and it
is also a common practice of the backyard raisers.

The grower stage starts from 30 or 35 kg LW and reaches a weight of 60

kg. The finisher stage is from 60 kg until the fattener reaches the market
weight (80-90 kg LW)
There are three basic feeding systems for fatteners (1) ad libitum (2)
restricted; and (3) ad libitum and restricted. The level feeding can vary
from restricted feeding (about 80% satisfaction) to ad libitum level (100%
satisfaction).
Most fatteners are fed ad libitum at least for the growing phase, while
some are fed ad libitum throughout the fattening period. Restricted
feeding is also a possibility, making sure that every fattener would have
one feeder space, to prevent "bully" pigs occupying all spaces.
1.1 Ad libitum feeding.
Giving feeds without restriction and always available at any time.
Dry feed should always be used for this system and try to ensure that
the self-feeders are completely emptied at least twice each week. There
are benefits gained in terms of the freshness of the feed, which will
support an improvement in feed conversion.
Most problems encountered with ad lib feeding possibly center on
hygiene within the feeder. If one interprets ad lib literally, to the extent
that feeders never empty during a feeding cycle, it is possible that
microbial spoilage can affect up to 10% of the diet. The pigs find the
infested feed. unpalatable and wastage of feed is also high.
Ad lib feeding will only give good results if the pigs have high growth
potential and if they are in good health condition
1.1.1 Advantages:
* higher Average Daily Gain for those animals with high growth
potential
* lesser feed competition-depending on the sizes and age of the
animals
* less labor
1.1.2 Disadvantages:
* thicker backfat
* higher feed conversion -highe feed costs
* less control on feed intake-more digestive problem
* less control on health problem

1.2 Restricted feeding.

Controlling the amount of feed given to the animals twice or more a
day. The amount of feed given is restricted or limited to a certain amount
of feed to satisfy the appetite of the pig. This system of feeding applies
only to long feed trough where all pigs eat at the same time. The length of
 the trough should be in accordance with the space requirement for each
fattener to accommodate all the pigs in the pen during feeding time.
Restriction can be done according to the appetite of the pigs. A good
criterion for restricted feeding is that the trough should be empty after 15
or 20 minutes if the feed is given as a slop.
1.2.1 Advantages:
* lower feed conversion ratio (FCR) lower feed cost better
* performance
* good carcass quality
* better health control
* lesser digestive problems
1.2.2 Disadvantages:

*lower ADG - for high growth potential animals

*unequal growth if feed trough is not long enough to accommodate all
animals
* more laborious
* lesser chance of coping up with higher market price

1.3 Combination of ad lib and restricted feeding.

Pigs are fed ad lib until they reach the weight of 50 kgs and fed
restricted until they are marketed. The growth potential of the animal is
maximized during its first 50 kg of growth. When the pig has reached 50 kg
LW, restricted feeding is practiced to reduce backfat thickness with a
corresponding increase in lean cut yield.
1.3.1 Advantages
* higher ADG with good carcass quality
* lower feed cost
* better use of good feed-better FCR
1.3.2 Disadvantages:
* higher possibility of digestive problems if shifting is not properly
done
 * less control of health problems and feed intake at the beginning.

The choice of feeding system in fact can be determined considering the

following factors:
1. Genetic potential of the breed
2. Quality of the feed: DE/kg of feed
3. Environment: housing and climatic condition
4. Health status of the animal
5. Availability of quality feeds and raw materials
6. Influence of carcass quality on selling price

2. Wet vs. Dry feeding

Wet feeding means mixing the dry feed with water, 2 to 3 times the dry feed's
weight (1:2-3). Water should be added to the feed just before feeding.
Wet feeding Dry feeding
1. Reduces feed wastage Higher amount of feed wastage
2. Increases digestibility Lower digestibility
3. Higher feed intake Lower feed intake
4. Laborious Less labor
5. Spoilage Less spoilage
6. Attract more flies Needs separate feeding trough and waterer

3. Weight Estimation

Since it is not advisable to weigh animals everytime you shift/change the feed
due to additional stress, weight estimation is a practical tool. One way of
estimating the weight of animals is by looking closely at the biggest and
smallest animals and estimate their weights and get the average. Also take into
consideration the distribution of the animals between the smallest and the
biggest. If their sizes are closer to the heaviest (biggest) animal, the estimated
weight should be between the calculated average weight and the weight of the
heaviest (biggest) animal. The same way should be applied when there are more
animals closer to the smallest (lightest).
4. Feeding Scheme for Fatteners
The amount of feed given daily varies according to the genetic potential of the
fatteners, health status and environment. The farmer himself should know how
much to feed and what type of feed should be given depending on the growing
stage of the animal.
These three important points should be considered
1. The lower the starting weight of the piglets, the higher should be the quality
of the starter feed (higher in protein and energy).
2. If the genetic potential of the pig is good (fast grower), the pigs can be fed
with starter feed till the weight of 45-60 kgs LW

Feeding Scheme for Finishers

Finishing Body Weight Kg Type of feed
Weeks feed/hog/da
y

1 23 1.0 Starter

2 26 1.1 Starter
3 29 1.2 Starter

4 33 1.4 Starter/Grower

5 37 1.5 Grower

6 41 1.6 Grower

7 45 1.8 Grower

8 50 2.0 Grower

9 55 2.1 Grower

10 60 2.2 Grower
11 65 2.3 Finisher

12 70 2.4 Finisher

13 75 2.5 Finisher

14 82 2.6 Finisher

15 85 2.7 Finisher