Starter, Grower and Finisher Rations

The Four Fuel Grades of Pig Production

A pig’s nutritional needs are not a “one size fits all” deal. If you feed a weaner (baby pig) the same food as a finisher (big pig), the weaner will become stunted and the finisher will get too fat.

1. Creep Feed (Age: 10 Days to Weaning)

This is the most expensive feed, but you use the smallest amount.

• The Goal: To teach the piglet’s stomach how to digest solid food while it is still drinking milk.

• The Look: Usually small, crunchy pellets that smell sweet (to attract the piglet).

• The Strategy: Place a handful in the “Creep Area” discussed in piglet management step. If it gets dirty, throw it out. You want them eating at least 250g–500g a day by weaning time.

2. Starter Feed (Weight: 10kg to 25kg)

• The Goal: Rapid muscle and bone growth.

• The Mix: Very high in protein (around 18-20%). At this stage, the pig is building its “frame.” If you skimp on protein here, the pig will always be “short” and small, no matter how much you feed it later.

3. Grower Feed (Weight: 25kg to 50kg)

• The Goal: Developing the body and maintaining health.

• The Mix: Medium protein (16%). This is the longest phase. The pig is now a “teenager” with a massive appetite.

4. Finisher Feed (Weight: 50kg to Market)

• The Goal: Putting on weight and “finishing” the meat quality.

• The Mix: Higher in energy (carbohydrates) but lower in protein (13-14%).

• Warning: If you feed too much “Finisher” for too long, the pig will start producing thick back-fat, which buyers hate.

How Much Should They Eat? (The Feeding Table)

As an agripreneur, you must measure your feed. Don’t just guess with a bucket. Use a 2kg tin (like a “Kimbo” or “Kasuku” tin) and know exactly what it weighs.

Free Choice (Ad-Libitum) vs. Restricted Feeding

• Ad-Libitum (Free Choice): The feeder is always full. Pigs eat whenever they want.

  • Best for: Weaners and Growers. It ensures they grow as fast as their genetics allow.

• Restricted (Timed Meals): You give a specific amount twice a day (e.g., 7:00 AM and 5:00 PM).

  • Best for: Finishers (to prevent them from getting too fat) and Pregnant Sows (to keep them fit).

The Feed Waste Leak

If your pig scatters 10% of its feed on the floor, you are losing 10% of your profit.

• The Trough Design: Use troughs with “lips” that prevent the pig from rooting the food out.

• The Water Link: Remember, if the pig doesn’t have water, it will stop eating its dry feed.

Case Study: The Short Cut in Nakuru

Farmer Kamau decided to save money by feeding his 2-month-old weaners “Pollard” (a cheap byproduct) instead of proper Starter Feed. The Pollard was filling, but it had almost no protein. His pigs looked “pot-bellied” but their legs were thin and they didn’t grow in length. By month 6, they only weighed 40kg. His neighbor, who bought the expensive Starter Feed for the first two months, had pigs weighing 85kg at the same age. Kamau realized that “Cheap feed is the most expensive mistake” during the early stages.

Expert Tip: The Sow’s Bonus

A sow nursing 10 piglets is like a marathon runner. She needs massive amounts of energy. The rule of thumb in Kenya is: Give her 3kg for herself, plus an extra 0.5kg for every piglet she is nursing. If she has 10 piglets, she needs 8kg of food a day! If you underfeed her, she will “melt” (lose all her body fat) and won’t be able to get pregnant again quickly.

Important things to keep in mind:

• Consistency is Key: If you feed at 7:00 AM today, don’t feed at 10:00 AM tomorrow. Pigs have an internal clock; stress from late feeding slows growth.

• The Eye of the Farmer: Always watch the pigs eat. If one stays in the corner and doesn’t come to the trough, it’s the first sign of sickness.

• Transition Slowly: Never switch from Starter to Grower feed in one day. Mix them 50/50 for three days to let the pig’s stomach adjust.