Why don't the piglets eat?

If piglets aren't eating or are refusing food only partially, it's essential to immediately determine the cause and focus all efforts on eliminating it. In some cases, the consequences can be dire—for example, death due to underlying illness.

Poor nutrition

The way young offspring are fed determines their future development, which is essential for producing healthy offspring from sows and meat for feeding. Problems with food intake are often caused by an improper diet.

Lack of balance

An improperly formulated diet, which consists of monotonous foods over a long period of time, can contribute to stomach upset. This is especially true for coarsely ground foods, which the digestive system cannot yet fully digest.

It's important to feed piglets a diet rich in vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, fats, and proteins. If even one element is lacking, the pigs become ill, eventually refusing to eat.

The disorder manifests itself in the form of:

• diarrhea or constipation;
• nausea and vomiting;
• apathy (lack of activity);
• drowsiness.

To prevent this, feed 2-3 types of food per day and ensure constant access to plant-based foods, which should act as a supplement. If you have difficulty balancing your diet on your own, consider purchasing specialized food, but this will be expensive.

Avitaminosis

When a piglet refuses to eat and fails to gain weight, it may indicate a vitamin deficiency. This is especially true for vitamin D, which is crucial for young pigs.

Deficiencies in elements can have a variety of consequences, but there are certain substances whose absence not only causes an animal to refuse to eat, but also leads to problems such as:

• vitamin D - rickets, developmental delay;
• vitamin A – digestive and respiratory disorders;
• B vitamins – growth retardation, diarrhea, cardiovascular diseases;
• iron - anemia.

As mentioned above, vitamin D deficiency is the most dangerous, as it leads to the following:

• deformation of joints and bones;
• weight loss;
• unsteadiness;
• lethargy;
• cramps in the limbs.

To solve the problem, it is necessary to introduce into the diet such products as cow's milk (never store-bought), whey, blood or meat and bone meal, and fish oil.

To prevent vitamin D deficiency, do the following:

• In summer, late spring and early autumn. Provide the animals with adequate outdoor exercise, and be sure to do so in the open air so that the sun's rays reach the piglets' skin.
• In winter and during periods of rain and cold. Install ultraviolet lamps in the pigsty. Irradiate them for 5-10 minutes daily.
• Injections. If it is not possible to carry out the above actions, vaccinate against rickets or give vitamin injections.

Fungal infestation of feed

If feed is contaminated with fungal spores, mycotoxins are released, causing ulcers on the animal's mucous membranes and skin. Consequently, the piglet will be unable to properly fill its mouth with food and chew it due to excruciating pain.

In addition, contaminated feed has an unpleasant smell and taste (like mold), which is why pigs lose their appetite.

How to fix the situation if there is a lot of such feed in the bins:

• 1-2 days before feeding, dry the food in the scorching rays of the sun or in the oven, but it is best to do this with all available food, since the spread of the fungus is rapid;
• include a mycotoxin sorbent in the feed mixture, which destroys fungi;
• Treat the feed with acidifiers.

Too dry and too wet food

The digestive tract of piglets is not fully formed – it is delicate and weak, and therefore unable to process excessively dry or wet feed.

Other causes and symptoms:

• Dry. Dust is released, which penetrates the lungs and respiratory tract, contributing to the development of bronchopneumonia. This results in severe shortness of breath, making it difficult to eat.
• Wet. The pig's body's defenses are directed toward removing excess fluid, causing the brain centers to impulsively send a signal about this, which in turn indicates the end of the food absorption process, so the piglet does not eat for a long time (until all the moisture is removed).
  Considering that the animal also drinks water, this does not happen immediately.

Oversaturation of feed with minerals and vitamins

Not only vitamin deficiency negatively impacts appetite, but also an excess of vitamins, micronutrients, and macronutrients. Refusal to eat is a protective reaction by the piglet's body against the intake of excess nutrients.

The pig feels fine, but isn't eating. To solve the problem, it's necessary to change the feed.

Spoiled feed

If vegetables, fruits, grains, husks, etc. show signs of spoilage (rot, etc.), they emit unpleasant odors that do not attract attention, but rather repel animals.

Diseases

This is the most common reason piglets refuse to eat. Their bodies function similarly to humans, causing a decrease or complete loss of appetite. Diseases can be infectious (the most dangerous) or non-infectious.

