A. D. Pete Moles

Publish Date: June 3, 2006

More than one-fourth of all market hogs in the United States were purchased as feeder pigs. While a majority of these pigs are fed in facilities relatively close to the purchase site, a large number are transported long distances for finishing. Transporting and commingling practices expose young pigs to a variety of stresses. Feeder pigs may experience hunger, thirst and fatigue along with changes in diet, social order, pen mates and environment. In addition, commingled pigs often encounter disease organisms to which they have not developed resistance. Therefore, an effective purchasing and receiving program is recommended to minimize the ill effects of these stresses. The following are guidelines for purchasing and starting feeder pigs.