# Nursery Pig Feed Budgeting and Cost Control ## Key Takeaways - Nursery pig feed constitutes 15-25% of total feed expenditures, with feed intake per pig, not a fixed dollar amount, being the critical budgeting metric. - Phase feeding, utilizing 3-4 diets with decreasing complexity (e.g., Phase 1: 7-10 days, high digestibility ingredients; Phase 3: conventional soybean meal/corn), is essential for matching nutrient needs to digestive maturity and controlling costs. - Weekly tracking of actual feed disappearance against budget is crucial; a 5% variance is normal, but a 10% variance necessitates investigation into factors like environment, health, or waste. - Feed cost per pig weaned is a more accurate performance indicator than cost per ton, especially when comparing diets or evaluating ingredient substitutions. - Critical drivers of nursery feed intake include weaning age/weight, barn temperature (target 85-90°F initially), and health status, often outweighing single ingredient decisions. - Cost-saving strategies should prioritize protecting Phase 1 diet complexity and digestibility, focusing simplification on later phases (Phase 2/3) and reducing waste through proper feeder adjustment. --- Feed is the single largest variable cost in swine production, and the nursery phase is where that cost hits hardest per pound of gain. For most operations, nursery feed accounts for 15 to 25 percent of total feed expenditures even though the phase lasts only six to eight weeks. A nursery pig feed budget that is accurate, flexible, and tied to real pig performance can protect margins, reduce waste, and help you make informed decisions when ingredient prices shift. This guide is for independent producers, contract growers, and farm managers who want to build a practical feed budget for the nursery phase, control costs without sacrificing pig performance, and keep records that support better decisions. It covers the factors that drive feed expense, step by step budgeting methods, common budgeting mistakes, monitoring systems, and the point at which you should bring in a veterinarian or extension agent. ## At a Glance - A nursery pig feed budget should be built on expected feed intake per pig, not on a fixed dollar amount per pig. - Budget in phases that match your feed program. Most operations use three to four nursery diets with step down complexity. - Track actual feed disappearance against budget weekly. A 5 percent variance is normal. A 10 percent variance requires investigation. - Feed cost per pig weaned is a more useful metric than cost per ton when comparing diets or making changes. - Wean age, weaning weight, barn temperature, and health status drive feed intake more than any single ingredient decision. - Do not cut diet complexity across the board to save money. Protect the first diet after weaning and simplify later diets instead. - Record feed deliveries, feed disappearance, pig weights, and mortality on a per group basis. Without these records you cannot budget accurately. - Call a veterinarian if feed intake drops suddenly, if diarrhea persists beyond three days, or if you see poor response to a diet change. Call an extension agent if you need help comparing ingredient prices or building a ration. ## Understanding the Nursery Phase and Its Feed Demands The nursery phase begins at weaning, usually at 18 to 24 days of age, and ends when pigs move to a grow finish barn at roughly 50 to 60 pounds. During this period pigs transition from sows milk to solid feed, develop their digestive enzyme systems, and establish gut health. The feed you provide during these weeks sets the stage for lifetime performance. Feed intake in the nursery is low in absolute terms but expensive per unit. A newly weaned pig might eat only 0.2 to 0.4 pounds of feed on day one. By the end of the nursery phase, intake climbs to 3 to 4 pounds per day. Total feed consumed per pig in a typical six week nursery period ranges from 60 to 100 pounds depending on weaning weight, genetics, diet complexity, and health status. The cost per ton of nursery feed is higher than grow finish feed because of the ingredients used. Dried whey, fish meal, plasma products, specialty protein sources, and complex carbohydrate sources are expensive but necessary in early nursery diets. As pigs age, you can replace these ingredients with less expensive alternatives. The art of feed budgeting is matching diet complexity to pig age and performance so you do not overfeed expensive ingredients or underfeed critical nutrients. Several factors drive feed demand in the nursery: Weaning age and weight are the strongest predictors of feed intake. A pig weaned at 21 days and 12 pounds will eat less in the first week than a pig weaned at 24 days and 14 pounds. Heavier pigs adapt to solid feed faster and have lower mortality risk. Barn environment matters more than most producers realize. Pigs in a drafty barn or a barn that is too cold will eat more feed to maintain body temperature but convert that feed less efficiently. Pigs in an overheated barn will eat less. Target temperature for newly weaned pigs is 85 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit for the first week, then reduce by 2 to 3 degrees per week. Health status affects both intake and efficiency. Pigs dealing with a viral challenge, intestinal infection, or parasite load will eat less and convert feed poorly. A healthy group of pigs will outperform a sick group even on the same diet. Genetics and sex influence growth potential and feed efficiency. Modern genetics with high lean gain potential will consume more feed and convert it more efficiently than slower growing lines. Barrows typically eat more than gilts but convert feed slightly less efficiently. ## Building a Nursery Pig Feed Budget A feed budget is a plan for how much feed you expect to use, what it will cost, and when you will need it. The budget serves three purposes. It tells you how much feed to order and store. It gives you a baseline against which to measure actual performance. And it helps you evaluate the financial impact of management decisions. ### Step 1: Define the Group and the Target Start with the number of pigs you are placing in the nursery. Use the actual number of pigs weaned, not the number of sows farrowed. If you wean 500 pigs, your budget is for 500 pigs, not for whatever the barn capacity happens to be. Next, define the target end weight. Most producers target 50 to 60 pounds at the end of the nursery phase. Your target should reflect your genetics, your grow finish facilities, and your marketing plan. A nursery that sends pigs to a grow finish barn at 55 pounds has a different feed budget than one that sends pigs at 45 pounds. Define the expected average daily gain for the group. A realistic target for a well managed nursery is 0.7 to 1.0 pounds per day across the entire phase. First week gains are usually low, often 0.1 to 0.3 pounds per day. Gains accelerate after the first week as pigs adapt to solid feed. Define the number of days in the nursery. Most producers plan for 42 to 56 days from weaning to exit. The actual number depends on weaning weight, target exit weight, and growth rate. ### Step 2: Estimate Feed Intake per Phase Break the nursery period into phases that match your feed program. A common program uses three diets: Phase 1 is the starter diet fed for 7 to 10 days after weaning. This diet is the most complex and expensive, with high levels of digestible protein sources, dried whey, and often plasma products. Feed intake in this phase is low, typically 3 to 6 pounds per pig total. Phase 2 is a transition diet fed for 10 to 14 days. This diet has moderate complexity, with reduced levels of specialty ingredients. Feed intake in this phase is 10 to 18 pounds per pig total. Phase 3 is a simpler grower diet fed until pigs exit the nursery. This diet uses more conventional ingredients like soybean meal and corn. Feed intake in this phase is 40 to 70 pounds per pig total. These ranges are starting points. Your actual intake depends on weaning weight, health, environment, and genetics. Use your own records if you have them. If you do not have records, use conservative estimates and adjust as you collect data. ### Step 3: Calculate Total Feed Required Multiply the expected feed intake per pig by the number of pigs in the group. Add a waste factor of 3 to 5 percent for feed lost in feeders, during transport, and during delivery. A group of 500 pigs with expected intake of 80 pounds per pig needs 40,000 pounds of feed. With a 5 percent waste factor, budget for 42,000 pounds. Break this total down by phase so you know how much of each diet to order. If your program calls for 5 pounds of phase 1 per pig, 15 pounds of phase 2 per pig, and 60 pounds of phase 3 per pig, the group of 500 pigs needs 2,500 pounds of phase 1, 7,500 pounds of phase 2, and 30,000 pounds of phase 3, plus waste on each. ### Step 4: Assign Costs per Ton Get current prices for each diet from your feed supplier or calculate the cost of ingredients if you mix on farm. Prices change weekly, so use the most current numbers available. If you are budgeting for a future group, use current prices plus a contingency of 5 to 10 percent for price movement. Multiply each phase tonnage by its cost per ton to get the total feed cost for the group. Divide by the number of pigs to get feed cost per pig. This is the number you will compare against actual performance. ### Step 5: Build a Timeline Map feed deliveries to the expected timeline of the group. If pigs arrive on Monday, phase 1 feed must be in the barn before arrival. Phase 2 feed should arrive in time for the transition, typically 7 to 10 days after weaning. Phase 3 feed needs to be on hand before phase 2 runs out. Work with your feed supplier to establish delivery schedules. Most suppliers can deliver on short notice, but smaller operations may need to order several days ahead. Keep a cushion of at least one days feed in the bin at all times. Running out of feed, even for a few hours, sets pigs back and creates variation in intake. ## Feed Allocation Strategies How you allocate feed within the nursery affects both cost and performance. The goal is to give pigs