Worms

When an animal is infected with a worm, its appetite doesn't always increase; it often disappears as a result of a general deterioration in health. A worm infestation can be recognized by the following signs:

• increased anxiety;
• insomnia;
• rubbing the tail area against other objects (trying to scratch);
• sneezing, coughing, hoarse grunting - if the nasopharynx is affected;
• sudden weight loss;
• increase in body temperature;
• hoarseness of voice.

Parasites can be detected in feces. Antiparasitic medications are used for treatment. The choice of specific medication depends on the piglet's age and the type of helminth.

What you must do:

• separate the sick pig from the healthy individuals;
• carry out antihelminthic treatment of the remaining piglets;
• disinfect the pigsty, feeders, dishes, work tools, etc.

Edema disease

It most often occurs immediately after weaning the piglets. Because the nervous system is affected, it manifests itself with specific symptoms:

• a sharp increase in body temperature;
• paralysis in the limbs;
• swelling of the eyes;
• swelling of the head and chest area;
• loud squealing due to pain.

Plague

It's considered a deadly disease that spreads rapidly throughout a herd. The infection is transmitted not only by animals, but also by flies, insects, birds, rats, tools, and the owner's clothing. Therefore, if plague is detected, thorough disinfection is carried out.

The plague happens African and classic, undetectable for 7 days. The causative agent is a togavirus that secretes ribonucleic acids that accumulate in the liver, bone marrow, and blood vessels.

Within a short time, internal organs and systems are destroyed, resulting in the animal's death. Besides loss of appetite, the following symptoms occur:

• increase in body temperature;
• lethargy;
• vomit;
• formation of purple-red spots in the area of ​​the head, ears, and thighs.

Smallpox

A viral disease that is not transmissible to humans. After infection, piglets develop a fever and lesions on their mucous membranes and skin. These lesions cause the animals to become weak and completely refuse to eat.

To solve the problem, you need to contact a veterinarian who will prescribe special ointments and cauterizing solutions.

Mug

Mug — the disease is identical to plague, manifests itself with the same symptoms, and is dangerous. The difference lies in the location of the purple-red spots—in erysipelas, they form on the soles of the hooves.

Swine flu

The disease is not considered dangerous, as piglets do not die from it, but they suffer severely. Therefore, it is important to use medications aimed at eliminating symptoms and strengthening the immune system to alleviate the condition.

How it manifests itself:

• refusal to eat can be partial or complete;
• the piglet sneezes and coughs all the time;
• redness appears all over the body;
• Mucous discharge flows from the nose and eyes.

The veterinarian will definitely prescribe antibacterial therapy.

Dysentery

This condition is extremely dangerous for young piglets, as they often die. The animals suddenly refuse to eat because their body temperature rises too high. Signs of illness include diarrhea, lethargy, and weakness.

If immediate action is not taken (antibacterial treatment), the piglets will die within 4-5 days.

Foot-and-mouth disease

It's considered a serious disease with a very severe course, especially in young pigs. Piglets become inflamed, developing watery blisters on their skin and mucous membranes. This prevents them from eating.

Rabies

This is a viral disease that is dangerous not only to animals but also to humans, but only if a person is bitten by an infected piglet. It spreads rapidly, with an incubation period of 3 to 8 weeks.

The symptoms manifest themselves as follows:

• complete refusal of food, since it is painful for the piglet to take sips;
• animal aggressiveness;
• increased salivation;
• unsteadiness of gait.

Death occurs approximately a week after the first symptoms appear. Paralysis is a precursor to death.

Aujeszky

Another name for this disease is pseudorabies, which is fatal in young animals. It's not dangerous for adults, as it's easily treated.

Symptoms:

• first, the body temperature rises;
• then lethargy appears;
• then appetite gradually worsens;
• the piglet begins to sneeze occasionally and completely refuses to eat;
• At the last stage, convulsions appear.

To prevent the development of the disease, preventive vaccination is carried out.

Vesicular exanthema

The disease is characterized by skin rashes and fever. Incubation lasts from 12 hours to 14 days. Young animals are particularly susceptible. Vesicular exanthema manifests itself in stages:

• Primary. The animal is feverish, so it can't stand up. Excessive saliva is secreted from its mouth, preventing it from eating. At the same time, a rash develops around the snout and lips.
  The rash is characterized by a yellowish tint and crusting. After its appearance, the temperature drops sharply.
• Secondary. The pimples spread to the hooves (the coronary band area and between the toes). The pig completely refuses any food and begins to limp.

Only antibiotics are used for treatment.

Non-infectious pathologies

Among the harmless diseases that cause piglets to not eat anything, the following are distinguished:

• Gastroenteritis. The pancreas and stomach are affected, causing the pigs to experience severe pain and refuse food. This leads to a sharp weight loss.
• Encephalomyelitis. Another name for this condition is Teschen disease. It affects the brain, causing constipation, hyperthermia, and seizures. Young animals are often unable to survive the disease.
• Salt poisoning. The main cause is too much salt in the diet. The main symptoms include constant thirst, fever, and chills.

Violations of conditions of detention

Young pigs require special environmental conditions, as they are highly sensitive to temperature fluctuations, leading to illness and other problems. Housing conditions are also important. If they are unfavorable, piglets refuse to eat, breathe heavily, and develop slowly.

Please note the factors that contribute to this:

• high humidity or dry air;
• unsanitary conditions that are created by infrequent cleaning and the absence of clean feeders and waterers (this also leads to infection);
• too hot or too cold.

What can be done to normalize the conditions of detention:

• wash the dishes from which the piglets eat and drink;
• clean the room twice a day;
• make grooves and a floor slope to allow urine and feces to drain;
• Make sure that liquid manure does not get into the feeders;
• regulate the temperature - the optimum temperature for young animals in summer is +20⁰C, in winter - at least +13-15⁰C (if necessary, install heating or cooling devices);
• Ventilate the room, as feces release ammonia;
• lay down a bed of straw;
• In winter, to prevent freezing, raise the floor covering to a height of 15-20 cm.

Stress

Pigs' nervous systems are very sensitive, so external factors can negatively impact them, causing shock and stress. This condition, in turn, leads to decreased appetite and sudden weight loss.

What can scare a pig:

• change of residence;
• change in diet (sudden);
• vaccination;
• the appearance of new individuals in the pen, especially if they are not pigs (for example, cats, rats, chickens, kids, etc.);
• entrance of strangers into a pigsty;
• too bright or insufficient lighting;
• sudden changes in temperature.

Those individuals who are being transferred from breastfeeding to a complete diet are particularly strongly affected by such factors, especially considering that the transfer itself is already stressful.

In this situation, to relieve stress and improve appetite, various essential oils are added to the food (consult your veterinarian), and large areas for walking and playing are organized.

Malocclusion

A piglet will be unable to chew food properly (especially hard food) if it has developed a malocclusion. In this case, it won't refuse food completely, but it will consume significantly less feed. Due to poor digestibility, the animal begins to lose weight.

If you can't show the piglet to a veterinarian, examine the jaw yourself:

1. Spread his lips so that all his teeth are exposed.
2. Examine them carefully. If the teeth are aligned, this is normal; however, if they are misaligned by at least five teeth, this is considered a defect.

Diagnosing the problem

A loss of appetite is the first sign of a deteriorating animal's general condition. A second sign is lethargy and apathy. In such situations, it's essential to immediately call a veterinarian and conduct an examination—including stool, urine, and blood tests—to detect infectious diseases that are particularly life-threatening.

If this is not possible, move sick animals to a separate room and monitor them constantly. If signs of illness are detected, call a specialized service available at any agricultural organization rather than a veterinarian.

You can diagnose problems not related to pathologies yourself:

• measure the air temperature;
• determine the humidity level;
• examine the condition of the feed (is it spoiled);
• change the type of food;
• Introduce mineral and vitamin supplements into your diet.

How to make feed attractive to pigs?

If the reason for the animals' refusal to eat is the monotony of the feed, but the farmer has no way to replace it, they can resort to trickery by making it more appealing to the animals. For example:

• add sugar, salt or lactic acid (eg milk, whey) to food;
• add spices - mustard, herbs;
• Instead of raw grain, cook porridge or steam it;
• yeast the feed – add baker’s yeast;
• add a few drops of essential oil (any, but first check how a particular piglet reacts to a certain aroma);
• If the young are still breastfed, add essential oils to the sow's food (the smell and taste are transmitted through the milk).

For a piglet to grow healthy and robust, it needs proper nutrition, so keep a close eye on each piglet, paying particular attention to how vigorously they consume their food. If they chew slowly, pick at their food excessively, etc., this is a clear sign of an impending nutritional problem.

Frequently Asked Questions