Liquid feed in pig production

Liquid feeding represents an interesting alternative in pig production. It consists on supplying pigs with aqueous food that is commonly known as “porridge or soup”. This type of feed form is achieved by incorporating water into raw materials.

Its use is particularly interesting in weaning piglets and lactating sows, which are considered as the most problematic categories when it comes to feed consumption. This is especially true during the summer. In addition to this, liquid feed decreases the rate of morbidity and mortality in post-weaning piglets. Considering that a transition from milk to liquid feed is less abrupt than directly transitioning to solid feed. In fattening pigs, stock uniformity improves due to an increase in homogeneous DM consumption, resulting in greater live weight at slaughter. In lactating sows, liquid feed contributes to increases in total feed consumption mainly within hot climates.

Depending on the time lapse between the preparation of liquid feed and its consumption, it can be classified as:

• Unfermented (NFLF) when supplied immediately after processing
• Fermented (FLF) when a few hours transcur between the time of preparation and the moment when it is supplied to the animals.

Preparation and distribution

Stored feed and ingredients within silos are weighed and moved into a tank where they will be mixed for 2 to 4 minutes with water, through the use of agitators. These are responsible for creating a homogeneous mixture. Then, the prepared feed is propelled towards the feeders through a system of pipes and the use of a pump. At the upper end of the descending pipes there is a valve that regulates and allows feed to fall into the feeders.