http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ Farming Friends Forum: Forum: Pigs - Recent Posts en Sun, 19 May 2013 23:54:38 +0000 http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=5156#post-23392 Thu, 11 Apr 2013 07:34:36 +0000 admin 23392@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>Hi Corbettfarms40,<br /> Does she have mastitis? Mastitis affects sows and gilts that have farrowed and are feeding piglets or have just weaned their piglets.<br /> Signs to look out for include:</p> <p> Teats that are hot to the touch.<br /> Teats that are hard and lumpy.<br /> Sow not eating.<br /> Heavy breathing.<br /> Raised temperature.<br /> Lethargy in sows.<br /> Not standing up.<br /> <a href="http://farmingfriends.com/mastitis-in-sows/" rel="nofollow">http://farmingfriends.com/mastitis-in-sows/</a><br /> Mastitis needs to be treated quickly, so if you suspect that your sow or gilt has mastitis then you may want to call for your vet. Mastitis can be treated with a course of antibiotics.<br /> Hope she gets better soon.<br /> Kind regards<br /> Sara @ farmingfriends </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=5156#post-23391 Wed, 10 Apr 2013 23:23:39 +0000 corbettfarms40 23391@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>I took my sow away from her piglets at 8 weeks and she has been acting as if she cannot walk on her front legs. she is laying around. what is wrong with her. </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=5117#post-23280 Mon, 18 Feb 2013 10:42:56 +0000 admin 23280@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>Hi DC,<br /> This is common in saddlebacks. If they have a full saddlthey can probably be registered as pure bred if the sow mated with a saddleback. The others can't be registered. You may get more money if selling them if they have a full saddle.<br /> Ihad two saddleback sows and one had a thinner saddle and the boarhad a thin saddle and so the sow with a thinner saddle often had more piglets without saddles or not with whole saddles.<br /> Congrats on the birth of the piglets, they are so mischievous and lovely natured pigs enjoy.<br /> Kind regards<br /> Sara @ farmingfriends </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=5112#post-23274 Sun, 17 Feb 2013 15:33:21 +0000 Devon Cream 23274@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>Sara Thank you so much for your support. It seems to be working as both boar and sow have become inseparable! If he is successful, it will be the his 4th litter! Thank you again. </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=5117#post-23269 Sun, 17 Feb 2013 14:20:14 +0000 Devon Cream 23269@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>One of my saddleback pigs had 8 piglets, 7 of which survived. In total there were 5 saddleback piglets and 3 ALL black ones. Does this mean she was not a true saddleback? Or is this common in saddleback pigs? </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=5112#post-23230 Mon, 11 Feb 2013 19:45:16 +0000 admin 23230@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>Hi Devon Cream,<br /> Yes I would bring the boar to her! Do you want her to be with the boar permanently? She may not like this if he is overamorous!<br /> I kept two Saddleback gilts/sows and we used to hire a boar in for breeding so he was only with them for so many weeks.<br /> Kind regards<br /> Sara @ farmingfriends </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=5112#post-23229 Mon, 11 Feb 2013 18:09:10 +0000 Devon Cream 23229@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>Sara - thank you so much for the quick reply. I am impressed!</p> <p>We use electric fencing on all our pig pens and had never had any probs with her before the day before she was due that night. She spurned the proper farrowing ark with bars which we carefully prepared for her on a piece of virgin grass in favour of the field shelter and all the mud outside it!</p> <p>It is almost as if she is paying us back for the ignominy of having babies at her time of life! We have already been told that we are lucky that a gilt of 2½ years became pregnant.</p> <p>Do you think we should bring the boar up into the field she obviously prefers?</p> <p>The only pig she had a small fight with was her full sister from the same litter who has NOT become pregnant despite half brother's best attempts! </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=5112#post-23225 Mon, 11 Feb 2013 15:09:59 +0000 admin 23225@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>Hi Devon Cream,<br /> Have you tried Electric fencing to keep her in. </p> <p>If electric fencing is to be used then the pig will need to be introduced to it otherwise the pig will find a way to get through it or will get in a panic. You need to educate the pig about the electric fence and when doing this place an electric fence in front of a wall or stock fence so that you can contain the pig as you train her. Once the pig has touched the electric fence a couple of times she will realise that she does’t want to go through. <a href="http://farmingfriends.com/pig-fencing/" rel="nofollow">http://farmingfriends.com/pig-fencing/</a></p> <p>Does she fight with the others when she goes in with them as often if a pig has been separated from others they will fight for the pecking order!