UPDATED: 5/12/16
This is what you will need to bring with you when picking up your piglet:
When you come to take your piglet home there are a few items you will need to have with you. You will need a pet carrier if you are not planning on holding your piglet on the trip home. You will need to bring a small soft blanket (we use baby blankets). Pigs LOVE blankets! You may also choose to bring a leash and harness. Your piglet will need a dog harness that adjusts under the chest and around the neck (or check out Pig Gear). Believe me piglets are fast and not much fun to catch! Please make sure you pig proof your home BEFORE picking up your piglet. You will do this just as you would for a toddler. Hide anything that could harm them and make sure to block/lock anything you don't want them to get into. Pay special attention to wires and kitchen cupboards when making your home safe for your pig. Pigs are VERY smart and NEVER under estimate them ;) For the first 2 weeks or so spoil your pig and form a bond. You will have to earn their trust. They tend to be shy at first until they get to know you. Pigs do not like to be held up off the ground so make sure to cradle them well and put a blanket around them for security helps. ***Note if you have not paid in full when picking up your piglet we will only accept CASH!
Bedding
Indoor: It is a good idea to set up a place in a corner of a room for your new piglet (baby gates work great). Put a dog bed, blanket, litter pan, food & water and maybe some toys. If you use a setup like this when you are away your pig will have a safe place to stay. Pigs love company and do very well roaming freely with the family. They love to sleep and snuggle with you! Blankets are very important to pigs. They often pull them around with them, hide and root in them. Pigs are a great companion and desire your attention. Don't be surprised when you see your pig jump up on the couch with you (YES they can jump and sometimes as high as your bed) and follow you around the house. Pigs even love to watch TV and listen to music! Whatever setup you choose it is important to keep the food & water and the litter pan in the same place. Our pigs roam freely through the house but when we are away we keep them in a setup as suggested or put them in an outdoor pen we have for them.
Outdoor: You will want to have a fenced area for your pig and pay special attention to the gate. They are so smart and learn from watching you too! It is best to put a latch on the top and bottom of the gate. Set up a dog house and fill with a soft dog bed and blankets. It is good to have some shade in their pen. It is very important to keep clean water out for pigs at ALL times. Pigs can swim and love to play in water when it is hot outside. They love to play in small kiddie pools. You must be careful when they are young around water. You need to be with them around water the first couple of times. Mini pigs are still a pig and like to root. They are not like regular pigs with this but still they do root. You might want to consider a sand area or a sand box. They love when you hide toys and treats in the sand for them to find. Never, buy anything for your pig that has cedar in it because it is VERY toxic to pigs.
Outdoor: You will want to have a fenced area for your pig and pay special attention to the gate. They are so smart and learn from watching you too! It is best to put a latch on the top and bottom of the gate. Set up a dog house and fill with a soft dog bed and blankets. It is good to have some shade in their pen. It is very important to keep clean water out for pigs at ALL times. Pigs can swim and love to play in water when it is hot outside. They love to play in small kiddie pools. You must be careful when they are young around water. You need to be with them around water the first couple of times. Mini pigs are still a pig and like to root. They are not like regular pigs with this but still they do root. You might want to consider a sand area or a sand box. They love when you hide toys and treats in the sand for them to find. Never, buy anything for your pig that has cedar in it because it is VERY toxic to pigs.
