What Should Kunekune Pigs Eat?
Kunekunes are efficient grazing pigs, but pasture alone does not reliably provide every nutrient required for growth, reproduction, lactation, or long-term health. A sound feeding program combines forage with a balanced swine ration, constant clean water, appropriate minerals, and regular evaluation of body condition.
Quick answer: Feed the pig in front of you. Age, workload, pregnancy, lactation, pasture quality, weather, and body condition should determine how the ration is adjusted.
Build the Diet Around Life Stage and Forage Quality
Growing pigs, breeding animals, lactating sows, mature maintenance animals, and finishing hogs have different nutritional demands. Choose a ration formulated for the correct life stage and do not dilute it heavily with produce, bread, scratch grains, or other treats that displace protein, amino acids, vitamins, and minerals.
- Provide forage when available, but evaluate its density and seasonal quality.
- Use a complete swine ration to close nutritional gaps.
- Increase support gradually for late gestation and lactation.
- Make feed changes over several days to reduce digestive upset.
For Pregnant and Lactating Sows
Our sows receive a sow blend feed from our local mill that includes a mineral package formulated for sows from Fertrell. Our sows receive it the minute we know they are confirmed bred and throughout farrowing and lactation. The feed amount changes from 2 lbs. per day to 15-20 lbs. per day after farrowing and during lactation. After their litter is weaned, they go back on regular hog ration from our mill.
For Piglets
Piglets get the sow blend as their dam nurses them and they start to explore and sample her food. Once weaned, they get 3 lbs. per day each. Some breeders free feed them which is fine, too, but we've found that they tend to not be able to stuff much more than 3 lbs. per day in their bellies. We feed 3 lbs. per day up until 6 months of age and then back them off to 2 lbs. per day for the rest of their lives, including finishing for market hogs. Any more than 2 lbs. per day seems to just convert into massive amounts of fat.
You may see our grow outs and think that we're nuts with the amount of food we offer to our piglets and that they're too fat. Another breeder shared with us one time this feeding amount and sequence some time ago. Basically, the piglet will put on a ton of extra fat until about 4-5 months of age, then they'll hit a major growth spurt and just burn through that fat like it's nothing. Take your wisdom where you find it and when it comes to experienced breeders, they tend to know a thing or two.
The Formula
We leave it up to our mill to create the feed formula though other Kunekune breeders are very specific about what percentages of protein, fat, etc. are in their Kunekune's feed. We use a 16-18% protein blend with a minimum of 1% lysine in our hog and sow feeds. It has served us well for several years, so we don't feel the need to change it.
Keep in mind that we raise production focused, pork-type Kunekunes from 200 in 12 genetic lines. This formula has worked well for us and when averaged out over the course of the market animal's life, the pig will average 2.5 lbs. of feed per day over the course of its life from farrow to finish, roughly 900-1,000 lbs. of feed.
Use Body Condition, Not Appetite Alone
Kunekunes are enthusiastic eaters and can become over-conditioned when portions are based only on appetite. Feel over the ribs, spine, shoulders, and tail head; watch movement and breathing; and compare condition over time. A pig should carry useful cover without becoming so fat that structure, fertility, heat tolerance, or mobility suffers.
Thin pigs may need more calories, better forage, parasite evaluation, dental assessment, or veterinary investigation. Overweight pigs need controlled portions and more movement while feed is backed off to a slimming 1 lbs. per day, which has worked for us and some of our fatties.
Seasonal Feeding, Water, and Feed Safety
North Texas heat can reduce intake while increasing water demand. Cold, wet, or windy weather may increase maintenance needs. Keep water clean and available at all times, protect feed from moisture and rodents, and discard moldy or spoiled ingredients. Limit treats and introduce unfamiliar foods in small amounts.
Avoid access to toxic plants, excessive salt, alcohol, moldy feed, and food waste that may contain packaging or prohibited animal products. When a pig stops eating, becomes bloated, weak, painful, or unusually quiet, treat the change as a health warning rather than a feeding preference.
Feeding Pasture Only
We only bring this up because it does pop up once in a while. There are some programs out there that are able to feed their entire Kunekune herd on forage alone, including here in Texas. The differentiator is these breeders have 100's of acres of forested land and pigs can thrive pretty well there so long as their nutrient needs are being met. The rest of us who don't have access to a vast amount of silvopasture resources must use supplemental feeding.
The Dos Lobos Feeding Standard
All of our pigs receive a corn-free, soy-free, flax-free, non-GMO feed program alongside pasture and species-appropriate forage. That ingredient policy is a ranch standard, not a claim that every other ration is unsafe or that forage eliminates the need for balanced nutrition. Much of our customer base wants alternative ingredient-fed meats.
Continue with our Feed Standards & Ingredient Policy, Kunekune Health and Body Condition guide, and Kunekune Pasture and Grazing Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Kunekune pigs live on grass alone?
No. Pasture can contribute valuable forage, exercise, and enrichment, but its nutrients change by season and usually do not provide a complete diet for every life stage.
How much should I feed a Kunekune pig?
There is no responsible universal scoop amount. Start with the feed manufacturer’s life-stage guidance, then adjust for body condition, pasture quality, weather, age, pregnancy, lactation, and activity.
Why is my Kunekune getting fat?
Common causes include unrestricted concentrate, calorie-dense treats, poor pasture movement, and portions that were not reduced when forage improved. Rule out health problems before making major changes.
Should feed changes be made immediately?
Usually no. Transition gradually over several days unless a veterinarian directs otherwise or the current feed is unsafe. Sudden changes can disrupt digestion and make it harder to identify the cause of a problem.