My neighbor gave me a 4 day old pig today and I have never had one before. He could not really tell me how to raise one because if they do not nurse the mother , they just do not make it. I am feeding it lamb milk replacer because that is all I have tonight. Will this do or give it the runs. Any assistance will be appreciated. Terry

-- Terry Lipe (elipe@fidnet.com), March 13, 2002

Answers

Hi Terry: Try going to your local pet store and getting cans of regular "mother's milk" and a baby bottle. Pigs are really like human babies. They need caressing and security and being spoken to gently, singing, etc. You should keep her/him with you as much as possible during the next few weeks. They make diapers for small dogs that you can fit to the pig for messes. Within a month, if you plan to keep the pig in the house, you can litter box train it by putting it in the box several times an hour. Put his mess in the box so he gets the idea. They are very intelligent and will get it quickly. If you are putting him in the barn, wait for several months and keep babying the pig. Start feeding him a mashed young pig feed mixed with the mother's milk in a bowl so it is really soupy. Warm it for the first few times to help. The baby may not know what to do with it at first so put some on the end of your finder and slip it into his mouth gently. Then tap the bowl while he is trying to lick it off. If it is too difficult for him to figure it out, wait another few days and try again. Check with your local feed store too. They are a wealth of knowledge in areas like this. Remember, even piglets don't like height. Keep him low to the ground whenever possible and don't let him sleep on your bed without you snuggled next to him; if he falls, he'll die. A small dog bed and a ticking alarm clock next to him next to your bed is a good idea. Good Luck.Donna Luddie

-- Donna Luddie (donnajluddie@aol.com), March 13, 2002.

Since the pig didn't nurse his mama to get the colustrum, he won't have the needed immunity. You may just have to take it day by day and see what happens.

Goat's milk is generally a good replacer for all critters, including us humans! If you had a wet goat, it'd be worth the try.

-- ~Rogo (rogo2222@hotmail.com), March 14, 2002.

Terry, Most of all, love that piglet with all your heart and you just can't go wrong. I would put her/him on goat milk if it's possible. Goat milk is wonderful for piglets. When we get a runt we add a bowl of goat milk for the little one to enhance it's growth in the litter. It really helps. You can also add a 1/4 cup of oatmeal to the milk to give it more substance. And your piglet should drink from a bowl as soon as you put one in front of it. They learn quickly. We have 4 sows farrowing right now, babies all over the place. You are welcome to email me with any questions you have. I've been raising pigs for 7 years and even wrote two books on the small farm animals. Goodluck and enjoy! -Jeanie Whiting

-- Jeanie Whiting (Jeanie@foxmtnpublishing.com), March 14, 2002.