Brief Introduction
As a pig farmer, you may invest a lot of high quality pig feed formulation. But if your pigs can not eat the feed comfortably or they waste it, you will lose money. The secret is not just what is in the feed, but what is the right pig feed pellet size. Matching right pig feed pellet size to different pigs’ age can improve the feed intake, reduce waste and boost the pigs’ performance in a powerful way.
Why Does Pellet Size Matter So Much for Pigs?
Choosing the right pig feed pellet size is a key management decision that directly impacts your farm’s success.
- It Matches Their Ability to Eat. A tiny, newly-weaned piglet simply cannot eat a large pellet designed for a finisher pig. The right size encourages young pigs to eat more, especially during the critical post-weaning period.
- It Reduces Feed Waste. If pellets are too large for a pig’s mouth, they may play with them, chew them inefficiently, and push them out of the feeder onto the floor. If pellets are too small for a large pig, they may not consume their feed as efficiently. The right size minimizes this costly waste.
- It Can Improve Digestion and Growth. A pellet that is easy for a pig to consume allows it to get the nutrition it needs efficiently. This supports better digestion and more uniform growth rates across the entire herd.
Starter / Piglet Stage (Weaning to ~25 kg)
At this stage, recommended pig feed pellet size is 2mm – 3.5mm or crumbles. The reason is at this starter stage, a piglet’s mouth, jaw and digestive system are very small and undeveloped. Small size pellets or crumbles are easy for them to pick up, swallow and digest. This can encourage them to take more feed pellets and give them a stronger and healthier body.
Grower Stage (Approx. 25 kg to 70 kg)
At grower stage the recommended pellet size is 4mm-6mm, because pigs grow and their mouth and body get bigger. They can easily eat larger pellets. Making larger pellet size is also more efficient and easier with pig feed pellet mill. Larger pellets also ensure growing pigs can consume the required daily food and nutrition quickly and easily.
Finisher Stage (Approx. 70 kg to Market Weight)
6mm-8mm pellets are better for finisher stage pigs. Because at this stage the main goal is to gain more weight efficiently with maximum energy. Larger pellets allow pigs to get more feed and energy in every mouthful. This can help to improve their average daily gain and overall feed efficiency when they approach market weight.
Sows and Boars (Breeding Stock)
For adult breeding pigs, the better pellet size is 8mm-12mm. Because they have large mouths and well-developed digestive systems. Large pellets are perfect for them. It can also help to reduce dust in the feed. For pig farmers, they can also handle and feed a large quantity of feed more easily.
How a Pellet Mill Achieves Different Sizes
You might wonder how you can make all these different sizes. It’s actually very simple.
- It’s All in the “Die”. The size of your feed pellet is controlled by a single, important part of your pig feed pellet machine is the die. The die is a heavy, thick steel plate with many small holes drilled through it. It acts as the mold for your pellets.
- You can change the pellet size through changing different die size. The diameter of the holes in the die determines the diameter of your pellets. To make a 3mm pellet for piglets, you use a die with 3mm holes. To make a 6mm pellet for growers, you simply stop the machine, unbolt the old die, and install a new one with 6mm holes. It’s a simple but critical adjustment that gives you full control over your feeding program.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- For the Smallest Piglets, Crumbles are Often Better Than Pellets. “Even a tiny 2.5mm pellet can be a challenge for a newly weaned piglet. That’s why many professional operations use a crumbler. This is a separate machine that takes a finished pellet (for example, a 3mm one) and gently cracks it into smaller, irregular pieces. These ‘crumbles’ are often easier for the smallest pigs to start eating, which is critical in that first week.”
- Using the Wrong Size for Too Long. “A common and costly mistake is continuing to feed small, expensive starter pellets to growing pigs for too long. This is a waste of money. It’s important to transition up to a larger, more cost-effective grower pellet as soon as your pigs can handle it comfortably.”
- Pellet Quality is More Than Just Size. “Remember, a perfectly sized pellet that is soft and dusty is still a bad pellet. Good pellet quality means the right size and good hardness (durability). This is usually achieved by getting the moisture content right in your feed mash before it enters the pellet machine.”
Conclusion
Matching your pig feed pellet size to the growth stage of your animals is a simple but highly effective management strategy. By using different dies in your pellet machine—from small 2.5mm for piglets to larger 8mm+ for finishers and sows—you can reduce waste, improve feed intake, and support the health and performance of your entire herd.
FAQ
Q: What happens if I feed pellets that are too big or too small to my pigs?
A: If the pellets are too big, young pigs may not be able to eat them at all, or they may struggle to eat. This reduces their feed intake and slows their growth. If the pellets are too small for a large finisher pig, the pig has to spend more time and energy to eat its daily ration, which can be less efficient.
Q: What is a “crumble” and how is it made?
A: A “crumble” is a finished pellet that has been broken into smaller, irregular pieces. It is made using a machine called a crumbler, which uses special rollers to crack the pellets. Crumbles are the ideal starter feed for very young piglets.
Q: Can I make all these different pellet sizes with just one machine?
A: Yes. You can make many different sizes with a single pellet mill. The key is to own several different dies (the metal plates with the holes). You simply change the die on the machine to change the diameter of the pellet you produce.
Q: What is the best pellet size for a pregnant or lactating sow?
A: Adult sows have large mouths and can easily handle larger pellets. A size of 8mm to 12mm is very common and effective. The most important factor for sows is not the pellet size, but ensuring the feed formulation provides the right nutrition for her and her developing piglets.
Q: How do I know if my pellets are good quality, besides just the size?
A: A good quality pellet should be hard and durable, not soft or dusty. It should not break apart easily when you handle it. You can test this by shaking a sample in your hands; if it creates a lot of dust, your pellet quality may be poor. This is usually caused by the feed mix being too dry before it was pelleted.
Q: Is pellet feed better than mash feed for pigs?
A: Yes, it is much better for two key reasons.
First, pellets stop feed waste. Pigs can’t spill or sort them like they do with a loose mash. Second, every pellet is a complete, balanced meal. This ensures they get the good nutrition they need for fast, healthy growth, which is critical as we head into the Alaskan fall.