Breeding Miniature Pigs |
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DO PIGS NEED TO BE TREATED FOR LICE?
Check and treat as required, I haven't had any problems with lice.
DO I NEED TO TRIM THEIR HOOVES (FEET)?
No they don't need to be trimed.
WHAT AGE SHOULD I GET MY MINATURE PIG DESEXED?
They can be desed from about 8 weeks onwards, but should be done before 6mths.
AT WHAT AGE CAN I BREED MY FEMALE MINATURE?
Females, must be 12 mths old - More detales about breeding on seperate page.
AT WHAT AGE DO MALE PIGS START TO BREED?
Usually around 5-8mths old.
HOW LONG ARE PIGS PREGNANT FOR?
3 months, 3 weeks, 3 days. Around 115-120 days.
DO SOWS (FEMALE PIG) REQUIRE SPECIAL CARE WHILE PREGNANT?
Yes, the main thing, as long as they appear healthy, is to increase food, before Farrowing (giving birth)*
IS THERE ANY SPECIAL FOOD TO FEED, PREGNANT/LACTATING MINATURE PIG?
Not really. As long as she is receiving plenty of grain, and not just veg/fruit scraps, and you have increased amount, she sould be fine. Just keep and eye on her weight, and if she looses too much, you will need to increase/adjust diet. Maize Can be a good adition to the diet at this time.
DO I NEED TO DO ANYTHING TO PREPAIR FOR THE BIRTH?
Yes, it would be a very good idea, to bring the mother into a shed, around a week before the expected birth, at least a couple of days. The area, should be clean and have something like barley straw on the floor, to create a nice soft surface, and also a warm place to lay. This is particularly important in the litter is to be born in winter. The mother will need a bit of room, to move, otherwise there is farm more chance of her standing on the piglets at birth or in the days to come, but not too big for the first few days, at least, till she gets use to her little ones, and they get use to her.
CAN THE SHED BE ONE, BIG OPEN AREA?
No, it is very important that the shed, has a small area, probably best in a corner, that is blocked of, so that the piglets can get in, but not mum. This should have plenty of straw, to keep them warm. The little piglets, should use this spot to sleep. They will cuddle up together, and be safe, from mum sitting on them, by accident, but able to get out to feed when they want. A farm gate, works well for minature piglets, as they can fit through the holes, till they are a few weeks old. But something else, would be needed if the piglets where from a big pig.
AT WHAT AGE DO I WEAN THE PIGLETS?
Piglets should be fully weand by 8 weeks. Some people wean as early as 6, however, if I take them off at that age, I get the new owners to bottle feed them for a few weeks.
I FEEL SORRY FOR MUM, CAN I LEAVE WEANING LONGER?
By 8 weeks, she will be getting pretty tired of them. If you leave them on her, too long, you will find she looses too much weight.
HOW OFTEN CAN I BREED MY MINATURE PIG?
Every year or 3 times in 2 years, if she is kept in good condition.
Check and treat as required, I haven't had any problems with lice.
DO I NEED TO TRIM THEIR HOOVES (FEET)?
No they don't need to be trimed.
WHAT AGE SHOULD I GET MY MINATURE PIG DESEXED?
They can be desed from about 8 weeks onwards, but should be done before 6mths.
AT WHAT AGE CAN I BREED MY FEMALE MINATURE?
Females, must be 12 mths old - More detales about breeding on seperate page.
AT WHAT AGE DO MALE PIGS START TO BREED?
Usually around 5-8mths old.
HOW LONG ARE PIGS PREGNANT FOR?
3 months, 3 weeks, 3 days. Around 115-120 days.
DO SOWS (FEMALE PIG) REQUIRE SPECIAL CARE WHILE PREGNANT?
Yes, the main thing, as long as they appear healthy, is to increase food, before Farrowing (giving birth)*
IS THERE ANY SPECIAL FOOD TO FEED, PREGNANT/LACTATING MINATURE PIG?
Not really. As long as she is receiving plenty of grain, and not just veg/fruit scraps, and you have increased amount, she sould be fine. Just keep and eye on her weight, and if she looses too much, you will need to increase/adjust diet. Maize Can be a good adition to the diet at this time.
DO I NEED TO DO ANYTHING TO PREPAIR FOR THE BIRTH?
Yes, it would be a very good idea, to bring the mother into a shed, around a week before the expected birth, at least a couple of days. The area, should be clean and have something like barley straw on the floor, to create a nice soft surface, and also a warm place to lay. This is particularly important in the litter is to be born in winter. The mother will need a bit of room, to move, otherwise there is farm more chance of her standing on the piglets at birth or in the days to come, but not too big for the first few days, at least, till she gets use to her little ones, and they get use to her.
CAN THE SHED BE ONE, BIG OPEN AREA?
No, it is very important that the shed, has a small area, probably best in a corner, that is blocked of, so that the piglets can get in, but not mum. This should have plenty of straw, to keep them warm. The little piglets, should use this spot to sleep. They will cuddle up together, and be safe, from mum sitting on them, by accident, but able to get out to feed when they want. A farm gate, works well for minature piglets, as they can fit through the holes, till they are a few weeks old. But something else, would be needed if the piglets where from a big pig.
AT WHAT AGE DO I WEAN THE PIGLETS?
Piglets should be fully weand by 8 weeks. Some people wean as early as 6, however, if I take them off at that age, I get the new owners to bottle feed them for a few weeks.
I FEEL SORRY FOR MUM, CAN I LEAVE WEANING LONGER?
By 8 weeks, she will be getting pretty tired of them. If you leave them on her, too long, you will find she looses too much weight.
HOW OFTEN CAN I BREED MY MINATURE PIG?
Every year or 3 times in 2 years, if she is kept in good condition.
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