What to Feed Pigs in Ontario: Starter, Grower & Finisher Feed Guide
Raising pigs on an Ontario farm starts with one important question: What should you feed pigs for healthy growth and proper nutrition?
Whether you're raising a few pigs on a hobby farm in Chatham-Kent or managing a larger swine operation, choosing the right feed affects growth, animal health, feed efficiency and overall production costs.
Pigs have different nutritional needs as they grow. A young weaned piglet cannot thrive on the same feeding program as a finishing pig approaching market weight.
The right ration must provide balanced energy, protein, essential amino acids, vitamins and minerals, alongside dependable access to clean drinking water.
In this guide, Chatham Farm Feed & Supplies explains what to feed pigs in Ontario, the differences between starter, grower and finisher feed, typical daily feed consumption and common feeding mistakes to avoid.
Understanding Pig Nutrition: What Do Pigs Need?
Pigs are omnivores with a single-chambered stomach. Unlike cattle, sheep and goats, they cannot efficiently use large amounts of fibrous forage as their primary nutritional source.
According to Ontario's Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness, a balanced pig diet needs to provide energy, amino acids, vitamins, minerals and water.
Energy
Energy supports everyday body functions, growth and activity.
Commercial swine diets commonly contain grain-based ingredients that supply dietary energy.
However, energy concentration must be balanced with other nutrients to support appropriate growth.
Protein and Essential Amino Acids
Protein supplies amino acids needed for muscle development and many other body functions.
Lysine is particularly important in growing pigs, but the overall balance of digestible essential amino acids matters more than protein percentage alone.
Vitamins and Minerals
Pigs need appropriate amounts of minerals such as calcium and phosphorus, together with essential vitamins and trace minerals.
Commercial complete feeds are formulated to provide these nutrients in suitable proportions for the intended animals.
Clean Drinking Water
Water is essential for digestion, temperature regulation and normal physiological processes.
Pigs should have continuous access to sufficient clean drinking water.
Key takeaway: A suitable pig-feeding program is about balanced nutrition, not simply providing as much grain as possible.
Pig Starter Feed: Nutrition for Young Piglets
Young piglets have different nutritional requirements from older growing pigs.
During the early stages of life, piglets receive nutrition from their mother's milk. As they develop and approach weaning, feeding programs may introduce specially formulated creep or starter feed.
What Is Pig Starter Feed?
Pig starter feed is designed to support young pigs during the transition to solid feed.
Depending on the formulation, starter diets may contain highly digestible ingredients, carefully balanced amino acids and appropriate vitamin and mineral supplementation.
Why Starter Feed Matters
Weaning can be a challenging period.
Piglets must adjust to different feed ingredients, feeding patterns and environmental conditions.
A suitable starter feeding program helps support feed intake and normal growth.
Starter Feeding Tips
Choose a feed formulated for the piglet's specific weight or production stage.
Provide fresh feed in clean feeders.
Keep drinking water readily accessible.
Monitor feed intake and body condition.
Avoid abrupt or unnecessary feed changes.
Follow the manufacturer's instructions for each feed phase.
Pig Grower Feed: Supporting Healthy Development
Once pigs move beyond the nursery phase, their nutritional needs continue to change.
This is when a properly balanced pig grower feed becomes important.
Grower diets are designed to support body development while providing an appropriate balance of energy and amino acids.
What Is Pig Grower Feed?
Grower feed is formulated for pigs within specified weight or production ranges.
The exact weight range depends on the feeding system and commercial feed formulation.
Ontario agricultural guidance commonly describes the growing stage as approximately 25–70 kg of body weight.
What Should Grower Feed Contain?
An appropriate grower diet should supply:
Suitable dietary energy
Balanced digestible amino acids
Essential vitamins
Appropriate calcium and phosphorus
Other required minerals and trace nutrients
A complete commercial grower ration is generally simpler for small-farm owners than attempting to create a balanced diet using individual grains without professional formulation.
Why Feed Quality Matters
Feeding too little of a needed nutrient can limit performance, even when pigs consume enough total feed.
Conversely, unnecessarily supplying nutrients beyond requirements may increase feeding costs.
A balanced feeding program aims to match the animal's nutritional needs without avoidable waste.
Pig Finisher Feed: Feeding Pigs Approaching Market Weight
As pigs approach market weight, their nutritional requirements change again.
Pig finisher feed is formulated for later growth stages and is commonly part of a phased feeding program.
Ontario's swine feeding guidance describes the finishing stage broadly as approximately 70–135 kg, although individual feeding systems and market targets differ.
Grower Feed vs Finisher Feed
The difference is not simply the amount of feed offered.
Grower and finisher rations may have different nutrient concentrations to reflect the pig's changing needs.
As pigs mature, the balance between energy intake, amino acid requirements and expected growth changes.
Choosing the Right Finisher Feed
Before selecting a feed, consider:
Current live weight
Breed and genetics
Growth targets
Previous feeding program
Animal health
Available feed ingredients
Manufacturer feeding instructions
If you're raising pigs for market, a swine nutrition professional can help evaluate the most appropriate feeding program.
Starter vs Grower vs Finisher Pig Feed: Quick Comparison
Feed type | Intended stage | Main purpose |
Creep / Starter | Nursing or recently weaned piglets, depending on the product | Support transition to solid feed and early growth |
Nursery / Transition | Young pigs after weaning | Match changing digestive and nutritional needs |
Grower | Growing pigs, often approximately 25–70 kg | Support efficient body growth |
Finisher | Larger pigs, often approximately 70–135 kg | Support later growth towards target market weight |
These are general production-stage descriptions, not universal feed-switching rules.
