[Tamsaddle]

I have just received the Perfect Pigs book from Oaklands Pigs and was horrified to see how just much extra feed a lactating sow should be getting.  Our 10 Tamworth piglets are 8 days old today, and we had only been giving the sow between 1 and 3 lbs extra nuts a day.   As a result she has today had a mid morning snack and lunch adding an extra 2 lbs to breakfast of 3.5 lbs.  Given we have not yet increased the feed by a pound each day as the book recommends, would it be a good idea to increase her feed gradually - a further 5.5 lbs for tea today will bring her up to Day 6 levels, or just give her the Day 8 levels immediately?    Will she start to scour if she gets too much too soon? 

Also, when the piglets are finally weaned at 8 weeks, should one decrease the sow's feed gradually, or all in one go?    I imagine that from 4 to 8 weeks the piglets will be eating increasing quantities of nuts themselves, so does the sow's milk production decrease accordingly?    Wish I knew the answers to all these questions - hoping someone can help - Tamsaddle

[robert waddell]

the answers should be in the book

[HappyHippy]

I'd gradually increase her over 2 or 3 days (too much in one go could make her scour or give her constipation)
Also remember she'll be drinking LOADS of water too (up to 50 litres a day) so make provision for that too 
When you wean I would cut her right back to her normal rations (pre-piglets) straight away rather than gradually. Make sure the piglets are out of earshot and sight or she will continue to lactate in response to them. And pay close attention to her udder for a couple of days to make sure there's no sign of mastitus (but less chance by immediate cut off of food rather than a gradual decrease - hope that makes sense) Some folk give the sow nothing for 2 days post weaning to do away with the risk of mastitus, but I think that's a bit mean 
Hope that helps
Karen 

[oaklandspigs]

Tamsaddle,

Yes we recommend increasing the feed gradually.

To quote from the book :
"Once the litter is born the sow will have her normal 6lb a day, then add 1lb per day up to the number of piglets. So a sow with 12 piglets has 6lb (2.73kg) on day 1, 7lb (3.18kg) on day 2, up to 18lb (8.18kg) on day 12. She will stay on this until the piglets wean. Most sows do not need this quantity and you will find they leave food in the trough, so decrease the amount. Some sows bring up a litter and remain in relatively good condition, others will go very thin and lose hair. For these type of sows we will increase the feed again. Just make a judgement on how much more you think she needs, you can’t really over feed a sow who is feeding a litter, the figures are a guide. We tend to find that most sows will eat about twice or two and a half times their normal ration i.e. about 12lb to 15lb (5.5kg-6.5kg)"

As we say, these are guidelines, not forumulas, watch your sow and adjust accordingly.

[Fowgill Farm]

We build our farrowed sows up gradually too, and try to feed the increased amount over 3 feeds, morning, 4pm and evening about 9.30pm, giving a larger feed in the morning and two smaller ones later. We've found that this way she doesn't get too much all in one go and it keeps her strength up, it also means that you're checking her 3x day and can keep an eye out for anything untoward. You'll be able to gauge what she wants as the days go by.
Watch out for her going off her food this is a sign all is not well and needs immediate attention.
HTH & enjoy your babies
Mandy

[Tamsaddle]

Thanks for the comments.   We are feeding three times a day now instead of two, and she seems happier and less ravenous.   So far no sign of going off her food - rather the opposite.    Masses of drinking water available.   Another thing I wondered is whether piglets need drinking water too, or do they get everything they need in the milk?    The piglets are growing so fast it seems quite difficult fitting everybody on a teat in one feeding session, and the last 2 days there has been a lot of squealing, with one piglet getting its tail quite badly bitten.    I have been running round the paddock with the purple antiseptic spray and managed to get it everywhere except the target area, but eventually the tail ended up purple too.   What a steep learning curve it is having a first time litter!

[Fowgill Farm]

The piglets should get enough from mum initially but we offer water once they start to take creep feed at 3wks old.
Squabbling at feeding time is normal, you'll find the bigger piglets taking the milkier front teats with the smaller ones at the back teats, so long as all appear to be getting something and do quieten down to suckle and then fall asleep they're fine. There can be some nasty nips so keep an eye out for small injuries espeically to runts.
And yes its a steep learning curve with a first litter but would you have it any different, piglets feeding happily while mum grunts away is such an awesome sight, sometimes brings a tear to my eye if i'm feeling a bit soppy and so pround of my girl!
HTh, enjoy your babies its amazing how quickly they'll grow.
Mandy 

[Tamsaddle]

Thanks Mandy.   We are enjoying them enormously - now they have started frolicking around in the grass too.   Sometimes they just leap into the air, like lambs.   Or all ten of them scamper off together as if it was a race track.   Absolutely brilliant.   Most feeds are quiet and peaceful, and I love that low grunting noise too.   Saddleback next door is looking very miffed and lonely, but only 7 days to go for her if she farrows on time - Tamsaddle