Hi everyone, I'm after some advice if possible please.
I have had 2 GOS weaners now for 2 weeks and whilst they seem to have settled in fairly well and behave like normal young pigs for the majority of the time (they are busy outdoors digging, sleeping, drinking and are inquisitive) they don't seem to have much of an appetite compared to what I've experienced before, one worse than the other (this is only my 3rd time having pigs so still new to it all).
I had planned to stick to what I have done previously, as advised by the feed producer at 0.5kg of feed per day for every month of age, up to 2.5kgs (however I always kept it slightly under this as I know they get other things when foraging), but going by the recommended rate, they are only eating about half the amount they should for their age and over the last two days it seems to have dropped even more, today they only stood for breakfast for about 5 minutes. I will also say that over the last 2 days that they have been out foraging more as the weather has been a bit kinder, so could it be because they're finding other things to eat? I'm just concerned that they're not getting enough food and have a small appetite due to an potential illness.
They are going to the toilet ok (haven't got diarrhoea and have seen them both urinating fine). I've checked the bags of feed are in tact/not damaged and are in date. They always have clean water and clean feed troughs. They also have plenty of clean dry straw bedding.
The other weaners I've had, had a much bigger appetite and always cleared their allowance morning and evening in one sitting. Whereas the two I have now, if I gave them their recommended allowance (which I'm not doing fully as would get a lot of waste), they would leave it until the afternoon when they would come back to feed but only for a few minutes.... I will of course monitor them and call a vet if I see any other signs of illness, but wondered if anyone else has experienced this and might have some advice that could be offered, thank you