the nutrients they need when they need them without overfeeding expensive ingredients. ### Phase Feeding Phase feeding means matching diet complexity to pig age and weight. The first diet after weaning is the most expensive because pigs need highly digestible ingredients to bridge the gap from sows milk to solid feed. Each subsequent phase uses less expensive ingredients as the pigs digestive system matures. The number of phases you use is a tradeoff between cost and complexity. Three phases is standard. Some operations use four phases to make the step down from phase 2 to phase 3 less abrupt. Others use two phases to simplify logistics and reduce the risk of feed errors. More phases generally mean lower feed cost per pig because you can match ingredients more precisely to pig needs, but they also mean more inventory to manage and more chances for error. ### Budget Feeding vs Full Feeding Budget feeding restricts the amount of a phase diet each pig receives. The most common application is limiting the phase 1 diet to a set amount per pig, such as 4 to 6 pounds, then switching to phase 2 regardless of how quickly pigs consume the phase 1 feed. This approach controls cost because phase 1 is the most expensive diet. Full feeding means allowing pigs to consume a phase diet as much as they want until you decide to switch based on time or weight. Full feeding the phase 1 diet typically results in higher intake of expensive ingredients and higher feed cost per pig, but may improve early growth. Most producers use a hybrid approach. They set a target amount of phase 1 feed per pig based on expected intake in the first 7 to 10 days, then switch to phase 2 when that amount is consumed or when the time period ends, whichever comes first. The same logic applies to phase 2. ### Split Sex Feeding Barrows and gilts have different growth patterns and feed intakes. Barrows typically eat more and grow faster but convert feed less efficiently. Gilts eat less, grow slightly slower, and convert feed more efficiently. If your nursery facilities allow it, consider sorting pigs by sex at weaning and feeding them separately. Barrows can receive a diet formulated for their higher intake and growth potential. Gilts can receive a diet with slightly lower energy density to control fat deposition. This approach can reduce feed cost per pound of gain by 2 to 4 percent. The practical constraint is barn space. Many nurseries are set up with mixed pens or with pens that cannot be easily segregated. If you cannot sort by sex, feed a single diet formulated for the average of the group. ### Split Weight Feeding Pigs within a weaning group can vary in weight by 3 to 5 pounds or more. Light pigs need more time to reach the target exit weight and often need a more complex diet for longer. Heavy pigs can move through the phases faster. Sorting pigs by weight into light, medium, and heavy groups allows you to adjust the feed program for each group. Light pigs stay on phase 1 or phase 2 diets longer. Heavy pigs move to phase 3 sooner. This approach reduces total feed cost because you are not feeding expensive diets to pigs that do not need them. The challenge is that light pigs often have more health issues and may not respond to diet changes as expected. Work with your veterinarian to determine whether weight sorting makes sense for your operation. ## Ingredient Selection and Cost Control Feed ingredient prices fluctuate, and the nursery phase is where ingredient choices have the biggest impact on cost per pig. Understanding which ingredients matter and which can be adjusted helps you control costs without hurting performance. ### Key Ingredients in Nursery Diets Dried whey is a primary ingredient in phase 1 and phase 2 diets. It provides lactose, which is highly digestible for young pigs and supports gut health. Dried whey is expensive and its price varies with dairy markets. Typical inclusion rates are 15 to 25 percent in phase 1 and 10 to 15 percent in phase 2. Plasma products provide immunoglobulins and highly digestible protein. They are among the most expensive ingredients in nursery diets. Inclusion rates are typically 4 to 8 percent in phase 1 diets. Some operations use plasma only in the first few days after weaning to control cost. Fish meal provides high quality protein with an excellent amino acid profile. It is less expensive than plasma but more expensive than soybean meal. Typical inclusion rates are 3 to 8 percent in phase 1 and phase 2 diets. Specialty protein sources like soy protein concentrate, potato protein, and enzyme treated soybean meal provide highly digestible protein without the antinutritional factors found in conventional soybean meal. These ingredients are used in phase 1 and early phase 2 diets. Conventional soybean meal becomes the primary protein source in phase 3 and later diets. It is much less expensive than specialty proteins. The transition from specialty proteins to soybean meal is a key cost control point. Corn or other grains provide energy. The form of the grain matters. Young pigs digest cooked or processed grains better than raw ground grain. Phase 1 diets often use cooked corn, extruded corn, or other processed grain products. Phase 3 diets can use conventional ground corn. ### Cost Saving Strategies That Work Work with your nutritionist or extension agent to evaluate ingredient substitutions. Some ingredients can be replaced without hurting performance. Others cannot. One proven strategy is to reduce phase 1 duration and phase 1 diet complexity. Many operations feed a highly complex phase 1 diet for only 3 to 5 days, then move to a simpler phase 2 diet. Research and field experience show that pigs do not need a complex phase 1 diet for the full 7 to 10 days that some feed companies recommend. Another strategy is to reduce dried whey and plasma inclusion in phase 2 diets. Pigs older than 10 days post weaning have developing enzyme systems and can handle lower lactose and immunoglobulin levels. Your nutritionist can help you find the minimum inclusion rates for your genetics and health status. Consider alternative protein sources. As fish meal prices rise, some operations switch to poultry meal, meat and bone meal, or other animal proteins. These ingredients can replace fish meal partially or fully in phase 2 and phase 3 diets. Work with your nutritionist to ensure amino acid levels remain adequate. Use feed additives selectively. Probiotics, prebiotics, organic acids, and enzymes can improve gut health and feed efficiency, but they add cost. Evaluate each additive based on your specific situation. An additive that pays for itself in a herd with health challenges may not pay for itself in a healthy herd. ### Cost Saving Strategies That Backfire Do not cut total lysine or other essential amino acids to save money. Growth will suffer, and the lost performance will cost more than the feed savings. Amino acid levels in nursery diets are set to support rapid growth. Cutting them below requirements reduces gain and increases days to market. Do not reduce energy density in early nursery diets. Young pigs need high energy intake to support growth and maintain body temperature. Diluting energy with high fiber ingredients reduces intake and slows growth. Do not substitute low quality ingredients in phase 1 diets. The whole point of phase 1 is to provide highly digestible ingredients that support gut health and smooth the transition from milk. Cheap ingredients in phase 1 lead to poor intake, diarrhea, and set back the entire group. Do not make sudden diet changes. Pigs need time to adapt to new ingredients. A sudden switch from a complex phase 2 diet to a simple phase 3 diet can cause a drop in intake and increased diarrhea. Use a gradual transition over 3 to 5 days if possible. ## [Monitoring Feed Intake](/knowledge/animal-farming/farm-management/monitoring-feed-intake-tools-techniques) and Performance A feed budget is only useful if you track actual performance against it. Monitoring lets you catch problems early, adjust feeding programs, and build better budgets for future groups. ### What to Measure Feed disappearance is the most important measurement. Weigh feed added to each bin or feeder, or track deliveries and inventory. At the end of each week, calculate feed disappearance per pig. Compare this to your budget. If intake is running ahead of budget, pigs are eating more than expected. This could mean they are growing well, or it could mean feed is being wasted. If intake is behind budget, pigs may be sick, the environment may be wrong, or the diet may not be palatable. Pig weights tell you whether intake is translating into gain. Weigh a sample of pigs at weaning, at each diet change, and at exit from the nursery. A sample of 20 to 30 pigs per group is enough to estimate group average. Track average daily gain and feed conversion. Feed conversion is feed consumed divided by weight gain. A typical nursery feed conversion is 1.2 to 1.5 pounds of feed per pound of gain, depending on weaning weight and diet complexity. Mortality and culling affect feed cost per pig weaned. Every pig that dies has consumed feed without contributing to salable weight. Track mortality by cause if possible. High mortality in the first week after weaning is often related to weaning weight, colostrum intake, or disease challenge. ### How Often to Monitor Check feed levels in feeders daily. This is part of good barn management and prevents pigs from running out of feed. It also gives you an early signal if intake drops. Calculate feed disappearance weekly. Use a simple spreadsheet or a paper log. Record feed added, pigs on feed, and estimated feed per pig. This weekly check catches problems before they become severe. Weigh pigs at each diet change and at exit. This gives you the data you need to calculate feed conversion and to evaluate whether your phase feeding program is working. ### What to Do With the Data Compare actual performance to budget. A variance of 5 percent or less is normal and reflects normal pig variation. A variance of 5 to 10 percent warrants attention. Look for causes in environment, health, feeder adjustment, or ingredient changes. A variance above 10 percent requires