How to get a bottle fed piglets to eat grain

[Plazyfarm]

Hi - I have 2 bottle fed piglets that are 4 weeks old. The sow didn't have any milk. I put grain and water in front of them everyday. They won't seem eat or drink it. The only think they want is the bottle of goats milk. I even tried leaving a dish of goats milk. Does anyone have any ideas what I can do to get them to eat and drink water? I still give them a bottle every 2-3 hours depending on how much they holler. At night I feed them at 9pm and 12 and then not again until 5-6am. Help anybody I need ideas.

Thanks

 

[frustratedearthmother]

I've raised pigs, but never bottle pigs so take my advice with a grain of salt. Have you tried pouring milk over the grain - maybe even letting it soak for awhile? Our pigs loved goat milk and I can understand your piglets don't want to give up milk for grain..... so maybe combine the two? Good luck with them!

 

[Cricket]

This is from like 15 years ago when we had a sow with MMA and no milk let down. I would put warm milk in an iron frying pan (to hold heat) and put a piece of bread to soak in it. When they went to nudge the bread around, they got the hang of eating. Then went to soaking grain in milk, then gradually replaced milk with water. I would think you need to let them go longer between feedings. Good luck!

 

[Plazyfarm]

Thank you for the idea's. I will keep trying to soak the grain with goats milk and I will try the cast iron skillet warmed up. I try to go longer with the bottles I think I need to move them. They are down by the basement and every time I open the door or they hear my voice they think it's time to eat. Thanks for the support.

 

[Plazyfarm]

This is from like 15 years ago when we had a sow with MMA and no milk let down. I would put warm milk in an iron frying pan (to hold heat) and put a piece of bread to soak in it. When they went to nudge the bread around, they got the hang of eating. Then went to soaking grain in milk, then gradually replaced milk with water. I would think you need to let them go longer between feedings. Good luck!

Bless you Cricket it worked!!! Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!!!

 

[Cricket]

well, that made my day--thanks!