New Show mom needs help

[Kcrr1981]

We just picked up our daughters 8 week old gilt Thursday & she just is not eating. I'm sure stress is playing a role but how do I get her to to start wanting food? We are feeding Lindners 611 for the first week then mixing 611 & 632 until that is gone. Any help would be greatly appreciated this is all very overwhelming for me to try and learn.

[kgb]

Is the gilt alone? No other pigs around? Feed intake is directly related to water intake. Does she have access to clean, fresh water at all times?

[Kcrr1981]

She is alone & water is available at all times. We built a watering system out of a 55 gallon food grade container with the metal nipple. I got her to almost eat a pound of food today. Also, I noticed her nose is snotty tonight. Is there something I can give her to catch any sickness that might be starting? Her pen is a sandy type soil under an awning so she is out of the rain. We also built her a boxed in bedding area with wood chips and a heat lamp. It's in the 50s here right now. Thank you for any help!

[kgb]

Sounds like she needs some meds. I will let someone like Hogdoc suggest an antibiotic. At 8 weeks old she should be weighing about 50 lb and eating about 2.5 lb per day.

You might check the nipple to make sure it’s working. Also, just a thought did you wash out the barrel before using?

[Kcrr1981]

Yes, we washed out the barrel & I checked the nipple last night. It seems to be working fine. When I went out this morning I didn't hear or notice her snottiness it was only last night after she drank water.

[Kathy]

I don't know where you live but check with your feed store or if you have a Tractor Supply around. See if you can get a product called Bounce Back. It is specifically designed to help get animals back on feed. You can offer to her mixed according to directions in a bucket of water. Like kgb said water intake is directly attributable to feed intake. Even if her waterer is working well she might not like the taste of this new water. This product should help her get past this point.

Hope this works for you!

[kgb]

One other thought; Check the date code on your feed and make sure it’s reasonably fresh

[LzDy]

Personally I think getting her a pen mate would help. Ask the breeder if he has a non showpig out of the litter he might sell you. Pigs do better with a mate than alone. Ask the breeder what they were feeding and try to get the same thing then blend in what you will be feeding. Just my 2 cents. Hold off on antibiotics unless she really needs them. Sometimes some breeders give antibiotics just before they ship. Ask them if they gave any first

[Kcrr1981]

Kgb I will check her food date tonight. How old does feed have to be to be considered old??

[kgb]

We all want feed as fresh as possible. But in reality if the feed has NO signs of mold, and insect or rodent damage, or signs of have been wet Feed is usually good for at least 6 months.

[Kcrr1981]

Ok, over the weekend I have checked her feed & it is not old & there are no signs of anything wrong with it. I have emptied out her water barrel & scrubbed it out really well and filled back up. I have given her a shot of 2.5ml of Baytril for a dry cough a few times a day that I noticed. I changed her bedding from pine shavings to straw. I am currently on day 3 of worming her with Saeguard paste. We are having a load of good dirt brought in for her pen in a week or so because what's in there is a sandy like material that is dusty. This is our first show pig so if our daughter wants to stick with it we will invest in a more permanent concrete pen. She is out of the wind and cold. I have done all this and she is STILL not consuming as much food as I need her to. I feed her at 5:30 am 1lb of feed & 1/4lb of oat groats. And the same at 5:30 at night. She never can finish it all. I have tried to wet it down...added chocolate syrup. Tried pancake syrup, cake mix, strawberry jello mix, & yogurt. I take it up after about 30 min each time. Nothing seems to get her to want to eat all her food. She does eat just isn't finishing it. It's like she don't really have a big appetite. Should i be throwing away uneaten food when I wet it down and she does not finish it all or can I save it a reuse it in the morning or that evening? I have been throwing it away and starting fresh the next time but I feel like I'm wasting so much food. Thank you for helping me.

[AR3]

I would skip 1 feeding......as long as pig has water.....make pig hungry to restart his eating pattern. Has worked for us.

[spencerhiltbrand]

Hi,

Sorry you're having so much trouble on your first year but, it's all part of the fun. Pigs are difficult.

First, let me say that I'm on my third set of show pigs so I'm no sort of expert and won't claim to be one but, I have encountered a similar situation almost every year. I usually mix my feed with oat groats, and milk replacer. It's a fatty powder that I've had lots of luck with. It could also simply be that your pig just isn't interested in food right now, and if that's the case, you're doing everything you can.

In my experience, pigs usually tend to start to eat what they're given around 1 month after they move to their new home. They will make up for lost time, and will eat lots.

Best of luck in show and in eating efforts,
Spencer H. (California)

[mict71]

I am not expert, but what I would do is find another pig her size and put with her. The competition will make her eat more. Two I would only give her what she will eat in ten minutes then take the rest away until the next feeding. Slowly increasing it until she is eating what you want. Always fresh feed until she is eating good.

[Kcrr1981]

I'm ordering some TruGlo today hopefully that helps. I will give the milk replacement a try on her food as well. Heck, I'll try anything at this point lol....we weighed her for the first time yesterday & she is 10 weeks old and only weighing 37lbs.