feeding dilemma

[Briony_S]

I have two sets of two pigs. I feed them both the same amounts of dried food.

Each cage (2 pigs) gets 50 gms of museli (recommended amount 40-60gms for one pig) and 45grams of nuggets (recommended amount 30-50gms per pig).

The top cage always have left overs so they are not an issue. My bottom cage are near enough the same ages and they eat all their food in no time. If I feed them before work when I get home both bowls are empty.

I do not re-fill until the next day they just get hay top-ups and veg of an evening. The thing is I worry they are really hungry as when I take out their empty bowls for a refil in the morning they run upstairs and wait for me and then dive into the bowls :{

Am I doing the right thing by not letting them have any more or should I increase the amount I feed upto the maximum?

I have increased the amounts already in last couple of months as used to feed 30gms nuggets and 45 museli!

Thanks in Advance

 

[nutmeg]

Gosh Briony, you are really good weighing food. I always make sure they have some in the dish to nibble at. However, those that are on Meusli only can be selective, so I do leave their's in for a full day usually without top up unless empty, as they eat the best bits first, and then when hungry again will eat the bits that are not their most favourites. This ensures they eat all, or nearly all so have the good nutritional balance. xx

 

[Laura-CCC4]

You could manage it differently by giving half in the morning and half in the evening. They should soon learn to pace themselves eating the dry food during the day, and by giving them a bit at night they've got it on offer longer, without you overfeeding them.

 

[Briony_S]

Gosh Briony, you are really good weighing food. I always make sure they have some in the dish to nibble at. However, those that are on Meusli only can be selective, so I do leave their's in for a full day usually without top up unless empty, as they eat the best bits first, and then when hungry again will eat the bits that are not their most favourites. This ensures they eat all, or nearly all so have the good nutritional balance. xx

I'm neurotic what can i say I started it initally when I first got george as I had no idea what the correct amount was. I stopped for a while after a got toger but found I was over feeding and loads went in the bin. Now I just have my scales out constantly and pop each bowl on top, it only takes a second.

I do like to keep track of what they eat and make sure they are not over eating but Amy and Tiger are just very hungry pigs. You should see amy now she has outgrown Tia! I do worry about their weight which is why I do weigh the food.

 

[Briony_S]

yes that is my routine dried food and veg in morning 2/3 types of veg about 9 O'clock then 2/3 types of veg again at 6.30/7 when I come home. Hay is topped up morning, then again 6.30/7 when I get home from work and then again before bed if required.

 

[Briony_S]

Update on their weights from this I don't think any are being under / overfed but welcome your comments:

previous weigh in 22/10 :

Tiger (male Approx 1 year) 1082gms
Amy (Female Approx 1 year 3 months) 1299gms

George (Male Approx 1 year) 1146gms
Tia (Female Approx 1yr 4 months) 1203gms

Today's weigh in

Tiger 1152gms Approx 1 year 1 month
Amy 1362gms Approx 1 year 4 months

George 1200gms Approx 1 year 1 month
Tia 1244gms Approx 1 year 5 months

Amy is a chunky monkey but don't think she is fat (i hope ...)