Help - how to stop my piglets' bad behavior!

[big mami]

We're new to pigs, and at first we gave our two piglets treats from our hands and on the ground in front of us. After a few inadvertent nips, we have switched to giving treats only in the trough. Unfortunately, the piglets still bite our shoes whenever we're near them! They think we have put food on the ground and are trying to find it. What is the best way to stop the shoe biting? I'm thinking a quick whap on the head with a short willow switch might do it, but would that work? I want them to like us, but I need to stop this bad behavior while they're little!

P.S. They come right to us whenever we're near, but they're still jittery about being touched. We've had them now for 1 1/2 weeks and they're 9 1/2 weeks old.

 

[AshleyFishy]

Whacking them on the bridge of the nose will get their attention or a hot stick to the shoulder.

 

[M.L. McKnight]

Baby pigs are curious, they will nip at your boots and that phase will pass.

As for them nipping your hands, try what I do. Hold your hand out and feed them then show them your hand,when they nip you- give them a quick smack on the snout and put your hand right back out for them. They will nip you again- then smack them. Put it back out there for them, keep doing this until they don't nip- then praise them and scratch them. Continue to do this for a few days and they will stop nipping your hands, usually by that third time of you putting your hand out they will decide they don't need to have a taste of you after all.
I have used this trick on every pig I have every raised and every full grown SOW or BOAR I have even gotten. Granted with fully grown hogs that you haven't raised you might want to have a panel separating the two of you and you'd better have fast hands.
I keep a hickory club stuck in my boot when I am around the larger hogs in the pasture, I have yet to need it and I tend to think that little trick may be partly responsible.

 

[jhm47]

Pigs are not dogs, and giving them treats from your hands is asking for trouble. Pigs are omnivorous, and if given the opportunity will kill and eat most anything. I raised pigs for 40 years, and witnessed several events that convinced me that they are not to be trusted. I have no experience with pot-bellied pigs, which some seem to keep for pets successfully, but I do know from experience that the large commercial breeds are not to be kept as pets.

 

[M.L. McKnight]

I have had my own farm and been raising my own pigs for going on three years, I have had pigs since I was little, my dad has raised pigs since he was a boy with my grandpa (he'll be 66 in a few weeks) and my family has had pigs since anyone can remember- that 'little trick' I mentioned has worked for many generations of my family.
As I have told many people: respect what a hog COULD do but don't let yourself become afraid. If you ever have anything you are scared of or that is mean then remember that there is always room on the sale barn floor.

 

[koop]

Pigs will "feel" with their noses, they will push on anything that moves.
They'll make associations with food, so don't let them see you as a source.
Don't expect livestock to be pets or act like a dog.