6 Best Pig Feed Crumbles For Picky Eaters Old Farmers Swear By

You walk out to the pen, and the feed you put out this morning is still sitting there, untouched. The pig looks at you, gives a little grunt, and wanders off to root in the mud instead. A pig that won’t eat is one of the most frustrating things a farmer can face, turning a simple chore into a daily worry.

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Why Your Pig is a Picky Eater & What to Look For

A "picky" pig is rarely just being stubborn. More often, it’s a signal that something isn’t quite right. The issue could be as simple as a change in the feed’s texture or as complex as an underlying health problem.

Before you blame the feed, do a quick check of the basics. Is the water fresh and clean? A pig won’t eat if it can’t drink. Is the feeder soiled or moldy? They have a powerful sense of smell and will reject anything that seems off. Stress from a new environment, temperature changes, or bullying from pen-mates can also put a pig off its feed.

When you do suspect the feed, look for signs of quality. A good crumble should have a consistent texture without a lot of fine, powdery dust, which pigs dislike. High palatability often comes from ingredients like high-quality soybean meal, whey, or a touch of molasses for sweetness. If a feed smells musty or stale to you, it definitely smells bad to your pig.

Purina Nature’s Match: A Reliable All-Rounder

If you’re looking for a starting point, this is it. Purina is available everywhere, and their Nature’s Match line is a dependable, no-nonsense feed that countless pigs have grown up on. It’s formulated to provide complete nutrition without a lot of fancy, expensive additives.

The strength of Nature’s Match is its consistency. Bag after bag, the formula, texture, and aroma are the same, which is crucial for sensitive eaters. A sudden change in their meal can be enough to make a pig suspicious, and this feed’s reliability helps avoid that problem entirely.

This isn’t a high-octane show feed, and that’s the point. It’s a balanced, affordable, and palatable option that serves as a great baseline. If your pig is healthy but still refuses to eat Nature’s Match, you know you likely need to step up to a feed with more powerful flavor enhancers.

Kalmbach Tribute Right Choice: For Added Flavor

When a standard feed just isn’t cutting it, Kalmbach is often the next call. This company puts a heavy emphasis on palatability, engineering their feeds to have a specific taste and aroma that encourages pigs to eat, even when they’re feeling off.

Tribute Right Choice often includes unique flavor compounds and high-quality protein and fat sources that make it richer than a standard grower feed. It’s the kind of feed you open and can immediately smell the difference. That aroma is a powerful tool for stimulating a sluggish appetite.

This is a fantastic option for getting a pig back on track after a period of stress, like weaning, transport, or a minor illness. The enhanced flavor can be just the thing to coax them back to the feeder. The tradeoff is a slightly higher price point, but when you need a pig to eat, it’s often worth it.

Nutrena Country Feeds: Consistent & Palatable

Nutrena is another pillar in the feed world, known for producing solid, reliable products. Their Country Feeds line is a workhorse, balancing cost-effectiveness with the quality needed to keep animals healthy and growing.

Like Purina, Nutrena’s biggest advantage is its unwavering consistency. They have rigorous quality control, meaning the crumble your pig loved from the last bag will be the same in the next one. This predictability is calming for a picky animal and removes a major variable from the feeding equation.

The formulation is straightforward and effective, providing all the necessary protein, vitamins, and minerals in a palatable base. It’s a great middle-ground feed that delivers results without the premium price tag of a specialized show ration.

Honor Show Chow Showpig: For Maximum Intake

Show feeds are built for a single purpose: to get an animal to consume the maximum amount of feed possible to achieve a specific condition. This makes them incredibly effective for tempting the pickiest of eaters. Honor Show Chow is a top-tier example of this philosophy.

These feeds are packed with highly digestible and extremely palatable ingredients you won’t find in standard rations. Think milk products, plasma proteins, and specialty fats that create an irresistible flavor and aroma. If a pig won’t eat this, you should seriously consider calling a vet.

The downside is obvious: this is an expensive feed. It’s formulated for performance, not for raising a homestead pig on a budget. However, for a pig that has lost significant weight or is stubbornly refusing all else, a bag of show feed can be a powerful tool to break the hunger strike and get them back on track.

ADM Pen Pals Grower: Balanced Nutrition Boost

ADM is a company deeply rooted in nutritional science, and their Pen Pals line reflects that. This feed is designed not just to taste good, but to actively support the pig’s digestive health, which is often linked to a good appetite.

Pen Pals feeds are formulated with a precise balance of amino acids, probiotics, and prebiotics. This focus on gut health means the nutrients are more easily absorbed, and the pig simply feels better. A pig with a calm, efficient digestive system is almost always a more enthusiastic eater.

This is a great choice if you suspect your pig’s pickiness might be related to minor digestive upset. While it’s very palatable, its real strength lies in its holistic approach to nutrition. It’s about solving the problem from the inside out, rather than just masking it with flavor.

Kent Home Fresh Show Pig: Old-Fashioned Quality

Kent is a brand that has built a fiercely loyal following over the years, often found in smaller, independent feed co-ops. Their reputation is built on using high-quality, traditional ingredients without cutting corners.

The Home Fresh line is a perfect example. The palatability doesn’t come from a long list of artificial flavorings, but from the quality of the core components: excellent-grade corn and soybean meal, properly balanced for energy and protein. It’s a simple, proven approach that works.

Choosing Kent often feels like you’re buying a feed made with an older, more deliberate philosophy. It’s a solid, nutrient-dense crumble that pigs take to readily. For farmers who prioritize straightforward quality over complex formulas, Kent is a brand that consistently delivers.

Tips for Transitioning Feeds Without Upset

Never switch a pig’s feed cold turkey. Their digestive system is sensitive, and a sudden change is a surefire way to cause scours, feed refusal, or both. The key is a slow, gradual transition over a week or more.

A reliable method is the four-step process. For 2-3 days, mix 75% of the old feed with 25% of the new. If all is well, move to a 50/50 mix for another few days. Then, shift to 25% old and 75% new, before finally moving to 100% of the new feed. Watch the pig and their manure at every step.

If you have a particularly stubborn pig, a few tricks can help. Mixing the feed with a little warm water can create a mash and release the aroma, making it more appealing. You can also add a very small amount of a high-value topper, like plain yogurt or canned pumpkin, to the first few meals to encourage them to try the new stuff. Just be careful not to create a new habit where they only eat with the topper.

Ultimately, finding the right feed for a picky pig is a process of patient observation and elimination. Start with a reliable all-rounder, check for environmental stressors, and don’t hesitate to invest in a more palatable formula if needed. A healthy pig is a hungry pig, and getting the feed right is the foundation of their well-being.