Mama neglect

autimarie513 · #1 08/17/12, 07:49 PM

Ok, so I wrote yesterday that one of my sows had a litter Wednesday, well today my second sow had her babies. She delivered 9 all big and healthy, however mama totally neglected babies, she even tried killing them. I put them in with other mama in hopes that she will adopt them. Has anyon experienced this? Wednesday's mama seemed welcoming to the new additions, but I am worried that she won't be able to nurse 18 babies. When I would pick them up to bring them to her and they squealed she got real worked up and their mama didn't even care, she actually growled at babies on the other side of the fence. Any advice is appreciated.

Marshloft · #2 08/18/12, 12:13 AM

Well dang,, you're havin a hard time huh? I have been hoping that someone more experienced than myself would come along and give some sage advice.
18 piggies huh? Thats a bunch for one sow, now if she had 18 teats,, well,, different story,, she might could do it.
The best I can offer is to alternate feedings somehow. I wouldn't put your newest back in with meany tho,,, she's pork sausage as far as I can tell.
Can you keep both litters together and yet somehow alternate feeding times? Just a thought.

CJBegins · #3 08/18/12, 05:36 AM

Did the newest litter get to nurse their mother at all for colostrum? You will have to supplement the entire litter with milk replacer at first and then within a week you can add grower pellets to the milk. You will need and area that is fenced off with bars so that only the piglets can get through that the momma can't tear up cause she will want in. Pour your milk in pans with low sides so the piglets can find the milk, they will make a mess of it but once they find it the will figure out that it's good stuff. Be sure and really feed momma sow cause she will do her best to feed all 18 and it takes a lot of calories.

Ronney · #4 08/18/12, 05:54 AM

This is a hard one. Your sow is probably suffering from "gilt hysteria" and despite the name, it is not confined to gilts. She is not automatically dog tucker, next time she farrows she will probably be a right as rain.

In the meantime do as CJ has advised. I've done this in the past with cow milk and barley/maize meal and have reared the piglets through to weaning without losing one. As CJ says, they will make a right mess of it to start with - they will lie in it, spread it all over the pen, themselves and anything else within reach but then the penny will drop and work out that it's pretty good stuff to eat

Cheers,
Ronnie