Non drinking piggies

[pollypocket]

Ok Ive had my three pregnant sows now for just over three weeks and I am getting really concerned about their fluid intake.:...
I have been monitoring the water bottle and they dont seem to be drinking-AT ALL!:0
How can this be though?I just dont get it!
They were all underweight I would say and have needed treatment for mites and fungal.
Everyday they get a great selection of fruit and veg.I can only think they get enough fluids from this?
Even so I think they need to drink!
If this is normal then thats fine but if not are there any tips on something I could put into the water to make them drink it?rolleyes
Issyx

 

[Romily]

I have some pigs who drink loads and others that get most of their fluids from their fruit and veg. They are all different in their intake. Try giving them mainly water filled veg if you are worried. It might be worthwhile to keep a track of their weight so you can check the ladies are putting weight on steadily.

 

[caviaporcellus]

Maybe they don't like water bottles. Try a bowl of water.

 

[Wiebke]

Putting anything into water will usually only deter piggies. We usually recommend putting a bowl of water underneath the water bottle until they have learned the trick, even if you have to change it twice a day.

Once they are more familiar with you, you may move the ball in the bottle to show them the sound they should be making. Perhaps you can rub a bit of cucumber on the spout to entice investigation?

I can understand your worries. However, my shop bought sow had two healthy babies without drinking at all. Although she eventually figured out the bottle, she'd only use it very rarely throughout her life. I made sure that she would get plenty of fresh grass in addition to her usual portion of veg.

Please do not overfeed your sows while they are pregnant, as most of the nutrition will go straight towards the babies anyway and that can cause big problems during birth if a small sow has only 1-2 huge babies.

The mums will have to wait for their pampering until after they have finished nursing and nutrition is finally going towards their own bodies again!

 

[pollypocket]

Thankyou all will be giving that a go asap!
I did think about a bowl but just assumed that they would only kick it over and that all piggies know how to work a water bottle !
I am weighing them once a week as handling them seems to upset them.
(Dont think they know what a cuddle is:0)
Although they have lost weight slightly in there first two weeks here they are slowly gaining.
I was told that the Ivermectin can make them lose a bit of weight and skin problems will make weight go up and down until settled.
Ill post a thread now about their weights.
Issyx