[Bodger]

We intend weaning Pru's piglets next weekend, which shouldn't prove to be too difficult, because they truly are eating like pigs. Pru will be shunted off from the ark that she's sharing with her spotty babes, up to the pig sty where she actually gave birth to them and the piglets will remain where they are. There are a few questions that I need to ask though.
The piglets will be eight weeks old and I have eight of them. I'll worm them straight away but I'm not sure how much food I should be giving them after Pru's milk bar has been removed? Gloucester Old Spots are a traditional breed that can if over fed, become excessively fat and I want to provide my customers with good quality meat that's not too fatty, so I could do with some help and advice on that. One or two pig keepers have told me that they feed their 'traditionals' on sow pellets rather than fattening pellets, is that a good idea? 
The other thing that I'm thinking of doing, is keeping two gilts back with a view to them becoming future breeding stock. I'm planning to split them from their brothers at quite an early stage and possibly giving them some slightly preferential treatment. What extras if any, could I, or should I consider giving them? I have for example, still got an almost full bag of milk replacement from when Pru was ill after the birth of the piglets, so I was thinking of adding some of that to their feed. What do you pig keepers think?

[HappyHippy]

Hi,
We normally start away giving the piglets around 1.5lbs each per day at 8 weeks old and gradually increase it as their systems adjust. You can sometimes find they scour a wee bit at weaning as their systems readjust to lack of milk but providing you keep the rations slightly on the low side it soon clears up (we find).
I wouldn't go for 'grower' or 'fattener' or 'finisher' food, it tends to be more expensive for one thing and the other reason is it's a higher protein than the traditional breeds really need. Something round about 16% protein will do them fine 
I don't see any harm in giving them a little milk replacer as a top up (saves waste  ) but you don't want them to get fat, especially if you plan on breeding them - I'd give a bit of fruit & veg for variety and avoid barley & other grains.

We also only give mum a handful of feed on the day we wean the piglets, it helps dry her up quicker and reduces the risk of mastitis. Slowly up it over the following days to her usual ration, providing she's still in good condition - if she's too fat or thin adjust a little to compensate.
HTH
Karen

[Bodger]

Many thanks for that Karen, I'll no doubt be back for further advice.

[hughesy]

We stick to sow feed for all of ours. Can't see the point of paying extra for grower pellets. That said it's unlikely that they will pile on fat at the 2-4 months stage they will be putting all their energy into growing. Sticking roughly to the 1lb a day per month of age rule seems to work for us but we don't increase it beyond 4lb.   I keep a close eye on condition once they get to four months and adjust feeding accordingly. We have a supply of fruit and veg but generally only use this for the adult pigs as it can be difficult to judge exactly what they're getting. Easier to control the growth and condition of meat pigs when you can manage their feed precisely. Also remember that all pigs are different so what works for one keeper might not have the same results for you. That's why monitoring their condition is so important if you want a good carcass.

[Fowgill Farm]

We do much the same as Hughsey for the weaners, keep them on 16% sow nuts and 1lb per month of age up to 5ths and then we gauge by eye whether they need to go upto 6lb. We aim to send porkers at 24wks old, baconers about 30wks old.
http://www.gospbc.co.uk/so-you-want-to-keep-pigs-part-4/ will give you an idea as to how i decide they're ready! HTH
Mum we take away from the piglets so she is out of sight and earshot, she has access to water and we knock her feed straight back down to her normal rate (4lb), just keep an eye on her undercarriage, it should shrink back after a couple of days and then she'll be shouting for the boar, lol.
HTh
mandy

[Marches Farmer]

A very experienced GOS pig breeder (Pamela Treadgold, now, alas, deceased) told us to time how long it took the pigs to eat.  Sows and boars should polish off their feed in 10 minutes, weaners and young growers in 20, decreasing as they grow. 

Make sure the gilts you keep for breeding have a minimum of 14 teats and are good conformation, well set up on their pasterns.  Only ever breed from the very, very best - anything else is storing up trouble!

[Bodger]

We moved Pru away from her piglets and out up to the pig sty this morning. Since then, we've weighed exactly how much food there is in a scoop, so we now know exactly how much to feed to our pigs. Pru is going to be on 4lb of sow pellets a day and the piglets will be getting 16lb between them.
We've also wormed the piglets and Pru will be getting a dosing this evening. The move was absolutely hassle free and went very smoothly. The fun will start this evening when it dawns on the ducks that they've been evicted from their sty and they're are expected to sleep elsewhere.