[Mrs Snoodles]

Hi there
I am just trying to work out farrowing pen swap overs etc and was wondering how you tend to move your weaners off and away from Mum.

We have had the pigs farrowing inside but in a couple of weeks need to move them on and out. They will be 6 weeks. We are moving them on early as the litter is big (13), and they are eating the creep pellets nicely.

I understand that the weaners can get bowel odema through stress so it is best to move Mum out, keep weaners the same place, then move the weaners to their proper place after a few days.

Does this sound right to you?
Cheers all

[HappyHippy]

Yup, it's easier to move mum (as far away as possible  ) and leave the piglets where they are 

Our Large Blacks scoured a little when weaned, but the OSB's and Kunekunes have always been fine - go easy with their feeding to begin with and that should help.

Can't believe that's 6 weeks already, where does the time go  Good luck with them Mrs S

[Mrs Snoodles]

Thanks HH....they have another fortnight or so still with Mum, those 6 weeks are not quite done yet!
I am moving Mum to the other end of the field, a long long way from the little ones.  Bless her, they are really starting to get on her nerves a bit.  She has started telling them off when they nick her food (especially the squash quarters) and try to feed off of her when she is eating.  Tonight I caught two of them crawling along a raised timber, then launching themselves at her belly whilst she was sleeping.    Poor love. 

The piglets are huge, super solid and very energetic. Uber NAUGHTY!!!!   My wellies are no longer a safe place for my toes.

[HappyHippy]

 
I have seen piglets somersault backwards through the air following a quick flick of the snout from my wee Kunekune sow (she's such a sweetie that it's usually a sign for me that it's weaning time  ) Sounds like your Hampshires are very cheeky too  no wonder mum's getting fed up !

On the piglets chewing your wellies.... it's cute now, but it won't be in another month or so  Start now letting them know that feet (and hands for that matter) are not chew toys - a firm no and a step back (just like with a dog) if that doesn't work a firm tap with a finger on their bums and a no again should send the message home. You definately don't want them developing a habbit that they tale to maturity or even pork weight - could be dangerous, especially if you have kids around them.

[Fowgill Farm]

Agree with HH about taking mum from them and leaving them to settle for a few days, if you think mum is getting peed off with them it might be worth giving her a walk round the yard or field if you can so she can have some time out from them, i weaned my last litter of GOS at six & half weeks becoz she was just fed up of them and they were starting to drag her down, so don't feel you have to stick with the 8wk thing, do what suits your sow, she can do serious damage to a piglet when she's cross with them and having seen a piglet launched across a stable and slammed into a wall its not pretty and its not good for them, so as i'm sure you be watchful of how she is with them.
Sounds like shes a good mum putting up with them
Mandy

[Mrs Snoodles]

thanks for those top tips    If I needed to move her earlier, how would I manage their diet?  I know most of them are scoffing their creep pellets, veg and mud but would I also need to put down some sow milk for them too?  ...... Also , they have started to drink from her water. Is this ok?  I can't do much to stop it, but was just a bit worried as obviously it is not super clean, just pig clean.

I can't wait to get them out in their paddock tbh. I just want to see them charge through the vegetation, going bonkers.  They have some old sweetcorn, squash plants, thistles and red shank weed to get through. We have cleared a bit, but it is a bit of a jungle in parts... so should be fun, fun, fun!

[Fowgill Farm]

thanks for those top tips    If I needed to move her earlier, how would I manage their diet?  I know most of them are scoffing their creep pellets, veg and mud but would I also need to put down some sow milk for them too?  ...... Also , they have started to drink from her water. Is this ok?  I can't do much to stop it, but was just a bit worried as obviously it is not super clean, just pig clean.

They already sound like they're well on their way to weaning, you don't need to put milk down for them and its good they're drinking water already, makes the job of weaning much easier.
as you say lots of fun to come, my fave moment is seeing weaners go out into the field for the first time.
mandy

[Mrs Snoodles]

Cool...thanks