Can Pigs Eat Maize Cobs?

Maize (Zea mays L.), a major cereal grown worldwide, generates cobs which can be used as pig feed ingredients (Frank et al., 1983; Kanengoni et al., 2004; Ndubuisi et al., 2008).

Can pigs eat whole corn cobs?

Pigs are omnivores, which means they eat both meat & plants. They love corn & it’s safe to give them the whole cob, husks & all. Just don’t give them corn on the cob with a ton of salt & butter on it because that wouldn’t be healthy.

Can maize cobs be used as animal feed?

Maize cobs are a highly fibrous product with many agricultural and industrial applications. In agriculture, they are used for fuel, litter for poultry and other animals, mulch and soil conditioner, and as fodder for ruminants despite their low nutritive value (Evers et al., 1994; Jansen, 2012).

Is broken maize good for pigs?

Good pig feed contains sufficient energy, protein, minerals and vitamins. Rice bran, broken rice, maize, soya-beans, cassava, vegetables and distillers’ residues are often used in pig feed.

Why is maize good for pigs?

More than 50% of the endosperm is floury, this making maize one of the main energy sources in pig diets, because it has a high starch content (> 60%) together with a medium fat content of 3.5%. The other half of the endosperm is hard and consists of a protein tissue that surrounds the starch granules.

Is cob good for pigs?

It was concluded that corn cobs have some potential for use as a dietary ingredient and it can be included up to 25% in pig diets without compromising health, growth performance, carcass and blood and also reduced cost of producing lean pork.

What should you not feed pigs?

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

What can you do with maize cobs?

Uses

1. Bedding for animals – cobs absorb moisture and provide a compliant surface.
2. Ground up and washed (then re-dried) to make cat litter.
3. A mild abrasive for cleaning building surfaces, when coarsely ground.
4. A corncob pipe.
5. As a biofuel.
6. Charcoal production.
7. Environmentally-friendly rodenticide (powdered corn cob)

What can replace maize in pig feed?

The nutritional potential of sorghum as pig feed is really great. First of all, the protein content is two to three per cent higher than corn. In addition, sorghum is poor in tannins, and as you know, tannins reduce the digestibility of protein.

Can I feed pigs maize meal?

Maize is used as a grain source in pig feeds because it is high in DE and low in protein and therefore used mainly as an energy source. Grain sorghum has a nutritional value similar to that of maize.

Can pigs eat whole maize?

The food was perceived to be easier on the pigs’ gastro-intestinal tracts. The increased crude fibre share was seen to affect the pigs’ health positively. From a feed perspective, the entire corn plant can be used instead of only the cob.

How do you make pig feed with maize?

Feeding Instructions
Mix 2 parts concentrate to 3 parts crushed maize by mass to produce the sow lactating meal, which should be fed to the lactating sows. It is vital to use maize meal not maize bran (makreshi). Care must be taken to mix the concentrate and the crushed maize according to mass, not volume.

What to give pigs to 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.

Is yellow maize good for pigs?

Number two yellow corn is considered the primary energy source for swine diets in the Midwest. Despite the low protein content, corn is considered one of the most economical feed stuffs available to the swine production system.

What is the best grain to feed pigs?

Farm grains are the most common and best source of food to feed pigs. Most typically corn-based feeds are used because they are high in digestible carbohydrates, low in fiber, and cost effective.

How do you protect pigs from maize?

Top Five Strategies to Protect Crops from Wild Animal

1. Agricultural fences. Fencing is a popular wild animal deterrent that can last for many years.
2. Natural repellents. Some farmers prefer using natural resources instead of mechanical or chemical protective practices.
3. Biophysical barriers.
4. Electronic repellents.

What feed makes pigs for best flavor?

Barley is probably the best all-round grain for pigs. Feed it crushed or steeped in water to soften. Meat meal provides good protein. Here are the other feed options I use to give the meat great flavour, all grown myself.

What does salt do for pigs?

The right minerals are essential for muscle, nerve and immune system functions and for sound reproductive health. Salt is especially important for gestating and lactating sows, and can be useful as a carrier for other nutrients essential for swine.

How do you feed pigs cheaply?

Here are five ways to reduce swine feeding costs

1. Incorporate DDGS into diets.
2. Use small grains when available.
3. Take a look at other co-products.
4. Use fish meal substitutes.
5. Eliminate inorganic phosphorus.

What do pigs like to eat the most?

The bulk of their diet comes from corn and soybeans. Corn provides energy and soybeans provide protein. They also eat other grains like wheat and sorghum. Farmers may add supplements to ensure their hogs get necessary nutrients.

Can pigs eat potato peels?

The results of digestion trials with pigs have shown that potato peelings, after cooking, are highly digestible when included in the rations of bacon pigs. The N-free extractives, which form about 80% of the dry matter of the hand peelings, have a digestion coefficient of 96·2%.