The Nursery Barn

Pigs in Nursery Barn

At 3-4 weeks of age, weaned piglets are moved into nursery pens where they are housed with pigs of the same size and age. Here, weanlings are provided with fresh water and feed at all times.

Farmers walk through the nursery pens routinely to make sure the pigs are eating regularly and adjusting well. To ensure weanling comfort, the nursery is kept very warm, at 24-30˚C (75-86˚F). Weanlings are protected from drafts, while fresh air circulates through the barn.

These group pens can contain as few as 10 or as many as 300 pigs! This is the first time a pig gets to socialize with pigs from other litters. Their social interactions can include playing, nosing, chewing and fighting. When the pigs are first put together, they will fight a little among themselves to figure out which pigs are in charge in the pens. This is normal behaviour for pigs. Once they get their “pecking order” sorted out, fighting diminishes.

Farmers often provide pigs with some enrichment to keep them occupied, decreasing destructive behaviour and opportunities for “bullying.” Weanlings remain in the nursery barn for 5-8 weeks. During this time, weanlings grow from about 6 kg (13 lb) up to about 26-30 kg (57-66 lb).

Watch these short videos to see what happens in a nursery barn!

Manitoba Pork represents 624 Manitoba hog farms

Manitoba Pork

Manitoba Pork’s office at 28 Terracon Place is open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m, closed from 12:00 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. for lunch. As much as possible, please contact by emailing or phoning in requests for information, ear tags, and other resources. Contact us by phone, fax, email or regular mail.


Tel: 204-237-7447
Fax: 204-237-9831
24-hour Emergency Contact Line: 1-833-310-0108

28 Terracon Place
Winnipeg, MB, Canada
R2J 4G7

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