The demand for pork is increasing in Uganda, thanks to the increasing population and townships. A kilogram of pork ranges between Shs8,000 and Shs10,000 depending on location.
This has made pig rearing lucrative.
Dr. Rogers Kalanda, a veterinary Doctor working with Bulemeezi Agrovet Ltd interacts with piggery farmers almost on a daily basis. He takes us through key things potential and existing piggery farmers shouldn’t put into consideration in order to get the best in this business.
Pig Sty/Unit
Dr. Kalanda says the structure/ house of pigs should be well spacious with a firm ground-preferably made of concrete.
“It should be easy to clean, leak proof, not slippery to cause injury to pigs,” Kalanda says, adding that disposal of waste should be far away from the pig unit to avoid spreading of diseases.
“It must be well-fenced to avoid unwanted visits and must have footbath at the entrance containing water mixed with disinfectant,” he says.
He reveals that the structure should be 10ft*8ft on the ground and 6 1/2 ft height.
He says the number of pigs it can accommodate depends on age of the animals.
“A mother can nurse all the piglets in this unit up to one month. It can accommodate 7 pigs of four months, 2 of 5 month and one sow/pregnant one,” he says, adding that a bore also needs its own space.
Source of breeds
Kalanda says one need a fast growing breed, but it must be from the right and trusted source.
“A good breed should be between 5-10kgs at one month. Camborough is one of the fast growing breeds. It’s costly but worth it,” Kalanda says, adding that others good breeds are Large White, Land Race and Duloc.
“A good breed should be large in size, longer and taller,” he says.
He explains that a good breed should make 90-120kgs of live weight in six months. Prices for piglets range between Shs150, 000 to Shs300, 000 depending on the breed.
He notes that it is advisable to buy females at two months and a male at four months.
“It is also advisable that you get a male from parents different from females,” he says.
Management and Bio-security
Bio-security means measures taken to reduce spread of diseases on the farm. Management and bio-security includes preventing intruders, cleaning pig sty and unit every day, feeding, disease prevention and identification among others.
“Urine shouldn’t be left to pool,” Kalanda says.
Feeding
Feeding is one of the most important things piggery farmers should take seriously.
“You need to get a good feed formula containing balanced nutrients, proteins, minerals, vitamins and clean water,” Kalanda says, adding: “These can be found in locally available materials; maize bran, cotton seed cake, fish, sunflower cake, palm kanel (ekinazi), soya bean meal, shells, enzymes, vitamin premix, toxin binder.”
He says that the mixing varies according to protein requirements of the pig as per its age.
Feeding Formula
Farmers are cautioned of what amount to give to the pigs. At three days, piglets should be given an iron injection.
He says that piglets between 2 weeks and 2 months should have unlimited feeding.
At 2-3 months, a pig should eat one kilogram a day. At 3-4 months, a pig should at least be given 1.5kg a day. At 4-5 months, a pig should be given 2kgs a day.
At 5-7 months, a pig should eat 2.5kgs a day and above 7 months, a pig should eat 3kgs a day.
At two and a half months, a pregnant sow should eat up to 3kgs a day and 3.5kgs at two and a half months up to three months.
From three months upwards, a pregnant sow should eat 4kgs a day and two days to delivery, a pregnant pig should be given 2kgs a day.
It should be noted that a pig gives birth at 3 months, 3 weeks and 3 days (115 days).
“After delivery, a sow should be given 3kgs a day plus a quarter a kilo per each piglet but one shouldn’t exceed 6kgs,” Dr. Kalanda says, adding that a boer should be given between 2-2.5kgs a day.
“One can supplement feeds with potato veins and other greens,” he says.
He adds: “Pigs eat a lot; it’s you to determine the quantity they eat daily. If not limited, they can eat up to six kgs. If fed on a well balanced diet, they eat less. With quality feed, a pig can eat 3kgs a day.”
Kalanda says a pig at 5 months reaches puberty and goes on heat.