Food & Water
Diet of your mini pig is extremely important!!! We do not recommend underfeeding or overfeeding a pig. ANY SIZE PIG CAN BECOME OBESE VERY EASILY--without proper food management. We recommend Purina Nature's Match Sow & Pig Complete or Mazuri Mini-Pig Youth. When you first get your pet pig, if it is a baby, you only need to give it 1/4 cup of pig feed in the morning and 1/4 cup in the evening. It is fine to feed them more the first 8 weeks (we don't sell our pigs till they are at least 6-8 weeks). We add 1-2 teaspoons of flax seeds to our feed once a day for our pigs to help with the dry skin. We keep our flax seed refrigerated because it keeps better. We give 1/2 of a Flintstones With Iron Children's Multivitamin (make sure it does NOT include ASPARTAME as it is toxic to pigs) to our piglets and at 6 months old we start giving them a whole pill daily. Iron is very important to indoor pigs and outdoor pigs get what they need from rooting in the soil. We give our pigs 2 capsules of Spring Valley Krill Oil 300 mg daily. It is a wonderful and stable antioxidant! We give 1 capsule of Spring Valley Heart/Immune Health 400 I.U. Vitamin E Supplement daily. The Vitamin E helps build healthy skeletal & heart muscle...very important with pigs. We give 1-2 teaspoons of Spectrum Naturals: Organic Coconut Oil or other brand (1 teaspoon per 25 pounds) daily. Coconut oil is an excellent nutrient for pigs. It allows for use and absorption of fat soluble vitamins, helps stabilize nerve function, helps with skin, nails, and hair. This also can be used directly on their skin as moisturizer too. We give 1 capsule of Spring Valley Standardized Extract Cranberry Dietary Supplement, 500 mg to aid the urinary tract and it lowers the PH of the urine. We give 1 capsule of Spring Valley Vitamin C Tablets, 500 mg daily. The Vitamin C helps with their joints. You can give your mini pig fruits and vegetables while you are training them. Treats are great to use during training but DON'T overdo it. Good treats are sunflower seeds, raisins, grapes, wheat cheerios, carrots, celery, cucumbers, apples, bananas, Gerber toddler snacks and watermelon rinds with a bit of flesh. We give our pig’s Orchard Grass/Timothy Hay when they are outside to help add fiber. Never feed your pig avocado or chocolate because these are toxic to pigs. Do not feed your pig caffeine, dog food, cat food or regular pig feed. Pigs also have salt toxicity issues. Never feed your pig salted items such as potato chips or salted popcorn (air popped corn is fine as an occasional treat). Fruits should always be given in moderation because of the natural sugars. Just on a side note pigs LOVE beer but you should not give it to them ;) As your pig gets older (6 months to a year old) you will increase the food to 1/2 cup of pig feed in the morning and 1/2 cup in the evening. At this time when we increase their food amount we start feeding Mazuri Mini Pig Active Adult. If you are feeding Purina Nature's Match Sow & Pig Complete just increase to the 1/2 cup portion. It is important that you walk your pig and see to it they get their exercise in! Pigs LOVE and LIVE to eat! DO NOT fall for the "I am starving" act because they will try ;) It is very common that owners skip the Mazuri Mini Pig Active Adult and go right to Mazuri Mini Pig Elder.
***We are currently feeding 15% Non-GMO Swine Grower/Finisher Pellet that we buy at Bob's Feed here in Crossville.
***We are currently feeding 15% Non-GMO Swine Grower/Finisher Pellet that we buy at Bob's Feed here in Crossville.
Bathing & Skin Care
You really should only bathe your pig when he/she is dirty or smelly. They have extremely sensitive skin. Pigs do not really care for baths and a trick we use is we put Cheerios in the tub for them while we bathe them. It is vital that you use a very gentle shampoo. Do not use dog or cat shampoos. Use a baby shampoo or wash to bathe. Invest in a good scrub brush to get all the dead skin off. You want a brush that is firm but you don't want it to be too harsh on your pig. Once you have dried your pig use a GENTLE lotion on them. You should keep a lotion on them on a regular basis. Use a baby lotion for sensitive skin or/and some coconut oil.
It is good to put baby sunscreen on your pig when it is out in the sun for long periods.
Clean their ears with alcohol on a cotton ball, baby wipes or wash cloth. Do NOT use a Q-tip!
