Sow with more babies than teats ... what to do
Sow with more babies than teats ... what to do
We have a sow that had a large litter and does not have enough tears to go around for everyone to get one. I can supplement but have never had to indroduce supplement this early before and don't want them to stop nursing off of sow . Any suggestions ? We don't have another sow due till Friday . Thanks
Re: Sow with more babies than teats ... what to do
I have known people to split the litter in half and do split nursing. Put half the litter somewhere with a pan of milk replacer so they still have access to milk and leave the other half on her. Rotate them every couple hours. I have known people who raised a litter of something like 20 this way and the pigs did great. It is a lot of work though. I personally wouldn't be getting up during the night for long to rotate pigs for more than a night or two but that is just me. I have raised quite a few on a good replacer just fine that have kept right up with those on sows.
Re: Sow with more babies than teats ... what to do
How many pigs vs teats? We had a sow raise 14 piglets on 12 teats all on her own they just rotated by themselves and did great.
Re: Sow with more babies than teats ... what to do
She has 11 teats And before farrowing she split one that I'm not sure even works ! I have replaced with her and I know there are a few that are kind of "sharing " if that's what ya want to call it lol . They seems to drink a little and get shoved off! I have milk replacer in there and can get a few to drink out of a syringe without needle. Just don't know how much longer till they claim space and the weak three suffer ! Thanks