immediate investigation. Use the data to adjust the next budget. If the last group of pigs consumed 85 pounds of feed per pig instead of the budgeted 80 pounds, adjust the next budget upward. If feed conversion was better than expected, you may be able to reduce diet complexity or shorten a phase. Keep records for at least three years. This gives you a history of seasonal patterns, genetic changes, and management effects. Long term records help you identify trends that are not obvious from a single group. ## Common Feed Budgeting Mistakes ### Budgeting on Cost per Ton Instead of Cost per Pig Cost per ton is the number on the feed price list, but it is not the number that matters for your bottom line. A diet that costs $600 per ton but results in excellent feed conversion can be cheaper per pig than a diet that costs $500 per ton with poor conversion. Always calculate feed cost per pig and feed cost per pound of gain when comparing diets. ### Ignoring Feed Waste Feed waste is a silent cost. Poorly adjusted feeders can waste 5 to 10 percent of feed. Damaged feeders waste more. Pigs that root feed out of the feeder and onto the floor are wasting money. Check feeder adjustment regularly. The rule of thumb is that feed should cover no more than 30 to 40 percent of the feeder pan bottom. Adjust as pigs grow. ### Underestimating Intake Many producers underestimate how much feed nursery pigs will consume, especially in the later weeks of the nursery phase. This leads to running out of feed, emergency orders, and sometimes feeding the wrong diet because the correct diet is not available. Use conservative estimates and build in a waste factor. ### Overestimating Intake The opposite mistake is overestimating intake and ordering too much feed. Excess feed ties up capital and may go stale if stored too long. This is less costly than running out, but it still reduces efficiency. ### Switching Diets Too Fast Moving pigs through phases too quickly saves feed cost in the short term but can hurt performance. Pigs that are switched to a simpler diet before their digestive systems are ready will eat less, gain slower, and may develop diarrhea. The lost performance costs more than the feed savings. ### Feeding the Same Program Year Round Feed intake and growth vary by season. Pigs in a cold barn eat more feed to maintain body temperature. Pigs in a hot barn eat less. Your feed budget should reflect these seasonal patterns. If you feed the same program year round, you are either overfeeding in summer or underfeeding in winter. ### Not Adjusting for Weaning Weight A group of pigs weaned at 11 pounds will have a different feed intake and growth pattern than a group weaned at 14 pounds. If you use the same budget for all groups, you will miss the mark. Adjust your budget based on actual weaning weight. ## Decision Thresholds for Feed Program Changes Knowing when to change the feed program is as important as knowing how to build it. Some changes are planned, like moving from phase 1 to phase 2. Others are reactive, like responding to poor intake or diarrhea. ### Planned Changes Move from phase 1 to phase 2 when pigs have consumed the target amount of phase 1 feed or when the target time period has passed. Use the earlier of the two signals. If pigs reach the target intake on day 6 instead of day 8, switch on day 6. If pigs have not reached the target intake by day 10, investigate why intake is low before switching. Move from phase 2 to phase 3 using the same logic. Target intake and target time period. The transition from phase 2 to phase 3 is often the most challenging because the diet change is more dramatic. Consider a gradual transition if your feeding system allows it. ### Reactive Changes If feed intake drops by more than 10 percent from the previous day, investigate immediately. Check water supply, feeder function, barn temperature, and pig health. A single day of low intake may not be a problem, but two or more days requires action. If pigs develop diarrhea within 3 to 5 days of a diet change, the change may have been too abrupt. Consider going back to the previous diet for a few days and then transitioning more gradually. If diarrhea persists beyond 3 days or is severe, call your veterinarian. If pigs are not gaining at the expected rate, calculate feed conversion. If feed conversion is above 1.6 pounds of feed per pound of gain in the nursery, look for causes. Poor feed conversion can result from health challenges, environmental stress, feed waste, or diet formulation issues. ### Economic Thresholds When ingredient prices spike, you need to decide whether to change the diet formulation or absorb the cost. Work with your nutritionist to model the impact of ingredient substitutions. A substitution that reduces feed cost per pig by $1 but reduces average daily gain by 0.05 pounds per day may or may not be worthwhile. Calculate the cost of the lost gain and compare it to the feed savings. A general rule is to protect phase 1 diets from cost cutting. The phase 1 diet sets up the entire nursery period. Cutting corners here has ripple effects through the rest of