The productivity and condition of the body of pigs, in comparison with other domestic animals, especially depends on proper nutrition. Feeding monthly piglets should include all the necessary components. It is best if the animals receive mother’s milk and clean water, but this option is not always possible. Each farmer must ensure that monthly piglets are properly fed.
month old pig
Physiological features
The stomach of a suckling pig is underdeveloped, single-chambered. Only in the third week does he begin to secrete hydrochloric acid and a sufficient amount of pepsin. Now the animal’s body is especially vulnerable to pathogenic microflora. It turns out that during this period he cannot accept and process any food except milk. On the fourth week, embryonic insufficiency is compensated:
- the stomach and intestines increase;
- the enzymatic system is rebuilt to receive both animal and plant foods.
When born, piglets are applied to the mother’s nipples up to fifty times. By the age of fifteen, this number is reduced to twenty. A month old piglet may nurse about six times.
What to feed if there is no milk?
From birth to 30 days, milk is considered the main food. If a farmer keeps a cow or a goat, then it is a good idea to give the animals their milk.
Reference. It is permissible to replace ordinary milk with a dry product for young animals. It is used as an additive or main feed.
At 20 days, boiled potatoes and cereals cooked with milk or water can be included in the diet.
You can prepare a porridge-like mixture of finely ground cereals. The percentage will be as follows:
Barley
- 46% – barley;
- 30% – oats;
- 9% – sunflower meal;
- 6% – fishmeal;
- 5% – peas;
- 3% – fodder yeast;
- 0,8% – chalk;
- 0,2 – salt.
This composition may well meet the needs of a small animal. It contains digestible carbohydrates, protein, vitamins and minerals.
Feed and supplements
They can be used to feed piglets from 1 month old. It is necessary to introduce gradually, following the reaction of animals.
Mixed Feed
For piglets, such nutrition is offered in a complete balanced form. It does not require additives, being a complete meal.
Reference. For weaned piglets, the grinding should be no more than 8 mm so that the feed is normally absorbed.
If the animal is less than a month old, then pre-starter feed is relevant for him. For thirty-day-old babies, starter nutrition is suitable. It can be used up to two months of age. Feeding rates are always indicated on the packaging or in the instructions.
Feedstuffs
Green
In a month, piglets try the first green grass. If this happens, then it’s time to eat the first mowed herbs, especially legumes. A good option would be walking in the pasture, if such an option is possible. You can gradually give grated carrots, beets and rutabaga.
Mineral
When using complete mixed feeds, animals should not be given additional feeding. When using home mixtures, another feeder is installed in the cage. A mixture of fish or meat and bone meal and chalk is poured into it. They contain all the components that are required for a particular period of life.
Feeding is carried out with charcoal, red clay, turf, prepared since autumn. In a week, the piglets will get used to the new feed and it will be possible to add another one.
You can use top dressing prepared by production, taking into account the age of the animal.
Feeding table
solid food
You can enter into the diet of rutabaga, grated (then – finely chopped) beets and carrots. It is necessary to see which product the animal likes best, gradually adding each of them to the feeder and making observations. You can prepare mashed potatoes by adding a little milk to it.
Attention! Portions should be small, as such food quickly turns sour.
How to teach?
This must be done when the piglets are near the mother. To exclude interference in this process by the sow, food is offered to the cubs while the big pig is on a walk. The period of stay of the offspring separately from the mother must be increased.
Attention! Piglets need to be encouraged to increase their feed intake. With successful feeding by the month, the cubs eat themselves and can do without a pig.
Feeding rates
The basis of the health of newborn piglets is their proper feeding. You can get acquainted with their correct diet in the table below.
The diet of monthly piglets
How many times a day do you feed piglets?
In order for the feed to be well absorbed, it is necessary to feed piglets at least 6-7 times a day. This is also due to the fact that at this age the stomach cannot yet stretch to fit a lot of food.
What should be the water?
It is necessary that the animals could see and get the liquid container from the first days of life. Water should always be clean and not cold. Drinkers can be of any shape, but they must be kept clean and the liquid changed daily.
Feeding in winter
Thermoregulation of monthly animals has not yet been fully established. Their body is without hair, it needs additional energy to help keep warm. When kept in a cold barn at temperatures below zero, babies should be provided with bedding material in large quantities. Thanks to this, the piglet will be able to completely burrow into the hay or straw, and this will warm it.
In some cases, even a hungry animal is difficult to get out of its shelter, which should not be allowed. Wet foods should be offered warm. Stocks come to the rescue in winter:
- nettle;
- hay infusion;
- carrot.
These products are fortified, which means they can act as good complementary foods.
Indicators of proper feeding
With careful observation, even an inexperienced owner will notice that something is wrong with the piglets. If the animal is vigorous, mobile, frisky, then you can calm down. This means that in his diet there are enough useful components that are balanced and have a satisfactory effect on the body. With proper nutrition, good skin condition is noted:
Healthy pig
- smoothness;
- purity;
- pink color.
This confirms the normal balance of fat-soluble vitamins, the lack of which can be analyzed by the state of the mucous membranes and serous membranes. A healthy animal is active, consumes food in 10-15 minutes. If this is not the case, then you need to look at the situation: lower or increase the rate or calorie content of the food offered. It is necessary to keep the feeder clean and washed: animals should not eat up leftovers between meals.
After weaning the cubs from the mother, farmers are interested in what to feed monthly piglets. They can eat different foods, to which they must gradually get used (within a week to each type). The most important thing is to monitor the condition of the little wards. Thanks to this, it will be possible to control the diet and supplement useful components to it, reducing them if necessary. In winter, it is best to use food stocks: thanks to them, the animal’s body will retain the vitamins and minerals necessary for health.
