Feed production costs typically make up 69% to 83% of total expenses in pig farming. One of the most common and costly issues is feed wastage, which generally accounts for 3% to 5% of total consumption. The financial impact can be significant. For example, a farm that raises 10,000 pigs annually and uses 8 tons of feed per day could waste between 240 to 400 kilograms daily, resulting in an annual loss of around 200,000 yuan.
Feed wastage occurs in several ways:
1. **Overfeeding:** Pigs often push feed out of the trough when overfed. For instance, if a sow consumes 0.1 kg more than needed each day, and a farm has 500 sows, this could lead to nearly 20 tons of wasted feed annually. At a cost of 2 yuan per kilogram, this results in an additional expense of 40,000 yuan.
2. **Rodent Damage:** Rats are a serious threat to feed storage. A single mouse can consume about 12 kg of feed in a year. If a farm has 1,000 mice, that's 12 tons of feed lost annually. To prevent this, pig houses should have rat-proof nets on windows and metal plates installed 50 cm above the floor near doors. Using poisoned bait like 0.2% warfarin-based poison outside the barn can help control rodent populations. In feed processing areas, wire traps or other rodent elimination methods are also effective.
3. **Mold Contamination:** Pelleted feed often has higher moisture and temperature, making it prone to mold if not properly dried or cooled. During hot summer months, mold can develop within 2–3 days. Moldy feed is not only unpalatable but also harmful. It may appear black, taste bitter, and reduce milk production in lactating sows, leading to undernourished piglets and even starvation. Preventing mold requires proper drying and storage conditions, especially during warm seasons.
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