East of Broken Bow | versatile875 - 2/7/2026 11:18
Piglets made it through the cold spell we had. Just made sure they had hay in their huts and lots of feed.
Got them started on feed a few weeks before we weaned them. Used a single hot wired off area the sows Couldn't get to to monitor if they were eating and drinking. Couldn't find much for pig starter feed so I just mixed milk replacer with the feed I ground. Figured the feed was already 17% protein so the milk replacer raised It up some and made it smell more inviting for them to give it a try.
They were a little big and i Haven't castrated pigs for almost 30 years, but wasn't no big deal. I need to find me a self feeder, those buggers are eating a lot. Giving the kids the same workout I got when i was younger bucketing feed. They also eat quite a bit of their Bermuda grass bedding. I was surprised how fast a round bale disappeared when in the area with the 3 sows and piglets.
Raised lots of pigs in my younger days out in the open. A few things I have learned: Pigs under 50 pounds won't overheat even when it is 110* if they have all the water they can drink. Pigs over 100# will not freeze down to -20* as long as there are at least a half dozen to lay together to stay warm, and they are dry and have bedding.
Putting the bale in with them in cold is a really good idea. Eating roughage works their digestive tract harder than processed feed, which helps keep them warm. |
Piglets are pretty tough