Some ideas:
Suave Scalp Solutions Nourishing Coconut & Shea Butter Anti-Dandruff Shampoo, 14.5 oz
Johnson's Baby Shampoo, 20 oz
Johnson's Baby Pink Lotion, 15 Ounces
Johnson's Gel With Cocoa Butter, Baby Oil, 6.5 fl oz
Johnson's Baby Oil Gel, 6.5 oz
Johnson's No More Tears Shea & Cocoa Butter Baby Moisture Wash, 15 fl oz
Johnson's Shea & Cocoa Butter Baby Lotion, 15 fl oz
Spectrum Naturals: Organic Coconut Oil, 14 Fl Oz
Johnson's No More Tears Baby Moisture Wash, 15 fl oz
Coppertone Water Babies Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50, 8 fl oz
Coppertone Water Babies Sunscreen Lotion Quick Cover Spray SPF 50, 6 fl oz
It is good to put baby sunscreen on your pig when it is out in the sun for long periods.
Clean their ears with alcohol on a cotton ball, baby wipes or wash cloth. Do NOT use a Q-tip!
Some ideas:
Suave Scalp Solutions Nourishing Coconut & Shea Butter Anti-Dandruff Shampoo, 14.5 oz
Johnson's Baby Shampoo, 20 oz
Johnson's Baby Pink Lotion, 15 Ounces
Johnson's Gel With Cocoa Butter, Baby Oil, 6.5 fl oz
Johnson's Baby Oil Gel, 6.5 oz
Johnson's No More Tears Shea & Cocoa Butter Baby Moisture Wash, 15 fl oz
Johnson's Shea & Cocoa Butter Baby Lotion, 15 fl oz
Spectrum Naturals: Organic Coconut Oil, 14 Fl Oz
Johnson's No More Tears Baby Moisture Wash, 15 fl oz
Coppertone Water Babies Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50, 8 fl oz
Coppertone Water Babies Sunscreen Lotion Quick Cover Spray SPF 50, 6 fl oz
Litter Training/Potty Training
Your pig can be trained to use a litter box; paper trained, or trained to go outside. We suggest using a cat litter box with the front cut down just enough to keep the litter inside and Tractor Supply Co. Pine Pellet Stall Bedding, newspaper or pads. Pigs do not like to climb over the edge of a traditional cat litter box. You may also use a boot tray, cement mixing tray or appliance tray. Most pigs can be trained within a week. Once you make your decision on what you are going to use for your piglet it is important to keep it in the same place. You will want to keep it as far away from their sleeping and eating area.
Health Care
Your mini pig should be dewormed at least twice a year. This can be done with a shot, but given orally is easiest and best way. It is not necessary to have a vet do the procedure. Our anti-parasitic of choice is Ivomec® (Ivermectin) 1% Injection for Cattle & Swine, 50 ml, while others are using Dectomax. You can also use Safe-Guard® Goat Dewormer, 125 ml every 4 months. You can find these at your local feed store or at your local Tractor Supply Co. or feed store.
This is the way we treat our pigs. We are NOT vets so please consult your local vet :)
***The Ivermectin you want to give them every 6 months. When you dose them you want to do 2 doses 10-14 days apart, and then repeat that routine every 6 months. We give this orally. You can put it right on their feed. Be sure and get needle and syringe so you can get Ivermectin out of the bottle to give it orally. Do not use a pour on or paste! Injectable Ivermectin is very safe and has a wide recommended dosage range. A safe mid-range dose is 0.2 ml (or cc) per 10 pounds of body weight (which is approximately double the injectable dose). We give the first dose at 6 weeks old and follow with the second dose at 8 weeks old.
* (name brand Ivomec or Noromectin) – good for many internal parasites (but not tapeworms). Good for mites and lice!
* Can be used in pregnant & nursing pigs. Not recommended in piglets under 6 weeks.
***The Safeguard you want to give them about every 4 months. When you dose them you want to do a 3 day cycle, and then repeat that routine every 4 months. We give this orally. You can put it right on their feed. Using a syringe 0.1 ml (or cc) treats 5 pounds. A safe mid-range dose is 0.2 ml (or cc) per 10 pounds of body weight. We do this at 6 weeks old.
