chandab
Well-Known Member
Ok, so I did a search, and found several threads that mention hard keepers, but thought it would be nice to have information on feeding them all in one place.
I have one that really has a hard time keeping weight in summer; its partially bug related, and partially related to him not wanting to eat much when its hot (the rest are little piggies and they don't care what the temp is as long as I feed them).
so, what do you feed your hard keepers and how much? [Don't forget to include how big your hard keeper is.]
Mine is 38" and 350# right now, and needs to gain some. He's getting a ration balancer (1/2#), oats/beet pulp mixed (2 cups) and a weight gain supplement plus pasture all day and grass hay at night (he won't eat more hard feed than this right now). Just started on the supplement, so it hasn't really had a chance to start working for him. Since he doesn't want to eat, he needs a power packed meal to provide his calories. I've been feeding it dry, so today, I'll try it wet and see if that improves his desire to eat it. I really don't want to resort to a sweet feed, but will if that's what it takes to get him to eat. [Currently, his ration is divided into two meals. I could add a third while he's out on pasture during the day, but not increase his two current meals, as he shares a paddock with a piggie, while they are separated for grain it takes him forever to eat, so I don't want to add to the time it takes for a meal.]
Thanks.
I have one that really has a hard time keeping weight in summer; its partially bug related, and partially related to him not wanting to eat much when its hot (the rest are little piggies and they don't care what the temp is as long as I feed them).
so, what do you feed your hard keepers and how much? [Don't forget to include how big your hard keeper is.]
Mine is 38" and 350# right now, and needs to gain some. He's getting a ration balancer (1/2#), oats/beet pulp mixed (2 cups) and a weight gain supplement plus pasture all day and grass hay at night (he won't eat more hard feed than this right now). Just started on the supplement, so it hasn't really had a chance to start working for him. Since he doesn't want to eat, he needs a power packed meal to provide his calories. I've been feeding it dry, so today, I'll try it wet and see if that improves his desire to eat it. I really don't want to resort to a sweet feed, but will if that's what it takes to get him to eat. [Currently, his ration is divided into two meals. I could add a third while he's out on pasture during the day, but not increase his two current meals, as he shares a paddock with a piggie, while they are separated for grain it takes him forever to eat, so I don't want to add to the time it takes for a meal.]
Thanks.