Starting Nursery Pigs on Feed

1. Sort pigs by weight to minimize dominance at feeders and waterers.

• Put smallest 10-15% of the pigs in separate pens.
• Put small pigs toward the middle of the barn for intensive management

2. Use feeding mats along with self-feeders.

• Mats should be cleaned and disinfected between uses.
• Place only small amounts of nursery diet on mat as nursery feed is expensive and easily wasted on the mats.
• Use mats only until pigs begin eating from a self-feeder.

3. Self-feeders

• For the first few days add several small feedings per day of fresh feed.
• Remove feed contaminated with feces or urine.
• Do not limit feed at any time.
• Monitor feed consumed daily until pigs are readily consuming feed.
• Allow one foot of feeder space per four or five pigs.

4. Fresh water

• If pigs do not have adequate clean, fresh water they will not eat.
• Adjust height of nipple waterers to shoulder height of smallest piglets.
• Adjust water pressure to less than 20 psi.
• One cup waterer per 20 pigs or one nipple waterer per 10 to 15 pigs.

5. Pig level environment

• Ensure piglets are not subjected to drafts or too warm or too cold conditions.
• Observe piglets for shivering or excessive piling to keep warm.

6. Observe pigs to ensure all have found feed and water

• Watch for sunken bellies, rough hair coats, etc., as indicators of poor feed intake.
• Piglets not eating need individual feeding. Gently place a small amount of moist pellets in each pig’s mouth. Then place the piglet next to the feeder so it associates the feed with the feeder.

References:

Management of Newly Received SEW and Feeder Pigs, PIH 111. August, 2000.