Impact of feeding practices on the growth of pigs in Abako sub-county, Alebtong district.

Abstract

The strategy of this study was to assess the impact. of feeding practices on the growth of pigs in Abako sub-county located in Alebtong district. A total of four parishes and a sample size of 57 households rearing pigs Were considered for the research. The study looked at the types of feed stuffs given to pigs feeding practices of the different classes of pig’s provision or supplementary and/or preserved feeds and use of feeding equipment, Data on these areas was collected using the Individual Farmer Interview Schedules, administered by the researcher with the help of a research assistant. Analysis of data showed that farmers fed pigs on local or indigenous feedstuffs whose amounts and rate greatly varied from homestead to homestead, a proportion or 59.6% of the households gave supplements to their pigs; 59% never provided preserved feeds for their pigs; 52.6% provided both feed and water troughs for their pigs; women and children performed most of the pig feeding activities and 77.2% of the households faced challenges providing enough feeds for their pigs. Basing on the above findings, the study concluded that. Farmers used local feed resources to feed the pigs while supplementation and preservation of feeds were inadequately done. Furthermore, famers provided simple poorly designed troughs as feeding equipment. The study recommended that distinction of feeding for the different groups of pigs’ provision of well-balanced feeds and supplements, as well as sufficient quantities of water; preservation of feeds for pigs; feeding processed animal wastes to pigs and provision of well-designed feed and water troughs better be observed