Nudging

Question
We have a nine week old piglet and she is very sweet. I am just curious why she nudges us all the time? If you are holding her she nudges any place on your body she can get too. It is fine while she is small but should we let her continue with this habit?

Answer
The nudging is a rooting or nursing action. Pigs root in the dirt for fallen nuts and berries, and tasty roots. Piglets "root" on the Momas belly to help stimulate milk flow. Most pigs gradually stop most random rooting behavior by the time they are 5 or 6 months old.

You should try to discourage this habit in general. NEVER let her root at peoples feet or ankles. Pigs seem to love feet & toes. Most people think it's cute, they don't realize that when a pig 6 months or older does this, it's a sign of aggression. Also, as your pig grows, she will be able to root much harder. When a full grown pot-bellied pig decides to root hard on a foot or ankle it can be quite painful, almost like being punched.

Give her other things to root, like blankets, old stuffed animals (make sure there's no small bits that can come off and be swallowed), paper bags, a box filled with pebbles or small rubber balls, or empty milk cartons filled with plain popcorn and pierced with holes big enough for the popcorn to fall through.