</p> <p>Hope you can get her where you want her. Keep us posted.<br /> Kind regards<br /> Sara @ farmingfriends </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=5112#post-23221 Mon, 11 Feb 2013 05:51:18 +0000 Devon Cream 23221@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>We used AI on one of our gilts and she went through all the right motions textbook style, even making a nest and the right sort of noises and then.....nothing! No piglets and a couple of days later she left the nest and went foraging again.</p> <p>So we decided that she would have to be a pet. Now her half-brother at 8 months old was beginning to be adventurous and he broke out of his pen one day to join our pet when she was in season. As he could not really reach her we thought nothing of it but 3 months later we suspected that the pet was in pig!</p> <p>We decided to prepare a farrowing ark for her with straw and fresh ground, but when her time was due, she broke out and went instead to the field shelter in which we stored a couple of large round bales of straw. She demolished one of these to make herself a nest and eventually gave birth to 4 piglets, 2 of which survived.</p> <p>Then we started having problems. The pet took her piglets everywhere in the first field and we were unable to find any means of keeping them in and so when the time came to wean the babies we took Mum down to join the other pigs in the next field with the idea of taking the babies to market at the end of the week.</p> <p>Mum had different ideas because by the end of the day she had rejoined her babies. The next day we found the evidence that she had negotiated a barbed wire fence; a 4 foot bank; another barbed wire fence and old gates and then clambered up through the orchard. </p> <p>But we still took the babies to market at the end of the week and then hoped that she would settle down.</p> <p>Our problem is that we want her to stay with the boar, but she refuses to stay in the field with the other pigs. Her latest escapade was to push through the hawthorn hedge between the gatepost and bank.</p> <p>Does anyone have any ideas as to how we can persuade her that it would be more fun for her if she stayed with the rest of the pigs? Or do you think it would be better to sell her?</p> <p>Incidentally the babies had fun with the choice of teats and ended up sharing 6 of them between them. </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=4131#post-21699 Mon, 30 Jul 2012 22:50:15 +0000 Lorna 21699@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p><a href="http://www.google.co.uk/#hl=en&#38;gs_nf=1&#38;cp=14&#38;gs_id=17&#38;xhr=t&#38;q=clipping+piglets+teeth&#38;pf=p&#38;output=search&#38;sclient=psy-ab&#38;oq=clipping+pigle&#38;gs_l=&#38;pbx=1&#38;bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&#38;fp=30fcf10406513d9c&#38;biw=1024&#38;bih=501" rel="nofollow">http://www.google.co.uk/#hl=en&#38;gs_nf=1&#38;cp=14&#38;gs_id=17&#38;xhr=t&#38;q=clipping+piglets+teeth&#38;pf=p&#38;output=search&#38;sclient=psy-ab&#38;oq=clipping+pigle&#38;gs_l=&#38;pbx=1&#38;bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&#38;fp=30fcf10406513d9c&#38;biw=1024&#38;bih=501</a></p> <p>Hope the link works above I googled it, I would say if all are happy maybe to leave things as they are. My mum owned pigs but I cannot remember what was done as regards clipping exactly as it is so long ago now. Hope yours does well.<br /> Lorna </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=4131#post-21692 Mon, 30 Jul 2012 18:43:23 +0000 Mama 21692@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>Hi and welcome, sorry can't help but sure someone will be able too .Don't think there has been a post on this matter so can't direct you .Mama </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=4131#post-21689 Mon, 30 Jul 2012 15:24:35 +0000 Anonymous 21689@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>Hi, I'm new here. We have four 4week old piglets that I forgot to clip their teeth. How necessary is it at this point? The sow doesn't seem to mind.</p> <p>Thanks in advance and God Bless. </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=3833#post-21333 Sun, 15 Jul 2012 08:40:09 +0000 admin 21333@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>Hi jennifer,<br /> As Sinead says it is best to remove the boar before the sow farrows. I have kept saddlebacks and raised piglets, we had 2 sows and hired a boar for a couple of weeks so didn't have the problem of having to separate.<br /> Good luck with the breeding.<br /> kind regards<br /> Sara @ farmingfriends </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=3833#post-21331 Sun, 15 Jul 2012 02:18:20 +0000 Sinad 21331@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>Hi Jennifer,<br /> We have raised pigs (saddlebacks, gloucester old spot and tamworth) but have yet to breed them but to my knowledge it's best to remove the boar before the sow gives birth and she should remain separated while farrowing. Piglets, or banabhs as we call them are an amazing experience!! I'm looking forward to the day when we can breed our own and I will probably be looking for your professional advice at that stage:) Hope all goes well!!</p> <p>Sinéad </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=3833#post-21135 Tue, 10 Jul 2012 18:42:44 +0000 Mama 21135@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>Hi Jennifer welcome ,Sara admin will be able to advise when she comes on .A lovely breed but know nothing about pig keeping .Mama </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=3833#post-21134 Tue, 10 Jul 2012 17:55:56 +0000 Anonymous 21134@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>Hi everyone, new to the forum. I live in Texas, USA and we are trying to raise Hampshire/Yorkshire Pigs. Currently we have one of each and plan to breed them together. They live in the same pen, large, and share the same house. Will this arrangement be okay for breeding and farrowing??? Do i have to seperate??? They are just now breeding age. Thanks for any info. </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=864#post-18850 Sun, 01 Apr 2012 07:36:52 +0000 admin 18850@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>Hi Paa,<br /> Sorry to hear this. It could be lack of iron as piglets need to have iron when they are young. <a href="http://farmingfriends.com/iron-for-piglets/" rel="nofollow">http://farmingfriends.com/iron-for-piglets/</a><br /> You can inject them in the first week of being born if they are not outside with iron medication either into the neck or bottom. If they are outdoor pigs then they may be getting enough iron from the soil.<br /> Alternatively you can give them clumps of soil/grass to suffle on and root through if they are indoor pigs instead of injecting.<br /> The loose stools sounds like scours, a quick change in their diet can upset their stomaches and give them scours.<br /> When the piglets are young they should be getting the milk from the sow and then you can supplement the piglets milk from the sow with creep feed (pig pellet food) before they are weaned.<br /> I will look up the weight for selling as I can't remember off the top of my head as it's a few years since I kept pigs.<br /> Kind regards<br /> Sara @ farmingfriends </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=864#post-18848 Sat, 31 Mar 2012 16:30:53 +0000 Paa 18848@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>Hi All,<br /> I recently had a litter from 5 sows and I have lost 11 piglets leaving 26. I realized one piglet was having loose stools and injected it with penicillin and it recovered and gained appreciable weight. How do I prevent these deaths next time. Please can anybody advice me on the best way to feed them for a good growth rate and what weight should I expect before I can sell.<br /> Regards<br /> Paa </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=2870#post-18388 Wed, 07 Mar 2012 23:08:52 +0000 Tedfoldcottagefarm 18388@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>Hi<br /> As you have a CPH number you can apply for a herd number at your local AHVLA office. Explain the circumstances and give as much information as you can regarding the source. You will then be given a herd number for the pigs. Its a bit late for a movement licence as they are already on your land.That will be you all legally squared up with Defra. You will need a herd register to log the pigs on your land and a medicine book to record any treatments or wormers etc.And of course you cannot feed your pigs anything that has passed through a kitchen even fruit and veg. </p> <p>Pedigree registration is not a legal requirementbut if you wish to see if yours are pedigree the MW will have a tattoo in her ear plus an ear tag unless it has come out and you will have a hole. If she doesn't have either then give up on the idea as it will be impossible to check who she is. If she does you can look her up via the BPA. But the Kune Kune have their own society that deals with registration but again she will need identification in her ear to be able to work out who she is.