How to Grind Up Your Grain for Pigs

Swine diets high in protein and low in fiber help these farm animals retain the proper, healthy weight. Concentrated grains are the most common feed used to keep pigs healthy. While many different grains can be ground up and mixed together to achieve a nutritionally rich diet, corn and wheat are frequently used as feed. Purchasing grains at your feed store, then grinding them up at home allows you to attain the balance of grains that you desire.

Things You'll Need

  • Winnow screen
  • Grain mill
  • Measuring cup
  • Large bowl
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Instructions

    • 1

      Purchase grains at your local feed store. Corn, wheat, barley, oats and sorghum grains can all be fed to pigs.

    • 2

      Place wheat on the top of a winnow screen and gently shake the screen to remove the chaff and grit from the wheat before processing.

    • 3

      Clamp the grain mill to a steady surface, such as a counter top. Because grain mills require you to exert a steady amount of pressure, they must be stabilized before use. Most grain mills come with an attached clamp that can be adjusted to the size of any surface.

    • 4

      Adjust the grain mill grind setting to fine. Place a large bowl underneath the chute of the grain mill to catch the grain as it comes out.

    • 5

      Pour the grains into the hopper. Do not overfill the hopper as this can cause the grain mill to jam. You can grind the grains separately or pour in a mixture for a more nutritionally diverse feed.

    • 6

      Turn the crank of the grain mill using a steady, even pressure. As you turn the crank, the grains will be released from the hopper and go through the body of the mill, where they are crushed by the stones within. Once they are crushed, they are released through the chute into the bowl.

    • 7

      Feed the pigs the freshly ground grains according to breed specifications or veterinary recommendations immediately or store the grains in a cool, dry place to prevent rotting.