Creep Feeding Handbook

Weaning is stressful for piglets, and many producers use creep feed — solid feed offered before weaning — to help ease that transition. But with creep feed costing up to $1,800 per tonne, is it actually paying off?

Research shows mixed results. Less than 60% of piglets in a litter typically eat creep feed, and about half of all studies find no measurable benefit. The biggest gains happen when piglets are weaned at 28 days or older, and when the creep feed closely matches the nursery diet.

A few simple, low-cost changes can make a real difference: use a round feeder with a hopper, provide 5 to 8 feeder spaces per litter, place the feeder near the sow's head, and try larger pellets (~12 mm). Adding rope or burlap to create a "play feeder" can also improve post-weaning health and performance.

If you're weaning at 21 days, consider skipping specialty creep feed altogether and just offer your nursery phase 1 diet for the last 3 to 7 days before weaning.