* Fenbendazole (name brand Safe-guard) – for tapeworms, whipworms, ascarids. DOES NOT treat mites or lice!
* Can be used in pregnant & nursing pigs. Not recommended for piglets under 6 weeks.
***The syringe is a 1.0 cc/ml syringe.
Mini pigs may need to have their hooves trimmed a couple times a year. If you will walk your pig this will not only keep them filed down but it will help keep them fit. You can learn to cut/file their hooves yourself or have your vet do it. Producer's Pride® Burgon & Ball Eze Trim Foot Trimmer
Mini pigs do get constipated. If and when this happens just put a teaspoon of olive oil or mineral oil in their food. You may use 1/4 can of canned pumpkin too.
Libby's Pumpkin: 100% Pure
NEVER allow your vet to use Ketamine (not alone at least) or Halothane to sedate your pig. The only safe anesthesia to use on a mini pig is ISO (Isoflourine Gas). Remember this if your mini pig ever needs surgery for any reason!
All pigs grow tusks. Males tend to have larger tusks. You may as they get older need to have them trimmed a bit but make sure the vet leaves at least 1/2 inch. You do not have to have this done but it is best done by your vet while using Isoflourine Gas anesthesia.
We do have our mini pigs vaccinated. We vaccinate for Erysipelas, Tetanus Toxoid and Rabies. We give the Erysipelas and Tetanus vaccines ourselves. We have the vet do the Rabies vaccine at 4-6 months of age and annually thereafter. Most vaccines are for farm pigs, for one particular strain of disease, which mini pigs rarely if ever get. Mini pigs have a very good immune system. You need to check with your local vet, and for any laws requiring vaccinations in your area! Make sure your vet knows how to dose a mini pig!!!
Our Vaccination Schedule:
Piglets:
Rhineshield Tx4- 5 weeks & 8 weeks 1 cc dose
Tetanus Toxoid- 8 weeks 1 cc dose
***Vet gives 1 cc dose of Rabies Vaccine at 4-6 months***
Adults & Annual Booster:
Ery Shield- 1 cc dose annually ***If first dose repeat in 3 weeks
Tetanus Toxoid- 1 cc dose annually
***Vet gives 1 cc dose of Rabies Vaccine annually***
Breeding Sows & Boars:
FarrowSure Gold Swine Vaccine- 2 cc dose every 6 months
Tetanus Toxoid- 1 cc dose annually
***Vet gives 1 cc dose of Rabies Vaccine annually***
*Some veterinarians do recommend Rabies vaccines to protect your pet pig in case she/he bites a person. If your pig is not vaccinated for Rabies they can legally take her/him & euthanize her/him to test her brain for Rabies. This can be prevented with a rabies vaccine! Pigs CAN contract rabies although it isn't likely. There is no approved rabies vaccine specifically for pigs, but they can still have the vaccine for legal protection or requirements.
If you get your pig micro- chipped have the vet implant it subcutaneously at the base of the left ear on the scutiform cartilage. This is done behind the lower ear lobe because they have found that when the young pigs are chipped where dogs are (between the shoulders) the chip gets lost as they get older (and fatter).
This is the way we treat our pigs. We are NOT vets so please consult your local vet :)
***The Ivermectin you want to give them every 6 months. When you dose them you want to do 2 doses 10-14 days apart, and then repeat that routine every 6 months. We give this orally. You can put it right on their feed. Be sure and get needle and syringe so you can get Ivermectin out of the bottle to give it orally. Do not use a pour on or paste! Injectable Ivermectin is very safe and has a wide recommended dosage range. A safe mid-range dose is 0.2 ml (or cc) per 10 pounds of body weight (which is approximately double the injectable dose). We give the first dose at 6 weeks old and follow with the second dose at 8 weeks old.
