The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: reedos on January 09, 2014, 02:13:51 pm
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Our pig surprised us with piglets at the beginning of December, since which time they've been kept stabled with Mum and are doing fine. Mum however is I think starting to get fed up of being inside.
My question is at what age is it best for them to go outside into their paddock? Should I wait until they are 8 weeks old and wean them outside? Or take mum outside in a couple of weeks and leave thm in the stable?
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It's usual to move the sow and leave the piglets in their familiar territory. Keep an eye on the sow if she's getting fed up with them. It's unlikely, but not unknown, for a sow to turn on piglets. Is your ground a swamp? It may be worth weaning early.
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If you have the time letting mum out on her own for a wander 2 or 3 x a day can be helpful when they're getting a bit stir crazy, they go back in quite happily to feed once they've had some quality time on their own! ;D
Otherwise as Marches Farmer you could wean early especially if they're a big litter or monster piglets. Take mum out of sight & earshot, reduce her feed to normal rate & keep an eye on her undercarriage which will be painfully full of milk for a few days. We sometimes find a tin of beer & a couple of ibruprofen can be helpful if they're particularly grumpy & swollen ;D
HTh
Mandy :pig: