Calculate daily feed amounts, feeding cost, days to market weight, and total bags to buy — so you can budget your hog operation accurately from weaner to harvest.
Pigs are efficient converters but feed costs are the biggest variable in raising hogs. Understanding your feed-to-gain ratio upfront — typically 3 lbs of feed per 1 lb of gain — lets you compare the cost of commercial grower, fermented feed, and supplemental scraps before you buy your first pig.
Pigs are not ruminants — they can't digest grass and hay efficiently. They need a diet high in carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. A pig will eat approximately 3–4% of its body weight per day in feed. A 100-lb pig eats 3–4 lbs/day; a 200-lb pig eats 6–8 lbs/day. Feed intake increases as the pig grows.
The feed conversion ratio (FCR) is how many pounds of feed it takes to produce 1 lb of live weight gain. Commercial operations achieve an FCR of 2.5–3.0 with optimized pellets. Homestead pigs on mixed diets typically run 3.0–4.0 due to lower protein density and variable intake.
Market weight for standard butcher hogs is 230–280 lbs. Butchering much larger than 300 lbs increases the fat-to-meat ratio. Most homesteaders target 250 lbs at 5–7 months of age, starting from 40–60 lb weaner pigs.
On commercial feed, figure roughly $300–$500 in feed costs per pig from 50 lbs to 250 lbs, depending on your local feed prices. Add $150–$300 for butchering fees (slaughter, cut/wrap), pig purchase price ($100–$200 for a weaner), and incidentals. Total cost per pig: $600–$1,000 for most homesteaders.
Starting from a 40–50 lb weaner pig, reaching 250 lbs takes approximately 4–6 months on a quality commercial diet. Heritage breeds (Berkshire, Tamworth, Red Wattle) grow more slowly than commercial breeds (Yorkshire, Duroc crosses) and may take 6–8 months to reach market weight.
Pigs do well on twice-daily feeding — morning and evening. This helps you monitor intake and health. Ad-lib (free-choice) feeders work but pigs will overeat and add excess fat. Twice daily is preferred for meat production. Always ensure fresh water is available at all times.
A high-protein (16–18% crude protein) commercial grower ration from a reputable feed mill gives the best and most consistent growth. Corn-soybean meal-based rations are the industry standard. For rapid lean gain, look for rations with added lysine. Heritage breeds don't necessarily grow faster on high-protein rations and can do well on lower-protein (14–16%) feeds.
Yes, with caveats. Vegetable scraps, fruit, bread, dairy, and cooked meat are generally fine. Raw meat and raw eggs carry disease risk (trichinosis, salmonella) and are regulated or banned in many states as swine feed. Always check your state's swine feeding regulations before feeding food waste commercially sourced. Cooking scraps first (known as "garbage feeding") reduces disease risk significantly.