Basics on Pigs

Weaning although it may be stressful to the piglets must be done. Weaning is usually done within 3-5 weeks of age, at this age the piglets are at the weight and age that they can fend for themselves. Dry food is slowly introduced to piglets in their first weeks so that when they are at the age to wean it will not be as traumatic of a change. They have to adjust to a solids diet verse the liquid one that they have been use to in their first couple of weeks. When piglets are first born their stomaches are made to handle a milk-based diet, but as they age their enzyme system changes and they become capable to digest non-milk diets. When piglets are born they have no natural immunities so they rely on the colostrum from their mothers milk on the first few weeks, and don't start developing their immunity systems till 21-28 days of age.