9 Ways to Get Weaned Piglets to Eat.

Are you struggling to get your weaned piglets to eat? Look no further! In this enchanting guide, we will unveil 9 captivating ways to encourage these adorable little creatures to indulge in their meals.

 

Getting weaned Piglets to Eat.

As a pig farmer, you should know that pig weaning is a stressful process. There are many reasons for weaning your piglets, but there is no question about that; it is a stressful time for them as well. 

 

The stress of being separated from their mothers can cause them to lose their appetite, lose weight and even make them sick. This post describes the top nine strategies for getting your piglets started on feed after weaning them.

 

Management Practices.

It is common to see piglets refuse to eat after they have been weaned. Most piglets can begin eating solid feed within 1–3 days after weaning.

 

For weaners to accept solid feed, it is necessary to provide adequate space to move around and sufficient access to the feed. Pigs that are too crowded have a higher risk of injury than pigs that are not.

 

It is essential to keep weaner pens clean. This will reduce the chance of disease transmission and improve the pigs’ ability to maintain body weight.

 

Also, pigs with access to water and dry bedding have a better chance of accepting feed than those that do not.

Also read 9 Best Breeds of Pigs for Commercial Farming.

 

Mat feeding

When pigs are weaned, they need to be taught how to eat by the feeders. The way to do this is to place a small amount of food on the mat or a flat surface container close to the feeder.

You may do this 2–3 times daily for the first 5 days, afterwards, put the feed in the feeder and wait for the pig to eat.

 

Then, increase the amount of food gradually. Pigs will eat from the feeders when they want to eat. This strategy helps to maintain the consistency of feeding post-weaning and reduces the detrimental effect of post-weaning stress such as weight loss on the pigs.

 

 

Feeding Creep Ration.

Most pig farmers think that giving creep feed to weaned piglets is a waste of money, but this is not the case. Pigs that were weaned and given creep feed gain weight more quickly in the first half of their lives.

 

For creep-feeding weaners, the best starter diet is one that comprises a higher quality ingredient than the regular weaner diet.

 

You must keep creep feed fresh, and away from direct sunlight in feeders or troughs, so it doesn’t get over-watered or dry out.

 

However, it is essential to manage creep feeding carefully to avoid increasing the cost of weaning beyond the return.

Alter the Diet Gradually.

It is essential to have an adequate feed intake in the first few days after weaning the piglets. To provide some consistency and maintain the level of nutrition before weaning, it is necessary to change the diet gradually and to offer the same diet as fed before weaning for a while before you withdraw the creep feed completely.

  

You should start by changing your diet slowly. You can do this by giving them smaller amounts of food at first. This will allow you to monitor how they react.

 

Before you fully withdraw the meal that the piglets eat before weaning, it is essential to consider numerous factors.

These include the piglets’ reaction to the feed (acceptability), the weather conditions in their environment, the health status of the animals, and more. Taking these factors into account will ensure a smooth and successful transition for the piglets.

 

Make sure that you provide your pigs with a variety of different foods. For example, give them grains, vegetables, fruits, and soybeans.

 

 

Provide Proper Water Supply

To keep your nursery pigs healthy, provide them with clean drinking water. If you don’t, you might end up with problems such as diarrhoea. 

 

Adequate water intake is essential to proper feed intake in weaned piglets. Therefore, provide a good supply of clean fresh water for your piglets post-weaning to make them eat more.

 

Properly setting up your watering devices (automatic or bowl drinkers) is key to ensuring optimal pig hydration. You must be sure that the water is always clean for the pigs. You should first filter the water to remove any impurities.

 

 

Suckling piglets

Allow Social Interaction during feeding

Socialization with other piglets during feeding is a great way to encourage them to eat more. Piglets that socialize with others during feeding eat more than those that are not.

 

The reason is that the piglets get used to seeing other piglets eating and become more comfortable with them.

 

The pigs who are not socialized with others feed by themselves and are less likely to eat because they do not see others eating.

 

 

Diet digestibility.

Digestibility is a measure of how well the digestive system can process feed. An increase in feed intake is achieved by improved digestibility of feed in the pig’s diet.

 

The cereals, fish meal, and simple sugars are fortified in the nursery diet, the benefits of such a diet are still worth it.

 

There are many advantages to enhancing the digestibility of feed. This includes improving feed conversion efficiency, decreasing feed expenses, and enhancing animal health.

Milk Replacers Combined with High-Quality Starter Diet

Nutritional stress can make pigs sick, and they can even die. One way for pigs to get better at eating post-weaning is to feed them a high-quality diet combined with a milk replacer.

 

Therefore, start feeding them the starter diets when they are four or five weeks old. This makes them more likely to eat better and gain weight.

 

 

Gruel Feeding Ration.

Pigs are very sensitive to changes in their diet. After a few days, the piglets will feel hungry. The best thing to do to feed them is to give them gruel.

 

You can either mix it with milk or water or just add some cereal to the mixture. Gruel is a liquid made from cereal and water.

 

It is high in protein and contains vitamins and minerals. It will make the piglets happy and healthy.

 

 

Disclaimer

The information in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional veterinary or agricultural advice. Always consult a qualified expert for any concerns before making decisions regarding your pig farming practices.