[Blinkers]

I know this might sound daft, but having just had my first litter of piglets, I'm not sure when I should make water available to them?!    They are now almost a week old and I've just started putting a little tray of weaner pellets in their creep --- although all they do is toss it up in the air at the moment, but they cannot get to the water....only Mum's milk for anything to drink.   I'm going to let them out into the enclosure area on Saturday where Mum's water is, and I wonder if I should build a step for them so they can get to it.....or is it too early at the moment??  thanks all.

[Hilarysmum]

Give them water in a very shallow tray now, it may not be required but its available.  Whatever you do make sure they cant get into mum's water, piglets are frequently drowned in badly placed water buckets.  (Sorry that sounds very rude, its not meant that way).

[Blinkers]

Good idea - I'll see what I can find. I was worried about the potential for them drowning, so I'm glad you've mentioned it.

[pigsatlesrues]

I totally agree with HM - a very shallow tray for safety.  When it comes of offering food to the piglets, we tend to judge the time when they start to steal mums food. One they start to nibble or get get interested in  hers then that is the time we start to introduce food to them. The farine d'orge is always a good starter food for them - they make a terrible mess around their chops but they really like it!

Kate

[Blinkers]

   " farine d'orge "     sounds yummy.......what's that then?   

[pigsatlesrues]

Sorry Blinkers - it is what it is called in France. We posted about this on the veggie section of the forum - (sugarbeets/manglewurzels etc)

This was posted as the English version - the pigs just love it and it can be mixed with all sort of goodies.


              many thanks ....Farrine D'orge (Farine D'orge ?) the nearest I can make out is that this is Barley flour/meal......? mixed with water, is that right ?  I can only hit the translate this button for anything French....  Thanks again

 

Kate

[Blinkers]

I wonder if Pig feed is cheaper in France than in UK?   Do you guys buy by the bag or bulk?   Also, piglets now lapping up water from tray as advised.   Thanks all.

[Hilarysmum]

Dont think its much cheaper, we buy in 25 kilo bags.  Costs a fortune with our lot.

[chickens]

Evening we pay 20€ per 50kilos in france - how does that compare in England?

[Hilarysmum]

Dont know how that compares in England but its extremely cheap, I pay 9.80 per 25 k sack, use about 15 sacks a week. 

[pigsatlesrues]

We pay about the same as HM. It was cheaper to buy direct from the Mill until about October, then the prices went up and comparing the prices with the Agriels now there really isn't anything it.

What do you buy and where do you buy it chickens?

Kate

[Farmer Giles]

Just back to giving piglets water, I thought that it was not a good idea to go anywhere near a sow that had just had piglets for maybe a couple of weeks as they could get a bit feisty and upset??

We have a pregnant sow, not Mrs. DeVeere, who is due to farrow (is that the right word?) at the end of the month and this will be the first time we have ever been involved with a piggy and young and would welcome any advice to stop me taking a trip to the local hospital and having to have various protuberances sown back on  !!!

[Blinkers]

Well I think I completely annoyed the pants off the chap I bought my Sow from as I sent him endless emails 'just checking' that I was doing everything right.    The 'event' was almost over by the time I got to her just over a week ago, but she was very happy for me to just talk to her quietly and stroke her....although I was ready to beat a hasty retreat should she get a bit stroppy.   However, she has been in a stable with a yard attached and so loads of room. I think if you're farrowing in an ark - DONT go in with her for at least a few days - you could end up squashed    After a couple of days, Mum came out into the yard for her feed and she just let me go and do whatever with the piglets, even when I picked them up and they squeeled...she just grunted from outside and kept on eating.  So I think the rule of thumb is:   make sure there is plenty of space and make sure you can 'escape' smartish should she decide she doesn't want Aunty or Uncle around!      And just an update, the piglets are now well on the move and running around out in their yard.  My 'livery' girl said today "I'm falling in love with the runt" and in my firmest voice I said "Well don't - cos he gonna be sausages".    Will turn them all back out into their run next weekend...............and then the Berkshire comes in........and I start all over again.

[Hilarysmum]

I have a total of 9 sows, mostly tamworth and GOS and a delightful saddleback  who is the gentlest in the world all are absolutely fine whenever and whatever I do with them or their babies, however there is also Hilary.  I have had Hilary from a piglet, she came from a renowned pig keeper, she had been well handled, however nobody ever gave HIlary the book on pig etiquette.  Short of donning armour and attempting to lock Hilary in the trailer about 1/2 a mile away (believe me we have gone to these lengths) I cant handle any piglet if it squeals.  OH who is HIlary's favourite person in the world, can but gets a severe talking to, and is always pretty quick on putting baby down.  She has been known to break through 5 sets of electric fencing when a baby squealed at the opposite end of the holding to her.  So providing you know your sow, she is easy going go ahead, but dont get in a position where you cant get out of the arc quickly.  You never know, Hilary could be within hearing distance.

[Tony.K]

If they are on creep feed they need access to water, however you would be far better cutting a 25 litre container in half, ( long ways ) and putting some water in this.
If you decide not to give water they will start to scower on the richness of the creep feed and the milk
Tony K.