Weaning and other questions

[ajai01469]

Do we move mom up to barn or the piglets? How long do we keep them separated? How do we make the piglets friendly like mom? How much should the piglets be eating?

They eat the same veggies as mom, they love copying her. They will be five weeks next Sunday so we are going to do it then.

Do they need a heat source for the winter? We are blocking off the front of the pig hut so it's just wide enough for them to get in, that way it has a good wind barrier. We were also going to put straw and shavings inside. There is a heat lamp in there from when the piglets were first born bc that first night was below freezing. But we stopped using it when they were about a week and a half old.

Mom is great! We didn't lose one piglet, and she has been a great mother to them and has tolerated me and my bf being around the piglets as long as we don't make them squeal

Any tips on weaning and winterizing would be great. This is our first litter and winter. Thanks!

[Fire-Man]

Originally Posted by ajai01469

Do we move mom up to barn or the piglets? How long do we keep them separated? How do we make the piglets friendly like mom? How much should the piglets be eating?

They eat the same veggies as mom, they love copying her. They will be five weeks next Sunday so we are going to do it then.

Do they need a heat source for the winter? We are blocking off the front of the pig hut so it's just wide enough for them to get in, that way it has a good wind barrier. We were also going to put straw and shavings inside. There is a heat lamp in there from when the piglets were first born bc that first night was below freezing. But we stopped using it when they were about a week and a half old.

Mom is great! We didn't lose one piglet, and she has been a great mother to them and has tolerated me and my bf being around the piglets as long as we don't make them squeal

Any tips on weaning and winterizing would be great. This is our first litter and winter. Thanks!

I am sure people do it different ways. I fix a area that the pigs can get into to eat but mom will no be able to get in. I feed the Pigs All they want to eat with extra laying in the trough. If you want to separate, I close this area so the pigs stay in. Mine are on a pasture so I let them run with mom but have their own feeding area as stated.

While the pigs are in their area eating I get in it with them and rub/scratch/etc/never be over pushy----never trying to grab one to hold. They will get use to you real soon.

[ErikaMay]

Move momma. You want things to be as normal for the piglets as possible. Much less stressful. She'll be happy for the rest. I let the runt stay with mom for a week or two extra and it helped her grow a bit more.

[highlands]

Originally Posted by ajai01469

Do we move mom up to barn or the piglets?

We don't have barns but rather move the piglets through a series of weaning paddocks that are strongly fenced and away from the drying sows. See a picture here:

http://SugarMtnFarm.com/2013/09/25/s...aning-paddock/

This teaches the piglets all the different types of fencing we use on the farm as well as giving them a chance to learn new foods, learn about waterers, learn to be away from the sow, wean and be tamed by interaction with us and the livestock dogs.

Originally Posted by ajai01469

How long do we keep them separated?

About a month so that you can properly tame them. The sow mostly dries up in about three days and is ready to rebreed at seven days. But if you put the piglets back with her then you'll miss the opportunity to tame them.

Originally Posted by ajai01469

How do we make the piglets friendly like mom?

Taming. Work with them daily. Bring them treats. Call them when you feed them. See:

http://sugarmtnfarm.com/2011/11/09/p...ready-to-wean/

http://sugarmtnfarm.com/2013/01/07/h...inter-growers/

This is highly effective and important to do.

Originally Posted by ajai01469

How much should the piglets be eating?

As much as they can. Rather than worrying about pounds of feed just free feed them everything they'll eat and give them free access to pasture ideally. A restricted diet will slow growth. Their needs will rapidly change as they grow.

Originally Posted by ajai01469

Do they need a heat source for the winter?

Probably not but it is hard to say not knowing what zone you are in. Where are you located? Climate?

(If everyone could put their state, zone or other location information in their profile so it appears that would help with other people being able to tailor answers to climates. Texas is very different than Vermont for example.)

Here in the mountains of northern central Vermont we are in pretty extreme cold climate (Zone 3) with lots of wind and don't heat our pigs in the winter. They generate a lot of heat themselves. We do work to up the calories as possible, provide wind block with open sheds & terrain, deep bedding packs and plenty of hay to snuggle down in to get a warmer micro-climate.

I would recommend not farrowing through the winter - it's very hard - but piglets born now do great through the winter even in our cold.

Mud season in the fall and again in the spring is actually the worst time with the wet cold. The dead of winter is dry although deep snows.

[ajai01469]

Thanks for all the info! We will move mom to the barn, she has a two horse stall and gets lots of attention up there. We don't have enough pasture to split it so this will be the easiest way.

Highlands we are located in western mass. I'm sure our winters aren't as bad as yours. Lol we have no plans of farrowing in the winter. Mom was pregnant when we got her

The piglets already come up to us and let us pet them a little, but it will be nice to be able to give me treats without momma there

[ajai01469]

well we weaned the pigs today. Mom is not happy. She walked calmly up to the barn and we were able to lock her in there. The piglets stayed in the pasture. Mom is trying to break down the walls to get out, but its reinforced pretty well. The piglets seem to be doing fine. They are eating and drinking on their own. And don't seem to be looking for mom to much. I think she is more upset than they are.

Any tips to help her calm down?

[highlands]

Food. Keep them well separate. Ideally double fences, >50' apart, visual barrier, electric both. In about three days she should dry up and be fine. Keep the piglets calm by having everything they need for them. Food, bedding, wind protection, water.