Miniature Pig

Miniature Pig - a general term for small pigs, known nationwide for their small size, early maturity, and delicious meat. The body of the Miniature Pig is small and the fur is black, fine and shiny. The head is long with a flat forehead and wrinkles. There is a hairless area around the eyes, with thin ears extending flat to both sides. The back is slightly concave, with a large and round belly that hangs down. The legs are short and thin, and the tail is small with white hair at the tip. The average weight of a 6-month-old boar is 14.2 kilograms, with a body length of 65 centimeters, a height of 33 centimeters, and a chest circumference of 55 centimeters. The average weight of a 8-month-old sow is 30 kilograms, with a body length of 70 centimeters, a height of 47 centimeters, and a chest circumference of 73 centimeters. The slaughter rate of fattened Miniature Pigs is 63.6%, and the lean meat ratio is 52.2%. The key to raising piglets is: firstly, post-birth care; secondly, feeding management within 7 days after birth; thirdly, feeding management before and after weaning. The mortality rate of piglets is generally high within 5 days after birth due to freezing, crushing, and diseases, so careful management is necessary. The feeding frequency for piglets is 6-8 times within the first month, and 4-6 times within 1-2 months. It can be reduced to 3-4 times after 2 months. The feeding amount should not be excessive, and it is best to add feeding 1-2 times during the night.

1. Swine fever, infectious hepatitis

When miniature pigs have a high fever, it is mostly caused by acute infectious diseases such as swine fever and infectious hepatitis. In addition, heat stroke, acute poisoning, acute pneumonia, puerperal fever, sepsis, etc. can also cause high fever without relief.

2. Bronchitis, chronic nephritis, endometritis

The sustained low-grade fever in miniature pigs is mostly caused by chronic diseases such as chronic bronchitis, chronic nephritis, endometritis, hyperthyroidism, etc. In addition, when viral infectious diseases turn into chronic conditions, they can also cause sustained low-grade fever.

3. Parasitic diseases, gastroenteritis

The sudden loss of appetite in miniature pigs is mostly caused by chronic infectious diseases such as intestinal parasites, chronic gastroenteritis, abnormal secretion of digestive juice, and imbalances in gastrointestinal flora. The sudden increase in appetite is mostly caused by diabetes, liver disease, increased urination, acute gastroenteritis, severe vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration.

4. Leptospirosis, poisoning

When miniature pigs vomit after drinking water, it is mostly caused by acute leptospirosis, acute gastritis, cerebral hemorrhage, food poisoning, or drug poisoning. When miniature pigs vomit immediately after eating, it is mostly caused by excessive food intake, ingestion of foreign objects, acute pharyngitis, intestinal obstruction, or roundworm disease. When vomiting is accompanied by a fever, it is mostly caused by swine fever, infectious hepatitis, viral infections, acute peritonitis, acute enteritis, poisoning-induced gastroenteritis, or food poisoning. The phenomenon of vomiting what is eaten is mostly caused by excessive food intake, excessive fiber in the food, excessive gastric burden, or exercising immediately after eating. In addition, pharyngitis can also cause the phenomenon of vomiting what is eaten.

5. Cold

The dryness of the snout and nostrils in miniature pigs is mostly caused by cold, infectious, febrile diseases, dehydration, exhaustion, etc. Changes in the color of the snout are mostly caused by allergies and dermatitis caused by sunlight exposure.

6. Swine fever, infectious hepatitis

The excessive eye discharge in miniature pigs is mostly caused by keratitis and conjunctivitis, but it can also be seen in cases of swine fever, infectious hepatitis, rashes, systemic febrile diseases, where yellowish purulent eye discharge can be observed. Other conditions such as intestinal parasites and chronic gastrointestinal diseases can also cause starch-like white eye discharge. The excessive tearing in miniature pigs is mostly caused by abnormal lacrimal glands, blocked nasolacrimal ducts, etc., and tears can also be observed when there is conjunctival edema caused by pollen or plant allergy. The whitening of the eyeball in miniature pigs is mostly caused by bacterial infection after ocular trauma, and it can also be caused by cataracts or during the recovery phase of infectious hepatitis. The eyelid swelling in miniature pigs is mostly caused by conjunctivitis, meibomian gland inflammation, pollen allergy, nephritis, etc., and mechanical irritation can also cause eyelid swelling. Conjunctival congestion in miniature pigs is mostly caused by blepharitis, conjunctivitis, keratitis, etc. Other conditions such as heat stroke, dehydration, and fever can also cause conjunctival congestion. Conjunctival yellowing in miniature pigs is mostly caused by infectious hepatitis, drug poisoning, liver diseases, bile duct obstruction, duodenitis, etc.

Living Environment:

Pet pigs need to live in a quiet and dry environment, with a temperature of 18-29 degrees Celsius. You can let them live in the study, living room, or balcony. Pet pigs are afraid of the cold, so remember to provide them with a warm nest in winter, with some blankets or quilts, to prevent them from catching a cold or getting diarrhea.

Diet:

For pigs aged 0-4 weeks, you can feed them whole milk powder. Mix about 2-3 tablespoons of milk powder with 100cc of milk for each meal. You can also add 1 teaspoon of cream or 1 egg yolk to increase nutrition. Many people who sell pigs say that piglets cannot drink human milk, as the nutritional composition is different from pig milk. However, many pig owners feed their pigs milk and have not found any adverse reactions, so you can let your pet pig consume it with confidence.

After 4 weeks, you can feed the piglets with dry whole milk powder. Give about 2 tablespoons of milk powder per meal and reduce the amount of liquid milk feeding. This action is called "teaching the pig to eat from the trough" and aims to train the digestive ability of the stomach and intestines to solid food.

After 6 weeks, you can feed the piglets a small amount of solid food or soaked solid food, and start trying fruits, vegetables, and other foods. When introducing new food to the piglets, they may experience nutritional diarrhea. If the pig owner discovers that the pig's feces are not well-formed and relatively loose, they should seek medical attention as soon as possible.

After 1 month, the piglets can fully consume solid food. Since pigs are omnivorous, their diet should include vegetables, fruits, and animal protein, such as chicken, beef, and cucumbers, in order to maintain a balanced nutrition and ensure the healthy growth of the piglets.