“However, it is not advisable to give it to the male because its body isn’t fully grown,” he says, adding that it will conceive but will not produce many piglets.
“A farmer should wait until it is about 7-8 months. It can be around 90kgs. This is for exotic but for cross breeds it can be between 60-80 kgs,” he says.
Kalanda says a farmer can use a Boer to impregnate the sow.
“Artificial insemination is good, but many inseminators in Uganda are incompetent. It’s good because it prevents diseases, allows you get a breed you want but they sometimes get contaminated due to poor hygiene conditions unlike live sperms that are fresh,” he says.
De-worming
Dr. Kalanda says a farmer should identify diseased pigs and consult professional vets for best results.
“Many consult us when things have already worsened. It is a good practice to de-worm pigs at least every 2 months and spray against flies, ticks and lice regularly,” he says.
Profit
A farmer is expected to profit from his pigs when feeding them commercially at six months.
“Right from day one up to six months, a farmer will spend an average of Shs300, 000 on each pig. This will include labour, feeds, transport and other related costs,” Dr. Kalanda says.
He advises farmers to buy their own parents which will produce piglets for slaughter.
“Don’t buy piglets, feed them and sell because you won’t make profit,” he says, adding that at six months, Camborough will have about 90 kilos, cross breeds 60-80 and local breeds 50-60 kilos.
For feedback or story tip, contact: 0775170346, staddewo@gmail.com
I want more advice from you may GOD bless you
Thanks a lot
If I av to start I needed to get some people to help those that r professional to take Care of the piggery project.
Dr.plse can u suggest how much can it take to open 1000 heads of pigs
Impressive.
Costly
good
I’am very grateful for this lecture which has redeemed me. i have been very ignorant and stack on how to start a piggery project but at list right now I’am informed and since i have got you as my encyclopedia in piggery project i live a lucky lady .Thanks a lot for the lecture.
Am soo humbled about this fantastic lecture on piggery. Looking forward to becoming such a hard working person.
Thanks for the motivation, i want to start a piggery farm up country in Kasese do you think i will better feeds, medicine there?
And also the market.
Hello Taddeo.
Thanks for the thought of helping potential farmers. Want to start a piggery. What is the best feed combination if am to mix it myself.
And what’s the most cost effective buying ready made feeds or to mix it yourself.
Thanks for the wonderfull insites, i have been makin reseach on piggery and i hope to start my farm soon after COVID 19 lockdown.
in need assistance on where i can buy good piglets
Which concentrate can I use to mix with maize bran?
thanks for the information
Hello Mr.Tadeo, thx much 4 d wonderful information your giving us but I would like to incqure more about where one can get a good camborough breed.
And else What is the best feed combination as per stage in case I want to mix by my self given the mentioned materials. Thx
Get in touch with me via 0775170346/staddewo@gmail.com
Good info
some one in the village used to feed them with cattle dung,,,,he would always mix it with “cacu” how good is cow dung to pigs
It is a nice Motivational attribute towards the end of the vast poverty within the country and l have learnt a lot
This information is very good, Am still looking for capital to start a piggery farm and this is the knowledge I need
We need more assistance because we beginning farmers however kudos
Hi Tadewo, i would like to meet with you if possible. i need to know how to go about my farm and how i can get good money out of the pigs. also where i can buy a good breed of cambrough pigs.
Thanks for your informative article. How can I keep track of your publications?
Keep visiting the site; http://www.businessfocus.co.ug…Check Agribusiness Section
Thanks Dr. kalanda
I have interest for piggery project
Thanks for this constructive article. I would like to talk to you in person though, how can this be possible. Thanks so much
0775170346/0703828741
Am a new person who wants to start piggery business with full knowledge and research
Would like to get connected to the farmer
It’s indeed. People can easily get valuable info.regarding poverty alleviation.
Keep it up.
I want be a farmer
Where can I get a good pig am here Bushenyi district I want to start rearing pig