Handling baby piglets

Question
How soon can you pick up and handle baby pot belly piglets and can you seperate mom for short times?

Answer
A lot depends on the momma  pig. If the momma pig is friendly and socialized, the babies can be touched and petted gently from the moment of birth. The babies are pretty delicate, and must be kept warm at all times.

If momma pig doesn't mind, it's ok to sit next to her and play with and gently hold her babies during the first couple of days.

Some momma pigs are social and friendly right up until birth, but turn slightly aggressive and protective of their babies. Usually, after a week or two, momma pig will return to her normal, friendly self and let you play with her babies.

Separating the babies from the momma is another issue. Most momma pigs are very protective of their babies, and get very stressed when separated. Here the issue is the babies. If the babies scream or get upset when held, momma pig will get upset. If the babies are calm and feel comfortable when you hold them, you can probably separate them for just a few minutes before momma misses her baby and gets upset.

By the time babies are 8 to 12 weeks old, momma will stop nursing and start separating herself from the babies.