the phase. Simplify phase 2 and phase 3 diets first if you need to reduce cost. ## Recordkeeping Systems for Feed Budgeting Good records are the foundation of accurate feed budgeting. You do not need a complex software system. A simple spreadsheet or even a paper log works if you are consistent. ### What to Record For each group of pigs, record: Date of weaning and number of pigs weaned. Average weaning weight and weaning age. This tells you the starting point for the group. Feed deliveries by date, diet type, and amount. This tells you what feed went into the barn and when. Feed disappearance by week. Calculate this from feed deliveries and inventory. This tells you actual intake per pig. Pig weights at weaning, at each diet change, and at exit. This tells you growth rate and feed conversion. Mortality and culling by date and cause if known. This tells you how many pigs are consuming feed without contributing to output. Health treatments and interventions. This helps you explain performance variation between groups. Barn conditions including temperature, ventilation settings, and any equipment problems. This helps you understand environmental effects on intake. ### How to Organize Records Use one page or one spreadsheet tab per group of pigs. This keeps the data together and makes it easy to compare groups. At the end of each group, summarize the key numbers: total feed consumed, feed per pig, average daily gain, feed conversion, mortality, and feed cost per pig. Keep a master summary of all groups. This lets you see trends over time and across seasons. Update the master summary after each group exits the nursery. ### Using Records to Improve Budgets After each group, compare actual performance to the budget. Identify the sources of variance. Was intake higher or lower than expected? Was feed conversion better or worse? Was mortality higher or lower? Use this information to adjust the next budget. Over time, you will build a picture of what your pigs actually do under your management and in your facilities. This is far more valuable than any generic budget template. ## Working With Your Nutritionist and Feed Supplier Your nutritionist and feed supplier are resources for controlling feed costs. Use them effectively. ### What to Ask Your Nutritionist Ask your nutritionist to review your feed program at least twice a year. Ingredient prices change, and new research may support changes in formulation. A regular review ensures your diets are current and cost effective. Ask for options at different price points. A good nutritionist can provide a premium diet, a standard diet, and a budget diet for each phase. You can then choose based on your pigs, your facilities, and your financial situation. Ask for an explanation of any ingredient changes. If your nutritionist recommends replacing fish meal with poultry meal, ask why and what the expected impact is on performance and cost. You should understand the reasoning behind diet changes. ### What to Ask Your Feed Supplier Ask about price trends and forward contracting. Feed suppliers can often lock in prices for future deliveries. This protects you from price spikes but also means you miss price drops. Evaluate whether forward contracting makes sense for your operation. Ask about delivery schedules and minimum order quantities. Smaller operations may need to order more frequently. Some suppliers charge delivery fees that can add up. Consolidating orders may reduce delivery costs. Ask about feed storage and shelf life. Nursery feeds with high levels of specialty ingredients may have shorter shelf lives than simple grower feeds. Make sure you are storing feed correctly and using it before it loses quality. ## When to Call a Veterinarian or Extension Agent Most feed budgeting decisions are management decisions you can make yourself. Some situations require professional help. ### Call Your Veterinarian When Feed intake drops suddenly and stays low for more than 24 hours. This can signal disease, and early intervention improves outcomes. Diarrhea is severe, bloody, or persists beyond 3 days. Diarrhea in nursery pigs can have many causes, including viral infections, bacterial infections, and dietary issues. A veterinarian can help you distinguish between them. Mortality exceeds 2 to 3 percent in the first week after weaning. High early mortality often indicates a health problem that requires diagnosis and treatment. Pigs show signs of neurological disease, respiratory distress, or other systemic illness. These conditions require prompt veterinary attention. You suspect a feed related toxicity or contamination. If pigs show signs of illness shortly after a new feed delivery, stop feeding the suspect feed and call your veterinarian. ### Call Your Extension Agent When You need help comparing ingredient prices or evaluating feed options. Extension agents have access to regional price data and can help you make informed decisions. You want to build a ration and need help with formulation. Extension services often provide ration balancing tools and guidance. You are considering a major change to your feeding program, such as switching from commercial feed to on farm mixing. An extension agent can help you evaluate the costs and benefits. You want to understand the latest research on nursery pig nutrition. Extension agents connect producers with university research and can help interpret the results. You need help setting up a recordkeeping system. Extension services often provide templates and guidance for farm records. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How much feed does a nursery pig eat per day? A newly weaned pig eats very little, often 0.2 to 0.4 pounds on the first day. Intake climbs steadily as pigs adapt to solid feed. By the third week in the nursery, pigs eat 1.5 to 2.5 pounds per day. By the end of the nursery phase at 50 to 60 pounds, pigs eat 3 to 4 pounds per day. Total intake for a six week nursery period is typically 60 to 100 pounds per pig depending on weaning weight, genetics, and health. ### What is a reasonable feed cost per pig for the nursery phase? Feed cost per pig varies widely with ingredient prices, diet complexity, and pig performance. A reasonable range for a typical three phase program is $18 to $28 per pig. The most important comparison is not your cost against a national average but your cost against your own historical performance. Track feed cost per pig for every group and look for trends. ### Should I feed a complex phase 1 diet for the full first week? Many operations feed a highly complex phase 1 diet for only 3 to 5 days, then transition to a simpler phase 2 diet. Research and field experience show that pigs do not need the most expensive phase 1 diet for the full 7 to 10 days that some feed companies recommend. Work with your nutritionist to find the right duration for your genetics and health status. ### How do I reduce feed costs in the nursery without hurting performance? Focus on reducing waste first. Check feeder adjustment, repair damaged feeders, and monitor feed disappearance. Then evaluate your phase feeding program. Shorten the phase 1 period and reduce diet complexity in phase 2. Work with your nutritionist to evaluate ingredient substitutions in phase 2 and phase 3. Protect the phase 1 diet from cost cutting. ### What is the difference between feed cost per ton and feed cost per pig? Feed cost per ton is the price of the feed. Feed cost per pig is the total feed cost for the nursery period divided by the number of pigs. A diet that costs more per ton can be cheaper per pig if it improves feed conversion and reduces days in the nursery. Always compare diets on cost per pig and cost per pound of gain, not cost per ton. ### How do I know if my feeder is wasting feed? Check the feeder adjustment regularly. Feed should cover no more than 30 to 40 percent of the feeder pan bottom. If feed is piling up in the pan or spilling onto the floor, the feeder is set too loose. If pigs are rooting and feed is falling out, adjust the flow. Weigh feed disappearance weekly and compare to expected intake. Unexplained high intake may indicate waste. ### What should I do if pigs are not eating the expected amount of feed? Check water supply first. Pigs will not eat if they cannot drink. Check barn temperature and ventilation. Pigs that are too hot or too cold will reduce intake. Check for signs of disease. If intake drops suddenly and stays low, call your veterinarian. If intake is running slightly behind budget, the cause may be weaning weight or diet palatability, and the group may simply need more time. ### How often should I review my feed budget? Review your feed budget at least monthly and at each diet change. Compare actual feed disappearance to budget and adjust as needed. After each group exits the nursery, do a full review of the budget versus actual performance. Update your records and use the data to build a better budget for the next group. ## Related Farming Guides - [Grow-Finish Pig Feed Budgeting and Cost Control](/knowledge/animal-farming/swine/grow-finish-pig-feed-budgeting-and-cost-control) This section will be populated with related farming guides. Check back for additional resources on swine production, feed management, and cost control strategies. ## Related Clinical & Scientific Guides * [Pig Enrichment Programs and Behavior Monitoring](/knowledge/animal-farming/swine/pig-enrichment-programs-and-behavior-monitoring) * [Swine Handling Facility Design for Safe Pig Movement](/knowledge/animal-farming/swine/swine-handling-facility-design-safe-pig-movement) * [Swine Feeding Management for Grow-Finish Pigs](/knowledge/animal-farming/swine/swine-feeding-management-for-grow-finish-pigs) ## References - National Pork Board: https://www.pork.org/ - USDA APHIS Swine Health: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/swine - FAO Pig Production: https://www.fao.org/pig-production-and-products/en/ - FAO Animal Production and Health: https://www.fao.org/animal-production/en/ - WOAH (World Organisation for Animal Health): https://www.woah.org/en/home/ > This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis, treatment, public-health guidance, or regulatory reporting.