By Brittney Malvitz

Malvitz Family Farm

The milk your sow produces in the first 24 hours after farrowing is the most important for your newborn piglets. This special milk is called colostrum and is very rich in antibodies for passive immunity and important nutrients that are critical for a newborn piglet. Studies have also shown that colostrum has natural growth factors that help vital organs develop. Within a couple hours of birth, piglets should be nursing to get the full benefits of colostrum. After about six hours, the piglet’s digestive system begins to change. At around 24 hours old, piglets will start to lose their ability to absorb colostrum. With smaller litters you shouldn’t have to worry about all the piglets getting their fair share of colostrum. With larger litters, you can remove the larger piglets for about 10 minutes at a time so that the smaller piglets get as much colostrum as possible.  

References:  thepigsite.com and Small-scale Outdoor Pig Breeding by Wendy Scudamore