Dixie Pigs
Oinking with a southern twang ;)
Feeding Instructions
FRESH WATER AT ALL TIMES
We recommend dividing feeding portion to twice a day. 1/2 -1 cup of pellets per day for up to 25 pounds of body weight. We recommend pellet feed made especially for Miniature Pigs. NEVER FEED: Grower, finisher or any type of hog feed.
FRUITS & VEGETABLES:
Remember to always cut up their food into small pieces to prevent choking.
A pigs diet needs to be low in carbs and hign in fiber to maintain good health.
Pears, Plums, Peaches, Apples, Strawberries and Tomatoes are favorite snacks amoung our pigs. They are given when training for treats only. Fruits are higher in sugar content and should be given in small amounts.
These veggies should be given in small amounts: eggplant, carrots, broccoli, corn, squash, zucchini, green beans, lettuce (all varities) and okra.
Many piglets will not eat fresh veggies or fruits at first. Sometimes cooking the veggies will help. Remember do NOT add salt.
Introducing piggy to it's new home
We do not recommend that you carry the piglet in your lap or with free roam or the vehicle. Your vehicle is new to them new smells, sounds and more than likely music. We have socialized the piglet. But you have to remember you are a stranger to them unless you've been visiting them before you took him/her home. But your home is a new home to them. New noises, smells, people and if it applies, pets. NEVER let your piglet alone with your dog.
We recommend that you leave your piglet in the crate he/she rode home in. This will create a safe place for your pig when they feel frightened. We recommend you put the blanket we sent home with you in the crate with them before they leave us. That blanket will provide security and your piglet will cover him/herself up in it.
It is recommended that after 30 minutes to an hour to open the door on the crate and let out and investigate their new suroundings. Place the water and food dish along side their crate and the litter box we provided for you on the other side with the pig safe litter filled to the mark we put for you on the inside of the box.
Sit on the floor and offer the treats we provided for you. Be patient and allow your new piglet to come to you. Do NOT chase your piglet. You will only scare them. The piglet will soon learn that you are not going to hurt them. The piglet will soon after gaining your trust be in your lap. This may take a while. So again be patient.
Your piglet may squeal when you first pick them up. We recommend putting a blanket under their legs for support. Just hold on to them and hold them close to reassure them that they are not prey. Do NOT allow them to squeal for an extended period of time. They learn very quickly so be sure to place the piglet on the floor after they stop sqealing and try again another time. If you place them on the floor while they are squealing they learn this is how they get down. You don't want to get them into that habit.
Below is the type of food/water dish we recommend. We use ceramic.
It is what the piglet learned to drink and eat from at our home. It is also not easily tipped over.
Bath Time
We have already Introduced your piglet to a bath at an early age. But for piglet it will be a new experience all over again with you. They have not yet had a bath in your tub. So this activity may take several attemps before piglet feels comfortable. We use (tearless baby shampoo) Johnson's Baby Bedtime Moisture Wash. It is in a purple bottle and smells like lavender. To keep coats soft use Palmer's Moisturizing Hair Oil with Vitamin E. Pigs will elminate in the water while being bathed. This is completely normal. We suggest you run the water before enabling the plug and wait for it. Then you can use the litter scoop and flush it. Then continue with the bath as normal.
Make sure there are no object nearby that can injure your piglet while in or around the tub.
Training Your Piglet
Pigs are extremely intelligent. They are a lot smarter than they are given credit for. They learn lots of tricks including but not limited to sit, play dead, shake, bow, crawl and speak. I use a clicker when training.
If you ever have any questions about you new pet pig do not hesitate to contact me at (678)206-9455.
My email address is thedixipigs@gmail.com
My personal page on FB is https://www.facebook.com/dixiefamily and our piggy page is https://www.facebook.com/dixiepigs
I also have a group on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/PiggyFriendsUnited/