The first step in designing a feeding program is determining how much a pig will eat each day. Pigs require a set level of many nutrients each day, whether they eat 4 or 10 pounds. As feed intake decreases, the nutrient content of the diet must increase to meet the daily requirement. Temperature, housing, health status, and genetics all affect feed intake. Temperatures above 70 degrees F decrease intake, while temperatures below 65 degrees F increase intake.
Housing can reduce the effect of temperature.
However, poor designs and over-crowding in some operations further reduce intake. The first symptom of many swine diseases is anorexia or reduced appetite. Appetite can also be changed by selection. By monitoring feed intake for a pen or barn, diets can be adjusted to meet daily nutrient requirements. The actual levels of nutrients in the diet depend on intake, the potential for lean growth, and sex.