High Calorie Food To Help An Underweight Pig?

[hattie.r]

My friend has just rescued a mother and her litter, and she asked me to come over and see them today. The babies are lovely and robust but mummy pig is looking rather lean and is very skittish. As she's still feeding the babies, what are some high calorie foods that will help her gain some weight? I've suggested unlimited pellets, but is there anything that any experts recommend?

 

[Hermes]

I wouldn't necessarily feed high calorie foods unless she's seriously underweight. She should put on weight steadily with unlimited hay, pellets and plenty of veg. Oats can be given to help weight gain and critical care can be used if she's very malnourished.

Is there any chance she's pregnant again?

 

[Wiebke]

As long as mummy is nursing all nutrients will go straight towards the babies and there is very little you can do. She should make a good recovery on a good general diet that is giving her everything she really needs instead of just empty calories without nutrional value.
Keep mum on our recommended pregnancy diet for 3 weeks after the weaning process to help restock her own body with exactly what she needs most and then switch to our recommended general diet to build her up properly.
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/pregnancy-diet.109377/

How old is mum and how old are the babies? Please be aware that sows come into season again within hours of giving birth and that any male babies need to be separated at 3 weeks old, as that is the age when they start. Otherwise mum could be pregnant again.
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/separating-baby-boars-and-rehoming-babies.109391/

 

[hattie.r]

thanks @Wiebke, she's about 9 months, has 2 female pups and they're 2 weeks old. I've sent her to pregnancy diet list and recommended she keep her on pregnancy watch. thanks for the help!

 

[Wiebke]

@hattie.r : Could you please invite your friend to join for ongoing support?