Pet Information > ASK Experts > Exotic Pets > Pot Bellied Pigs > 5 week old Piglet and feeding

5 week old Piglet and feeding

22 9:18:49

Question
Hello,
Unfortunately I got a piglet that was too young to be taken away from her mother.  She came from a bad breeder but I had already fallen inlove with her and knowing where she came from, she could have ended up in a horrible home.  So anyways, she was weaned from her mother at exactly 4 weeks, possibly even 3 1/2 (I know, horrible!).  I have had her for a week but she is my first Pot Belly.  I have been researching constantly.  

I am confused about the proper way to be feeding her.  Since I've had her, I have been feeding her 1/4 cup (4 times a day) of Mazuri Youth (that is all I could find until my internet order comes from Heartland) and then mixing it with Goats Milk so it's pretty sloppy.  She loves it like that but I'm not sure if I should be mixing it with the milk now or if I ever needed to.  

Also, if I stop mixing it with the milk, do I mix it with water or does she just get the pellets dry?  I have read a few different things, some people say you should always put a little water, then others don't put any.  What is the right thing to do?

Last but not least, in a couple of weeks, should she be eating regular maintance Pot Belly Pellets or should she be eating the Grower formula?  I ordered both but I want to be giving her the right kind.

Any info would be great!  I love my little girl already and I would hate to do something wrong!

Thanks,
Nicky and Delilah

Answer
Mixing with the goats milk is the best way to make sure a very young piglets gets the nutrition they need. An 8 week old piglet will do just fine on dry pellets, so gradually begin reducing the amount of goats milk on the food until your piglet is eating dry at age 8 weeks. Some pigs prefer mushy food, if your piglet is one of them it's ok to moisten the pellets with a little water. Either way make sure piglet has plenty of fresh drinking water available.
Every pig is different, but most people switch from grower to maintenance food at 3 or 4 months old. Make the switch gradually by mixing in first a little of the maintenance, then adding more every day until the grower is gone.