water and weight?

[Kat and her piggies]

How much do they/sould they be drinking? Mine seem to wee a normal amount but the water bottle hardly moves? Is this normal?

Also ive started weighing them

Last week
Barney - 305g
Burdock - 509g

This week
Barney - 335g
Burdock - 565g

Is this ok?
Barney is 13 weeks
Burdock is 15 weeks
Thanks x

 

[Banana]

They are probably getting all the water they need from the fresh veg you're giving them. Mine don't seem to drink either so I make sure all the veg I give them is rinsed under the tap before I put it in the bowl so it's nice and wet.

I'm not an expert on weight but 335g seems quite little for 13 weeks. My 2 are younger than that but weigh more.

I think I read somewhere that 85g is the average weight for a newborn, then weight gain should be 28g per week or more. Assuming 13 weeks, that should make target weight for Barney over 400g. However, maybe he's just a little pig and since he's putting on weight I guess that's a good sign.

I'm sure someone with more knowledge about weights will be along in a minute to clear things up!

 

[Wiebke]

They are putting on a normal amount of weight and are moving in the right direction! 1-2oz is what you want, and they are doing that!

Barney is obviously a slow grower and will probably never be a big boy; but as long as he is healthy and happy that won't be a problem! Even at his rate, he can make it to a respectable 900-1000g as an adult.

Don't worry, if you're feeding plenty of fresh veg, they won't need as much water. It is the water content in your veg that determines how much else they need. If they have a soft, shiny coat you need not worry that they are dehydrated!

 

[alcesterpigs]

Barney is slightly below average but is still within the normal range.