Early creep feeding for piglets is one of the key steps in caring for piglets during the nursing period. In the early stages of life, piglets grow quickly and their nutritional needs keep changing. Meanwhile, the sow’s milk doesn’t always fully meet the growing nutritional needs of the litter.

That’s why getting piglets used to feed early helps supplement their nutrition alongside the sow’s milk, while also allowing them to gradually adapt to feed before weaning.

So when piglets should start creep feeding, how it should be done so piglets adapt easily, and what to keep in mind during the process — let’s find out the details with KSF in the article below.

Why Should You Creep Feed Piglets Early?

Piglets grow very quickly in the first few weeks of life. Their weight can increase significantly in a short period. Based on the barn management experience of KSF’s experts, newborn piglets typically weigh around 1 to 1.5 kg; after 1 week, they can reach about 2 to 3 kg; after 3 weeks, about 4 to 6 kg; and after 4 weeks, about 8 to 12 kg.

This rapid growth comes with increasingly higher nutritional needs. Meanwhile, a sow’s milk output usually rises during the first few weeks and starts to decline after about 3 weeks of lactation. That’s why early creep feeding is a way to provide extra nutrition for piglets as their body’s needs keep increasing.

Piglets’ nutritional needs compared to the sow’s milk supply (Source: KSF)

Helps Meet Piglets’ Nutritional Needs

During the nursing period, milk is an important source of nutrition for piglets. However, as piglets grow quickly, their nutritional needs increase too. Adding creep feed helps piglets gradually take in extra nutrition beyond the sow’s milk and forms an important foundation for preparing them for weaning.

Helps Piglets Get Used to Feed

Early creep feeding for piglets isn’t just about adding feed. It’s also a process that helps piglets build a feed-eating habit before weaning. Once they’re already familiar with the taste and the way of eating feed, piglets have more time to adjust to the change in diet when they move into the post-weaning stage.

Supports the Development and Adaptation of the Digestive System

Exposing piglets to feed early helps stimulate digestive activity and allows the digestive system to gradually adapt to outside feed. This also helps piglets develop well and strengthens the stomach’s gastric secretion reflex. At the same time, it helps reduce parasite infections in piglets caused by the habit of gnawing on the pen.

Helps Reduce Pressure on the Sow

When piglets start eating feed alongside the sow’s milk, their complete dependence on the sow’s milk can gradually decrease. This helps ease the pressure of milk production on the sow during lactation, which in turn helps limit the sow’s body condition loss and helps her return to estrus faster after weaning.

Early creep feeding for piglets helps reduce body condition loss in sows (Source: KSF)

Prepares Piglets for the Weaning Process

Weaning is a stage where piglets need to adapt to many changes, including the shift from the sow’s milk to feed. That’s why early creep feeding for piglets helps create a smoother transition and makes up for nutritional gaps before weaning. And by the time piglets are weaned, they’ve already formed an eating habit, which helps farmers reach market weight more smoothly and reduces the loss rate.

When Should Piglets Start Creep Feeding?

A common question among farmers is when piglets should start creep feeding to match their development. Some technical documents in the industry recommend that farmers start creep feeding at around 5 to 7 days old. According to KSF’s livestock experts, once piglets reach about 7 to 10 days old, farmers can start getting them used to feed to provide extra nutrients.

So the exact timing can be adjusted based on the condition of the herd, farming conditions, and the nutrition program being used. It’s important for farmers to understand that early creep feeding doesn’t mean replacing the sow’s milk right away — it only plays a supplementary role and helps piglets gradually build an eating habit.

The timing of creep feeding can be adjusted based on the herd’s condition, farming conditions, and the nutrition program in use (Source: KSF)

How to Creep Feed Piglets Effectively

For creep feeding piglets to be effective, farmers need to pay attention to the timing, the type of feed, the feeder, and the feeding method.

1. Prepare a Suitable Feeder

The creep feeder should be placed in a convenient spot that’s easy for piglets to reach, while keeping the sow from eating the piglets’ feed. The feeder needs to be kept clean and dry throughout the creep-feeding process.

2. Let Piglets Get Used to Feed Gradually

In the first few days, the main goal is to help piglets recognize the feed and become curious about it. Feed with an appealing smell, placed somewhere easy to reach, can draw piglets’ curiosity and help them get used to it faster.

With MAMA 7 crystal feed, the milky smell and easily dissolving texture attract piglets to come sniff it, causing the feed to stick right to their nose and encouraging them to start creep feeding sooner.

3. Split Feed Into Small Portions and Feed Several Times a Day

In the early stage, piglets can’t eat much in one sitting. So instead of putting out a large amount of feed for a long period, it’s better to split it into several smaller feedings so the feed stays fresh. This also makes it easier for farmers to track how well the piglets are taking to the feed.

4. Keep the Feed Fresh and Clean

To protect piglets’ still-developing digestive system, creep feed needs to be stored properly and not left sitting in the feeder for too long. At the same time, the feeder should be cleaned regularly to avoid leaving old, damp, or contaminated feed inside.