Always use the weight range and feeding directions on the specific product label.
Commercial pig operations may divide these stages into several smaller phases to achieve more precise nutrient management.
How Much Feed Does a Pig Eat Per Day?
One of the most common questions among Ontario pig owners is how much feed to provide.
The answer depends on body weight, growth stage, diet composition, genetics, temperature and health.
Ontario agricultural feeding guidance provides useful general daily intake ranges.
Pig stage | Approximate body weight | Typical feed intake per pig/day |
Nursery | 15–25 kg | 1.0–1.5 kg |
Growing | 25–70 kg | 1.4–2.2 kg |
Finishing | 70–135 kg | 2.5–3.0 kg |
Source: Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness, Providing Feed and Water to Pigs.
These figures are planning ranges, not individual feeding prescriptions.
Actual intake should be assessed against the animal's growth, body condition, feed formulation and professional recommendations.
Example: Estimating Feed for Five Growing Pigs
Suppose you have five growing pigs, each consuming approximately 2 kg of complete feed per day.
Your estimated daily requirement would be:
5 pigs × 2 kg = 10 kg of feed per day
For seven days:
10 kg × 7 days = 70 kg of feed
That equals approximately 2.8 bags of 25 kg feed, before allowing for changes in intake or any wastage.
This simple calculation helps estimate your next feed purchase.
However, pigs grow quickly, and daily feed consumption can change throughout the production period.
Can You Feed Pigs Corn, Grain or Kitchen Scraps?
Pigs can consume many different feed ingredients, but that does not mean every food is suitable or that a single ingredient can provide complete nutrition.
Can Pigs Eat Corn?
Corn is a common energy ingredient in swine diets.
However, corn alone is not a balanced pig diet.
It does not provide all required amino acids, vitamins and minerals in the correct proportions.
Feeding only whole corn can contribute to nutritional deficiencies or imbalances.
Can Pigs Eat Other Grains?
Grains such as wheat and barley may also be used in properly formulated swine diets.
Their inclusion depends on nutrient analysis, processing, animal stage and the balance of the complete ration.
What About Food Scraps?
Do not assume household, restaurant or other food waste is safe or legally permitted for pig feeding.
Canadian restrictions apply to certain materials, particularly meat and products that contain or have contacted meat.
Improper feeding of food waste may introduce serious animal disease risks.
If considering alternative feed ingredients or food by-products, check current Canadian Food Inspection Agency requirements and consult a qualified swine nutrition professional.
For most small-farm owners, a properly formulated complete pig feed is the more straightforward option.
Why Clean Water Matters Just as Much as Pig Feed
Pigs require reliable access to drinking water every day.
Water consumption can vary significantly depending on animal weight, feed intake, temperature and stage of production.
For example, Ontario livestock water guidance identifies typical daily water requirements of several litres for growing pigs, with substantially higher needs for lactating sows.
Practical Pig Watering Tips
Provide clean, palatable drinking water.
Check waterers every day.
Adjust drinker height as pigs grow.
Inspect automatic drinkers for blockages or leaks.
Monitor water availability during hot and freezing weather.
Maintain a backup water supply in case of equipment failure.
Insufficient water access can reduce feed intake and affect growth.
If pigs suddenly stop eating or drinking, investigate promptly and seek veterinary advice when appropriate.
FAQ? About Pig Feeding in Ontario
1. What is the best feed for pigs in Ontario?
The best feed for pigs is a complete, balanced ration formulated for their age, weight, and growth stage. Piglets need starter feed, growing pigs require grower feed, and heavier pigs may benefit from finisher feed. Ontario farmers should choose suitable commercial swine feed that provides energy, protein, essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals.
How much feed does a pig eat per day?
Daily pig feed consumption depends on body weight, breed, age, and feed formulation. Growing pigs weighing approximately 25–70 kg may consume around 1.4–2.2 kg of feed daily, while finishing pigs weighing 70–135 kg may consume approximately 2.5–3.0 kg per day. These are general estimates, and actual intake varies.
What is the difference between pig starter, grower, and finisher feed?
Pig starter feed supports young piglets transitioning to solid food. Grower feed provides balanced nutrients for muscle development and growth. Finisher feed is designed for larger pigs approaching market weight. Each formula contains nutrient levels suited to its intended growth stage.
Can pigs eat corn instead of commercial pig feed?
Corn can be an ingredient in pig diets, but it should not be the only feed offered. Corn does not provide all the essential amino acids, vitamins, and minerals pigs require. A properly formulated commercial pig feed is generally a more reliable option for balanced nutrition.
At what age should pigs switch to grower feed?
The transition from starter to grower feed depends more on the pig's weight and the feed manufacturer's recommendations than age alone. Many feeding programs introduce grower diets when pigs reach approximately 25 kg. Always follow the specific product's feeding instructions.
Is pelleted feed or mash feed better for pigs?
Both pelleted and mash feeds can provide balanced nutrition when correctly formulated. Pelleted feed may reduce ingredient separation and offer handling advantages, while mash feed can also be effective. The best choice depends on feed quality, feeding equipment, animal performance, and overall cost.
How can Ontario farmers reduce pig feeding costs?
Farmers can reduce unnecessary feeding expenses by choosing the correct feed for each growth stage, adjusting feeders to minimize waste, storing feed properly, monitoring consumption, and purchasing suitable quantities. Feed cost should be evaluated alongside growth performance rather than price per bag alone.
Where can I buy pig feed in Chatham-Kent, Ontario?
Chatham Farm Feed & Supplies, located at 9178 Talbot Trail in Blenheim, Ontario, offers livestock feed and farm supplies, including listed Jones Feed Mills pig feed products. Customers can visit
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