Newborn piglet: feeding and care rules at home

The profitability of pig breeding depends on the physical development of newborn piglets. The sow is able to feed the offspring if she has enough milk. If it is small or not at all, then artificial feeding is required from the first day. Complementary foods are introduced in the first month when mother's milk is available to support weak piglets so that they do not lag behind stronger piglets in weight.

Feeding methods

Newborn piglets are bottled for the first 5-7 days. Then, fermented complementary foods are gradually introduced, which are laid out in small portions in the feeders.The transition to a new type of food should be carried out within a week. Piglets up to one month of age need fresh, boiled water in bowls. Every day the piglet drinks from 0.5 to 1 liter of water. Water changes during the day 3-4 times.

The frequency of feeding animals in the first month is 7-8 times a day. To prevent overeating, containers with food not eaten within 20 minutes are emptied, washed and treated with boiling water. Overeating and non-compliance with hygiene rules will lead to indigestion, a decrease in weight gain.

The feed rate depends on the breed, the chosen type of fattening (lard or meat), ranges from 300 to 500 grams per day per head.

Newborn piglets also need a clean room with a constant air temperature of 30 degrees. With proper nutrition and care, the weight of a piglet will increase 5 times in a month.

How to feed newborn piglets without a sow?

Piglets can only be fed milk or formula for the first week. Then, cereals and herbal supplements are gradually introduced. The temperature of milk, milk mixture, cereals, water - from 40 to 38 degrees. Herbal supplements are mixed into cereals or given separately. On the 8th day, animals begin to be accustomed to eating compound feed.

In the diet of growing piglets, it is important to observe the proportions between proteins, fats, carbohydrates. The amount of protein formed in his body (weight gain) depends on the presence of amino acids, digestive process catalysts and building material at the same time.

Milk top dressing

At home, instead of mother's milk, the piglet is given whole or skimmed cow/goat milk. Milk powder labeled “for piglets” can be used as a supplement or substitute.

Prepare milk formula according to the instructions supplied with the food.For artificers, it becomes more concentrated. The mixture is prepared immediately before feeding, it is not allowed to store and use it after heating. Powdered milk formula/whole milk replacer is used in feeding newborn piglets up to 3 weeks. An expired product should not be given to animals.

Grain top dressing

After 20 days, sour milk, milk-based cereals, boiled potatoes and carrots, vitamins and microelements are introduced into the diet of piglets. Products containing a large amount of fiber are not introduced into the feed. The stomach of piglets is not able to digest coarse fibers, which will lead to diarrhea.

The composition of cereals for home cooking includes:

40-50% crushed barley;
30-20% ground oats;
9% sunflower meal;
6% fishmeal;
5% split peas;
3% feed yeast;
0.8% chalk;
0.2% s alt.

Crushed barley can be replaced with corn chips (60% of the feed rate for 1 head). Fine grain fractions are mixed with sour milk to keep the feed moist. Large grains are recommended to be steamed at the beginning of complementary foods.

Feeding with compound feed

Piglets, starting from the 2nd week, begin to give prestarter (compound feed). Ensiled corn grain, peat, subject to the purity requirements, can replace the prestarter. Prestarter can be in the form of granules, cereals, granular powder. The composition of the feed corresponds to the characteristics of the digestive system and the energy needs of the body at this stage of development.

Prestarter is not recommended to be stored indoors as the dairy components will absorb odors and be unattractive to animals.

Juicy food

In summer and autumn, complementary foods are prepared from fruits, vegetables, herbs and premixes. In the winter-spring period, ready-made dietary supplements are used.

Premixes include:

fat-, water-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K, C, B);
micronutrients (iron, copper, manganese, cob alt, iodine, selenium);
essential amino acids (lysine, methionine, threonine, tryptophan).

Vitamins are necessary to support and activate the hormonal-immune system of animals. Mineral elements affect the water-s alt metabolism in the body, the development of muscle tissue. Amino acids are needed to ensure the efficient functioning of the digestive system, which contributes to rapid weight gain. At home, as mineral supplements, you can use:

charcoal;
red clay;
chalk;
eggshell.

From the greens, newborn piglets are given bread (first chopped, then whole).

The stems, leaves, seeds of amaranth (upturned amaranth) contain:

protein;
carbs;
vitamins C, A, D, E;
provitamin rutin;
macronutrients (iron, calcium, zinc, phosphorus, magnesium);
lysine;
tannins;
fiber.

Vegetables are given boiled: potatoes, carrots. Ripe fruits are used in complementary foods, mainly pome fruits (apples, pears). Apricots, cherries are added to pitted food.

What is forbidden to give?

Piglets should not be given food that has not been completely defrosted, touched by mold.The weak immune system of newborn piglets will not be able to resist E. coli, which will lead to poisoning and death of the livestock. It is not allowed to include plants/parts of plants containing solanine in the diet: