Pig Farming in the Philippines: How to Raise Fattening Pigs

August 13, 2022 by Lauro Braganza

Pig farming is one of the most important sources of income for rural Filipino families together with chickens and in this article, we will give you a complete guide on how pig farming is done in the Philippines.

Despite being a very intelligent and docile animal, most pigs are raised for human consumption due to the high nutritional quality of their meat. However, they require some care in their upbringing, feeding, etc., which of course I will tell you below. Pork remains the favorite red meat of Filipinos due to the high cost of beef.

Raising pigs in the Philippines remains the number one extra income maker for many Filipinos living in rural areas and in this article, we are going to discuss the proper way how to raise pigs even in your backyard.

Pig Farming in the Philippines: The Basics

Pork is one of the most important meats alongside chicken and beef in the Philippines and pig farming is highly profitable. Whether you are raising fattening or producing piglets, pig farming is a big deal especially if you have more than 20 heads. Since last year, the price of pork in Batangas has been so high that people tend to refrain from buying pics but pig farmers are actually making lots of money because the demand has been so high and the supply has been so low because of the diseases. At some point in time, the cost of pork reached P350 per kilo, more expensive than beef.

A friend in Rosario who has a backyard pig farm producing both piglets and fatteners decided not to go back to Dubai to work as OFW because his income is higher than his salary, and he is with his family.

Feeding piglets

When raising a piglet, great care must be taken not to supply commercial feed for pig fattening. These will cause the pig to become too fat and obese in a very short time.

Therefore, what should be done is to provide balanced meals throughout the day, preferably natural and well-preserved foods (the good news is that they eat everything, the only thing that should not be given are proteins derived from other mammals except that is milk and some of its derivatives).

Consider that the widespread belief that pigs are dirty and smelly animals is a lie, in reality, that is a consequence of the poor hygiene that their owners have for the animal (usually in pig fattening farms). The reality is that they are very clean animals, although they do require muddy spaces to quench their instincts to wallow and dig.

Adopting a piglet is a great idea, as we have said they are very intelligent animals, capable of creating bonds of friendship with their close ones, both with other animals and with humans.

Pig Farming: Raising fattening pigs

Raising fattening pigs on the other hand is very different from raising piglets at home. Growers of fattening pigs must be constantly monitoring their feeding, making sure they are eating their respective ration and are gaining weight at par.

Pork is also delicious, high content of proteins, vitamins, and minerals, so it is highly sought after in the market and very easy to sell. The problem is knowing how they should be fed correctly and in what conditions they should be raised.

Pig farming — Pigs in a Filipino backyard pig pen

Feeding

Despite the common belief, it is not only about the amount of food that is given (which depends on age) but rather the quality of the supplement, which must contain all the nutrients and be high in carbohydrates. so that they get fat quickly.

It is essential to have enough food for each animal in the pen, thus avoiding fights that cause them to leave each other. The feeders should be only slightly wider or about the same as the length of your shoulders, and the owner of the pigs should always make sure that these feeders are clean.

Follow the following hog feeding table

Good food for pigs

Processed foods that contain oleaginous pastes, vegetable oils, fish oils, some agro-industrial by-products, phosphorus, amino acids, calcium, vitamins and minerals, antioxidants, and salt. You can also mix with ground wheat or sorghum, the amounts will depend on how many pigs are in the pen.

Cleaning the pen

A clean corral will represent greater production because the pigs will always remain healthy, for we must always consider the following:

Keep the area free of excrement (clean daily)
Sanitize the pen 3 times a week to prevent them from contracting parasites and worms
If possible rotate pigs every week
Keep the water troughs always full and very clean

Keeping the feeders and drinkers working and in good condition on a daily basis is essential since pigs need to drink water many times a day. It is also advisable to have a contingency plan in case the water source dries up or the food is damaged, they cannot be had without food or water at any time.

How is the vaccination process in pigs

It is essential to vaccinate all pigs with antigens, to make them resistant to bacteria and parasites responsible for most of the diseases they suffer in the pen. (It is very important to give the swine fever vaccine to piglets between 40 and 70 days old, once a year).

Secure pens or facilities

Make sure that the pen where the pigs live does not have sharp projections or anything that can hurt them, it is possible that a wound not seen in time can become a serious problem or infection that cannot be treated later. In addition, the material from which the corral floor is made should be easy to clean.

Take care of them from excessive cold or heat

The heat or cold they endure will depend on how much fat they accumulate in their bodies, however, it is estimated that the ideal temperatures are between 10 ° and 25 ° C. If you are in a very hot area the mud puddles will help the pigs to maintain the appropriate body temperature, also install the feeders and drinkers under the shade, either by trees or artificial shade.

Combat humidity in the environment

The area where the pigs are kept must be ventilated to avoid excess humidity. This is because piglets are very susceptible to respiratory diseases.

They need space to move freely

If they are not allowed to walk freely, they will adopt hostile attitudes toward their close ones, it is essential to be able to keep them in loose spaces so that they feel free and can always be relaxed.

Rest areas

The resting area must be flat but with a certain inclination so that the water runs off and its rest area is never always dry, in addition, if possible it should be covered from the elements, in this way it will protect them from excessive cold or heat.

Maternity cages

The piglets must have enough space for birth, in this place, there must be the straw on the clean floor, in addition to being dry, so that they feel comfortable and have enough space to care for and interact without crushing their piglets. It will be in place for at least 28 days after calving and the pen should be at least 2m X 2.5m.

Pig Farming: How to make pig feed at home

Making pig feed is easy and fast, however, we must consider the ingredients that we will use so that they are nourished while fattening healthy.

Ingredients:

Yuca: provides 39% fat, 18% protein, around 4% fiber, and 31.60% carbohydrates.
Moringa olfeira: provides 25% protein, 11% ash, 0.60% phosphorus, 48% nitrogen-free extracts, 5.4% fat, 18% fiber, 2.40% calcium and represents 5% of dry matter.
Sesame: 38.5% fat, 18.605 protein, 31.60% carbohydrates, 4% fiber.
Whey: 1.83% energy, 7% dry matter, 14% crude protein.

Procedure

First, we will dehydrate the ingredients using any available means (solar or industrial dryer)
Now we will grind the ingredients very well until we achieve homogeneity
Repeat grinding until you have a floury texture
Now mix according to these proportions:
20% Yucca
59% Moringa Oleifera
1% sesame
20% Whey
Pelletize the mixture mechanically or manually
Dry the pellets in the sun
Store the pellets in bags

Pig Farming: How to fatten pigs

Provide them with foods with low percentages of fiber, this is because to digest the fibers the pig’s body needs more energy, so it burns more calories.

Feed him high-fat foods (almost any will do), including candy and high-sugar edibles.
Give them a good source of protein, foods high in soy or corn oils for example work great.

Yellow corn is usually 50% of the pig’s foot and the rest is made up of mixtures of barley, sorghum, and wheat. It is recommended to give them a variety of grains and identify which is the one they like the most to always include it in their meals and thus make them fatter faster.

Periodically increase the amount of food that the pig eats, taking care of the proportions and making sure that it takes in enough nutrients so that it absorbs the calories more easily.

Include protein in their diet, these supplements usually contain 30 to 70% fat that will help them gain weight.

Generally, pigs that weigh around 150 pounds or less should consume supplements of between 230 to 450 grams per pound and in cases that weigh more than 150 pounds then it is recommended to supply 450 to 700 grams per pound.

Add water to their meals to soften them up so they eat them more easily.

They vary their food from time to time, they are intelligent animals and can get bored of always eating the same thing.

How to make pens for pigs

Mainly we must consider that the place where we want to build the corral or pig pen must be on permeable ground and have a good drainage system. Also, consider the entry of winds and sunlight into the place.

If the pigsty is to be assembled in a cold place, it is advisable to place it in a north/south orientation to prevent the piglets from getting too cold and to take full advantage of the heat generated by the sun. On the contrary, if it is in a very hot place, it is advisable to place it in an East / West orientation to keep them cool.

The pigsty should be 1 square meter for each pig you have.

Log or wood walls can also be brick (these are easier to clean) and measure from 1 meter to 1.20 high.
Permeable floors (can be concrete) with slopes of approximately 5 °.
It is recommended to have feeders 25cm high x 1m long and 30cm wide for every 3 pigs. Preferably concrete with a pair of divider rods so that the pigs do not throw themselves on the feed.
The sprue should have the same proportions only without the partitions.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pig Farming

Is pig farming profitable in the Philippines?

Hog raising in the Philippines has been a profitable business for Filipinos through the decades. Its popularity is evidently seen in the backyards of rural families. An average Filipino family usually raises a small number of pigs to augment their daily needs.

How much does a pig cost in the Philippines?

As of 2022, the average farmgate price of one kilogram of hog for slaughter from backyard farms in the Philippines is around 168 Philippine pesos. The farmgate price of one kilogram of hog has skyrocketed due to swine flu. A piglet can cost up to P4,500 in CALABARZON.

How much money do I need to start a pig farm?

How much does it cost to raise a pig in the Philippines? You could spend around P14,300 per pig. P3,500 for piglets and P10,800 for feed for 120 days. The size of your building depends on teh number of pigs you want to raise.

What are the best feeds for pigs in the Philippines?

B-Meg by San Miguel is one of the most popular and high-quality feeds in the Philippines, while it is also more expensive than other brands. Big cooperatives like LIMCOMA in Lipa also develop their own feeds for their members.

What can pigs not eat?

It’s ok to feed pigs uncontaminated fruits, vegetables, bread, grains, dairy, eggs, and vegetable oils. Do not feed pigs meat, fish, their bones, oils, or juices, or ANY food that has touched these substances.

What food makes pigs grow faster?

As an energy source, choose a grain mix of barley, wheat, sorghum, and corn for your pig’s diet. At least half the mix should be number two yellow corn. Though low in protein, it is considered a primary energy source in pig diets. Vitamins and other supplements like Atovi are also very effective.

What is poisonous to pigs?

Plants like Bracken, hemlock, cocklebur, henbane, ivy, acorns, ragwort, foxglove, elder, deadly nightshade, rhododendron, and laburnum are all highly toxic to pigs. Jimsonweed—also known as Hell’s Bells, Pricklyburr, Devil’s Weed, Jamestown Weed, Stinkweed, Devil’s Trumpet, or Devil’s Cucumber—is also poisonous to them.

Is banana good for pigs?

Bananas can be fed to pigs either fresh, ensiled (Le Dividich et al., 1976a; Le Dividich et al., 1976b), or in the form of a dry meal, even though the latter is extremely difficult to achieve. Ripe bananas are very palatable and their degree of ripeness affects performance.

What are the most common pig diseases?

Bacterial diseases include swine erysipelas, swine dysentery, infectious poly-arthritis, etc. Viral and mycoplasma diseases include African swine fever, swine influenza, enzootic pneumonia of pigs, vesicular exanthema of swine, transmissible gastroenteritis, etc.

FAQ in Tagalog

Pag aalaga ng baboy sa natural na pamamaraan – ANg niyog, ipa ng mais, at tira-tirang pagkain ang pinakamabisang pampakain para mabilis lumaki ang baboy.
Magkano ang kikitain sa pag aalaga ng baboy – Depende sa pampakain. Kung commercial feeds at regular ang pagpakain, ang large white na baboy at titimbang ng humigit-kumulang 70 kilos sa loob ng apat na buwan.
Pagkain ng baboy para mabilis lumaki – Ang commercial feeds na may mataas na uri ay malaki ang maitutulong para bumilis ang pagaki ng baboy.
Pag-aalaga ng biik mula pagkapanganak – Dapat ang inahin ay nasa farrowing cage at pinapakain ng ayos at balanse ang protina at diet.
Tamang pag aalaga ng inahing baboy – Pakainin ng regular na may balanse na sangkap.
Ilang kilo ang 4 months na baboy – Depende sa kinakain at sa lahi ng baboy. Humigit kumulang 70 kilos at dapat na ititimbang nito.
Mabahong baboy ng kapitbahay – Ilapit sa kapit-bahay at pag hindi nagkasundo, ilapit sa Baranggay.
Pampataba ng baboy – Commercial feeds, niyog, fishmeal, ipa ng mais, at tira-tirang pagkain ng tao.

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