weaning first litter 2 questions

palm farmer · #1 02/02/15, 08:37 AM

ok so entering week 5 they have been creep feeding for 2 weeks now, I feed and pen them separate when I feed the sows, they eat the clover I cut n feed right along side sows. My plan is to leave them penned longer and longer through this week and Saturday Mom gets rotated out back into the big pen with Boar and her sisters. Do most folks hold them a week or so after being fully weaned before selling or can they start to go anytime now?

ErikaMay · #2 02/02/15, 10:35 AM

I like to hold them that way if there are any problems like scouring you can deal with them and and your customers get healthy piglets. Nice looking litter!

palm farmer · #3 02/02/15, 11:02 AM

thanks, i think my birthweights were lower than could have been

muleman232 · #4 02/02/15, 11:07 AM

Our last three left today. We did everything about the same as you with some exceptions. Ours ate feed for one week while on the sow. We then castrated the males and separated the pigs and sow for a week , before we let them go. Everything went well , no problems.

**highlands** · #5 02/02/15, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by palm farmer

Do most folks hold them a week or so after being fully weaned before selling or can they start to go anytime now?

We like to hold a week or two post weaning as that is a stressful time coming off of the sow plus that gives us time to inspect, select, tame and train the piglets. Then we know our buyers are getting good stock that has its feet solidly on the ground.

-Walter

3acres · #6 02/02/15, 11:27 AM

Very nice looking litter! Looks like they have done very well! I too feel holding them awhile after weaning is a good practice.

Bubbas Boys · #7 02/02/15, 12:05 PM

I am a little confused on exactly what creep feeding is.

**highlands** · #8 02/02/15, 01:29 PM

Create a place where only certain size or agility animals can get in and out. Place food in said place. Specific animals eat food but other animals can't.

-Walter

gerold · #9 02/02/15, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bubbas Boys

I am a little confused on exactly what creep feeding is.

If you have your sow and piglets in a shed etc. making a place on one side or in a corner for the pigs to go sleep or eat where the sow can't get to them or crush them while they sleep. A couple wide boards with good support on each end and attached to the wall and high enough for only the pigs to go in and out. It does cut down on the sow laying down on a pig and crushing it. Also in the cool weather if a heat lamp is used put it over the creep area were the pigs sleep.

Wanda · #10 02/02/15, 05:44 PM

I always understood the term ''creep'' as referring to an area specifically designed so only the pigs of a certain size could access the area for extra feed and supplements.

palm farmer · #11 02/02/15, 08:36 PM

the feed they get is a high protein mix and I have been mashing up boiled eggs with it too

Bubbas Boys · #12 02/04/15, 06:26 AM

Ok thanks. Sorry to get off the topic from OP! haha