The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: WinslowPorker on October 10, 2012, 09:04:50 pm

Title: Nervous weaners
Post by: WinslowPorker on October 10, 2012, 09:04:50 pm

Hi all,


Just got some more weaners from a bloke who said they were 12 weeks but to be honest I think they are probably 8-10 as they just seems so small, anyway when we go in a feed time they come up quite happy and inquisitive but as soon as we try to touch/ stoke them they squeal like mad and run all over he place?? So my question is how do we tame them so they are not so frightened or is it just a stage?


As usual all tips and info greatly received


Wp :wave:

Title: Re: Nervous weaners
Post by: mattjen on October 10, 2012, 09:09:21 pm

i always just crouch down with them at every feed and they soon get used to you and after a while wont leave you alone,have fun! :pig: ;D

Title: Re: Nervous weaners
Post by: Mrs Snoodles on October 10, 2012, 09:18:09 pm

We always found that feeding veg by hand was a good way of winning ours over.  We also waited until they were feeding, then gently rubbed their backs, bit by bit.  Just take it easy, they will soon start to trust you.  It is nice to sit with them too for a bit, get a bale or crate and just let them discover you. 
They don't like their bellies being touch so much by the way, but they will soon get to love a good back scratch.

Title: Re: Nervous weaners
Post by: HappyHippy on October 11, 2012, 08:33:12 am

Yup, just a stage that'll soon pass  :thumbsup:
I sit in the pen for a while and eventually they all come over for a nosey - they get the idea soon enough  :innocent:

Title: Re: Nervous weaners
Post by: hughesy on October 11, 2012, 08:43:33 am

We've got a litter of 8 weeks here. They're very inquisitive, biting your wellies, trying to get at the bucket you're carrying etc, but try to stroke one or pick one up and they're off. They'll soon realise that you're no threat.

Title: Re: Nervous weaners
Post by: Rosemary on October 11, 2012, 09:24:46 am

Apple slices  :thumbsup: It's worked for every lot of weaners we've ever had.

Title: Re: Nervous weaners
Post by: Fowgill Farm on October 11, 2012, 09:42:59 am

Ditto what all the others have said, we always tell people who buy weaners to go sit in the straw outside their house and their natural curiousity wil make them come to see you, don't try to touch them at first just build up confidence and then they'll be right for scratches and tummy tickles. Also check your perimeters are fox proof we had one prowling around and that made them very jumpy too, they also didn't like loud noises like banging gates or tractors.
You have to remember at the end of the day they're only babies and this is all new & strange to them.
HTH Enjoy your pigs.
mandy :pig:

Title: Re: Nervous weaners
Post by: princesspiggy on October 11, 2012, 09:47:42 am

we stroke our babies when they are eating, they can be flittish but soon settle down. rub their backs and progress to tickling bellies.