* (name brand Ivomec or Noromectin) – good for many internal parasites (but not tapeworms). Good for mites and lice!
* Can be used in pregnant & nursing pigs. Not recommended in piglets under 6 weeks.
***The Safeguard you want to give them about every 4 months. When you dose them you want to do a 3 day cycle, and then repeat that routine every 4 months. We give this orally. You can put it right on their feed. Using a syringe 0.1 ml (or cc) treats 5 pounds. A safe mid-range dose is 0.2 ml (or cc) per 10 pounds of body weight. We do this at 6 weeks old.
* Fenbendazole (name brand Safe-guard) – for tapeworms, whipworms, ascarids. DOES NOT treat mites or lice!
* Can be used in pregnant & nursing pigs. Not recommended for piglets under 6 weeks.
***The syringe is a 1.0 cc/ml syringe.
Mini pigs may need to have their hooves trimmed a couple times a year. If you will walk your pig this will not only keep them filed down but it will help keep them fit. You can learn to cut/file their hooves yourself or have your vet do it. Producer's Pride® Burgon & Ball Eze Trim Foot Trimmer
Mini pigs do get constipated. If and when this happens just put a teaspoon of olive oil or mineral oil in their food. You may use 1/4 can of canned pumpkin too.
Libby's Pumpkin: 100% Pure
NEVER allow your vet to use Ketamine (not alone at least) or Halothane to sedate your pig. The only safe anesthesia to use on a mini pig is ISO (Isoflourine Gas). Remember this if your mini pig ever needs surgery for any reason!
All pigs grow tusks. Males tend to have larger tusks. You may as they get older need to have them trimmed a bit but make sure the vet leaves at least 1/2 inch. You do not have to have this done but it is best done by your vet while using Isoflourine Gas anesthesia.
We do have our mini pigs vaccinated. We vaccinate for Erysipelas, Tetanus Toxoid and Rabies. We give the Erysipelas and Tetanus vaccines ourselves. We have the vet do the Rabies vaccine at 4-6 months of age and annually thereafter. Most vaccines are for farm pigs, for one particular strain of disease, which mini pigs rarely if ever get. Mini pigs have a very good immune system. You need to check with your local vet, and for any laws requiring vaccinations in your area! Make sure your vet knows how to dose a mini pig!!!
Our Vaccination Schedule:
Piglets:
Rhineshield Tx4- 5 weeks & 8 weeks 1 cc dose
Tetanus Toxoid- 8 weeks 1 cc dose
***Vet gives 1 cc dose of Rabies Vaccine at 4-6 months***
Adults & Annual Booster:
Ery Shield- 1 cc dose annually ***If first dose repeat in 3 weeks
Tetanus Toxoid- 1 cc dose annually
***Vet gives 1 cc dose of Rabies Vaccine annually***
Breeding Sows & Boars:
FarrowSure Gold Swine Vaccine- 2 cc dose every 6 months
Tetanus Toxoid- 1 cc dose annually
***Vet gives 1 cc dose of Rabies Vaccine annually***
*Some veterinarians do recommend Rabies vaccines to protect your pet pig in case she/he bites a person. If your pig is not vaccinated for Rabies they can legally take her/him & euthanize her/him to test her brain for Rabies. This can be prevented with a rabies vaccine! Pigs CAN contract rabies although it isn't likely. There is no approved rabies vaccine specifically for pigs, but they can still have the vaccine for legal protection or requirements.
If you get your pig micro- chipped have the vet implant it subcutaneously at the base of the left ear on the scutiform cartilage. This is done behind the lower ear lobe because they have found that when the young pigs are chipped where dogs are (between the shoulders) the chip gets lost as they get older (and fatter).
You can go to our Pinterest page and go to the mini pig board to see some items we use on our pigs/suggest. Just follow the link on the top of the page :)
If at any time you have questions please feel free to contact us and we will help you all we can!
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~Chicks -N- Giggles Farm 2013 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED~