Author Topic: introducing creep feed (Read 3900 times)

princesspiggy · « **on:** March 15, 2012, 02:15:02 pm »

when does everyone else start introducing creep feed. our piglets are 3 weeks today and scoffing anything insight. off to get some weaner pellets!

HappyHippy · « **Reply #1 on:** March 15, 2012, 02:41:09 pm »

Ours usually start stealing mum's between 2 and 3 weeks old too - Adelaide (wee Kunekune sow) has the best 'head flick' of all our pigs, for sending them tumbling on their way

JulieS · « **Reply #2 on:** March 15, 2012, 03:13:17 pm »

Mine get to share their Mum's Sow and Weaner pellets (that's if they let them) ....they usually start joining in at feed times at around 2- 3 weeks too

robert waddell · « **Reply #3 on:** March 15, 2012, 08:14:38 pm »

you have to be carefull with creep feeding if the protein is 22% as opposed to 16% they will s**t themselves far better increasing mothers feed to accommodate the young ones eating mothers food our Hampshire was on 10 kilos a day and still went skeletal

princesspiggy · « **Reply #4 on:** March 15, 2012, 08:31:35 pm »

the sow is on the big rolls, they r trying to eat that but dont think they can manage. they stole the ducks food today so will have to get some proper stuff tomorow.
they r play fighting like mad, 6 boars. last yr we only had 1 boar and never noticed them fighting. they run like the clappers and start playing in the haylage. big timewasters!

robert waddell · « **Reply #5 on:** March 15, 2012, 08:52:41 pm »

they will play with the sow rolls softening them up before ingesting piglets always play fight

Fowgill Farm · « **Reply #6 on:** March 16, 2012, 10:13:28 am »

The Fowgill 13 are already racing about and play fighting at 3 days old, they went out in the sunshine for the first time yesterday and they were so funny tottering about, this morning they were playing wacky races from the creche to the door. With Twinkle having so many i'll be getting them onto creep as soon as possible probably at 10 days damped with a little water to start with.
Mandy

happytrotters · « **Reply #7 on:** March 16, 2012, 09:57:24 pm »

was wondering bt this myself ..pigglets now 9 days old and into mum's feed she doesn't seem to mind , but are sow nuts ok . they are also lapping up the whey i've brought as a treat for mum

happytrotters · « **Reply #8 on:** March 16, 2012, 09:58:58 pm »

was also wondering when it is safe to move the sow and pigglets back outside have done really well and only lost one after an worrying start .

princesspiggy · « **Reply #9 on:** March 16, 2012, 11:22:31 pm »

we r hoping to move ours from the stable back to the field/sty tomorrow. its so mild here. im thinking 3 week old would be safe enough from foxes now?

Blonde · « **Reply #10 on:** March 18, 2012, 10:05:34 am »

Quote from: princesspiggy on March 15, 2012, 02:15:02 pm

when does everyone else start introducing creep feed. our piglets are 3 weeks today and scoffing anything insight. off to get some weaner pellets!

creep should be introduced at 10 days of age, piglets are by then investigating their Mum's feed, so creep which has a high protein level should be provided, they still get their milk from their Mum and they will be investigating the water trough as well. Mum's milk peaks at 3 weeks of age and then goes off , so having that there along with the creep brings the piglets along in leaps and bounds.