new piglet

Question
Hi,
We have just adopted a miniature pot bellied pig.  We are very interested in feeding her correctly.  The farm we got her from is a new business,2 years old or so.  They have instructed me to feed "Bella" 1/3 cup of pot bellied pig food, 3x's a day. Bella is 8 weeks old.  Is this adequate?  Can I start giving her any fruits and veggies?  What kind of "treats' do I use for training?  Thanks for your help!!!
Lisa

Answer
Adult pigs need 1/2 to 1 cup of food per 25 lb of body weight, depending on the pig and his lifestyle. Active outdoor pigs will need more food than sedate indoor pigs. The kind of food is also important, some feeds are higher in calories and fat than other kinds.

Feeding babies is even more complicated. Some people do not wean piglets until they are 12 weeks old, others free feed (as much as the piglet wants) until they are 12 weeks old. Some people restrict quantity, but use starter food until the piglets are 16 weeks old.

Some people feed only pellets, but most people (including me) prefer to include some veggies in at least 1 meal per day.

The only "right" answer is - feed her enough so she grows at a steady rate but does not get fat. A rule of thumb for babies is to gain 1 lb per week until they are 9 months to a year old. If she gains weight too fast, it's ok to reduce the quantity of pellets and substitute plain rolled oats to make up the difference. Oats are high in fiber and will help her feel full.

Piglets usually prefer the starter food, so if your pig is already eating adult pellets I suggest keeping her on the same food.
She can have any fruit or vegetable. Lettuce, cabbage, and such are best, because they are lowest in calories and sugar. Go easy on sugary fruits.

Cheerios, air popped corn, and raisins are good training treats. Give her just ONE cheerio or popcorn piece or raisin at a time. It's hard to believe, but she will enjoy one just as much as two or three.

The best training book I've found is by Priscilla Valentine, called Pot-bellied Pig Behavior and Training. It's available through Amazon or directly from Pris at http://www.valentinesperformingpigs.com/index.html

Yahoo groups has several groups devoted to pot-bellied pigs, if you're interested in meeting other pig owners. PigInfoAndChat and PotSpot are both very good.