The creep feeder must be kept clean and dry before adding feed (Source: KSF)

5. Monitor the Herd’s Feed Intake

Not every piglet in the same litter takes to feed at the same rate. That’s why farmers should watch the feed intake, how actively the piglets approach the feeder, and the overall condition of the litter in order to make the right adjustments. The goal at this stage is to help piglets get used to feed and build an eating habit, rather than focusing only on how much they eat.

Things to Keep in Mind When Creep Feeding Piglets

Besides choosing the right creep feed for piglets, how you organize feeding also affects how well the litter gets used to eating.

Choose Feed That Suits Piglets

A piglet’s digestive system is still developing and adapting. That’s why creep feed needs to match the piglet’s age and stage of development. You shouldn’t use the same type of feed for every stage without considering the piglets’ nutritional needs.

At weaning, piglets face many changes in both nutrition and environment. Not being used to solid feed yet can reduce their feed intake, affect nutrient absorption, and raise the risk of digestive upset. At the same time, their immune system isn’t fully developed yet, which makes piglets prone to stress during this stage.

Ensure Clean Drinking Water

Besides feed, piglets need access to clean water suited to the barn’s conditions. Drinking water is an important part of caring for piglets, especially once they start eating more supplemental feed.

Monitor Piglets During the Weaning Stage

Early creep feeding should be seen as part of the overall pre-weaning care program for piglets. While carrying out early creep feeding, farmers need to monitor feeding behavior, growth, barn conditions, and the litter’s ability to adapt, both before and after weaning.

MAMA 7, A Crystal-Form Feed Solution for Early Creep Feeding, Helping Reduce Pressure on Sows

For farmers looking for creep feed for piglets, choosing a product suited to the creep-feeding stage is something worth paying attention to.

KSF’s MAMA 7 is a premium compound feed for piglets 1 to 2 weeks before weaning and weaned piglets from 5 to 8 kg. The product comes in a crystal form, and also contains digestive enzymes and probiotics to support healthy gut function.

MAMA 7 is KSF’s signature feed, with an easily dissolving crystal form and a milky smell that quickly gets piglets started on creep feeding (Source: KSF)

Crystal Form Supports the Creep-Feeding Process

MAMA 7 is made in crystal form — neither powder nor solid pellets — which suits the stage when piglets are just starting to get used to feed. This crystal-form feed also sticks easily to piglets’ noses, dissolves as soon as they lick it, and has a flavor piglets take to, which helps them get used to feed faster. KSF’s technical experts also recommend introducing piglets to MAMA 7 starting at around 7 to 10 days old.

MAMA 7 crystal feed, made specifically for early creep feeding in piglets (Source: KSF)

Contains Digestive Enzymes and Probiotics

MAMA 7 is enriched by KSF with digestive enzymes and probiotics to help support piglets’ digestion and gut microbiome.

Helps Reduce Pressure on the Sow

As piglets get used to and start eating more feed, the nutrition from this supplemental feed can help reduce their dependence on the sow’s milk and lessen the sow’s body condition loss during lactation.

What Stage Is MAMA 7 Suited For?

MAMA 7 is used for:

Piglets 1 to 2 weeks before weaning

Weaned piglets from 5 to 8 kg

The product is designed for the creep-feeding stage and the transition into the post-weaning stage.

How to Use MAMA 7 Crystal Feed for Early Creep Feeding

To easily understand how to use MAMA 7 for the best results when starting creep feeding, farmers can watch the video below, made by KSF:

Through this article, KSF hopes farmers now have a clear picture of the benefits of early creep feeding for piglets and what makes MAMA 7 crystal feed useful for adding extra nutrition during the weaning stage. If you’re building a nutrition program for your piglets, feel free to check out KSF’s stage-specific pig feed products and talk with our technical team to find the program that best fits your farm’s actual conditions.

FAQ: Frequently Asked Questions About Early Creep Feeding for Piglets

How Many Days Old Should Piglets Be When They Start Creep Feeding?

Farmers can start getting piglets used to feed at around 7 to 10 days old. Some technical documents in the industry use the 5-to-7-day mark instead, so the exact timing can be adjusted based on the herd’s condition and a care program suited to the size of your operation.

What Are the Benefits of Early Creep Feeding for Piglets?

Early creep feeding provides extra nutrition as piglets’ needs grow, helps them get used to feed, supports digestive system development, and helps them adapt to weaning. Adding feed also helps reduce piglets’ complete dependence on the sow’s milk and lessens the sow’s body condition loss.

What Kind of Feed Should You Choose for Creep Feeding Piglets?

Choose a specialized feed designed for piglets in the creep-feeding stage — one that encourages piglets to get used to eating and meets the high nutritional demands of this fast-growing stage.

What Weight Range Is MAMA 7 Suitable For?

MAMA 7 creep feed is for piglets 1 to 2 weeks before weaning and weaned piglets from 5 to 8 kg.

What Are the Features of MAMA 7?

MAMA 7 comes in crystal form and contains digestive enzymes and probiotics that support piglets’ gut health. It was developed by KSF’s Japanese experts for the creep-feeding and pre-weaning stage.