How to Feed Goat Milk to Baby Pigs
Goat's milk is nutritious for a variety of different babies including goats, humans and pigs. Whatever your reason is for feeding baby pigs goat milk, it is imperative that the piglets started with colostrum from their mother. Without this first milk, the piglets will miss out on natural antibiotics and important digestive enzymes so they are able to digest their food and build up a strong immune system. The younger the piglets are when they are no longer cared for by their mother, the less chance they have for survival.
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Instructions
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Keep goat's milk in the fridge until you need it.
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Warm the goat's milk the same way you would for a human baby, either in the microwave or in a pot on the stove.
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3
Test the heat of the goat's milk on the inside of your wrist. You want the milk to feel about the same temperature as your skin so you do not burn the babies.
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Pour goat's milk into a flat pan. The amount will vary according to the age of the piglet; pigs that are one day to one week old will need two to three tablespoons of milk.
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Hold the pan in one hand and a piglet in the other.
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Dip the piglet's nose gently into the milk. The piglet will fight at first but it needs to taste the milk in order to learn how to eat on its own.
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Provide milk every three to four hours, both night and day, until the piglets are about one week old. At this time you can stop the night-time feedings.
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Clean all the dishes and utensils used to prepare the milk and feed the piglets.
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Soak pig pellets in the milk prior to feeding when the pigs are three weeks old. Add pellets to the diet slowly to avoid causing digestive problems.
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Wean piglets between six and eight weeks of age.
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Tips & Warnings
To prevent anemia piglets need iron supplements. Consult your veterinarian for the best method of supplementation because it will change depending on the age and health of your piglet.
Provide a hot water bottle or heating pad wrapped in a blanket to help keep piglets warm.
Provide a shallow dish of clean drinking water.
Consult a veterinarian immediately if your piglets develop diarrhea. Diarrhea can be caused by a variety of factors including sudden dietary changes and can be fatal if left untreated.
References
- Photo Credit piglets suckling milk from sow. pigs. farm animals image by L. Shat from Fotolia.com