</p> <p>Consider attending a pig keeping course there are a few around the country<br /> good luck<br /> Michaela<br /> Tedfold Cottage Farm </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=2936#post-18193 Sat, 25 Feb 2012 09:47:12 +0000 admin 18193@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>Hi Heather, welcome to the farmingfriends forum. I live in the UK and have kept saddlebacks.<br /> I googled oxford sandy and black pigs Canada and got this link, hope it's useful for you. <a href="http://www.rightpet.com/Livestock-poultryClubs/clubs-associations/oxford-sandy-and-black-pig/list-by-location" rel="nofollow">http://www.rightpet.com/Livestock-poultryClubs/clubs-associations/oxford-sandy-and-black-pig/list-by-location</a><br /> Kind regards<br /> Sara @ farmingfriends </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=2936#post-18182 Fri, 24 Feb 2012 21:53:05 +0000 heather s 18182@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>I just joined the forum and this is my first post - looking forward to learning lots! Firstly, does anyone know if there are Oxford Sandy and Black pigs in Canada or the US? Thanks for any info! </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=2870#post-17952 Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:05:56 +0000 admin 17952@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>Hi ellied,<br /> I used to keep pigs. Are you talking about a movement license or are you talking about registering the pigs to the BPA (British Pig Association) which you do if the pigs are pedigree. If the kune kune is a pedigree kune kune or from pedigree kune kune pigs then you could try to look up the parent kune kune pigs on the BPA website to find the owners address. If your kune kune pig was born on the previous owners property then their ear tag number may be similar to the parents number, that is if yours has been ear tagged.<br /> With regards to a movement license, the previous owners should have given you a movement license with their details on when you took the pig from their property or sent it onto to you later, they would need it for their records as well as you needing it for yours. Here is a link to a user guide of the movement licenses that may be useful <a href="http://www.britishpigs.org/eAML2%20Farm%20and%20Show%20User%20Guide%20Web.pdf" rel="nofollow">http://www.britishpigs.org/eAML2%20Farm%20and%20Show%20User%20Guide%20Web.pdf</a><br /> Hope you get this sorted.<br /> Kind regards<br /> Sara @ farmingfriends </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=2870#post-17951 Tue, 07 Feb 2012 15:33:49 +0000 m40mo 17951@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>Hello im sure Sara ( Admin ) will be along to offer some advice soon, in the meantime theres good information in this link<br /> <a href="http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=2854" rel="nofollow">http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=2854</a></p> <p>it seems the people you got the pigs from should have known better and helped you out, my thoughts are all you can do is approach your local animal officer at your council and explain your situation and hope they are helpful to you </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=2870#post-17950 Tue, 07 Feb 2012 13:43:21 +0000 ellied 17950@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>I have a CPH number but no licenses for my 2 pet pigs. The middle white my husband rescued from a farm after was told by the farmer he was going to knock it on the head, as just a little runt and going to die, then suddenly it was worth some money when my husband said he would take it! And the other is a Kune kune, which when I collected they didn't have the paperwork to hand and I have now lost there contact details to obtain the information I require, I know all very bad of me. But now how can I register them/get them a license? Help. </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=2854#post-17902 Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:21:59 +0000 admin 17902@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>Hi Laura,<br /> Glad the info was useful. If you do want any books please let me know before you order them and then I can give you 10% discount. <a href="http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=1388" rel="nofollow">http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=1388</a><br /> Can't wait to hear all about the piggies, they are a joy to keep.<br /> There is alot of info on my main site about pigs <a href="http://farmingfriends.com/category/pigs/" rel="nofollow">http://farmingfriends.com/category/pigs/</a> If you look at the site map page <a href="http://farmingfriends.com/site-map/" rel="nofollow">http://farmingfriends.com/site-map/</a> under pigs you will see th articles listed.<br /> Best Wishes<br /> Sara @ farmingfriends </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=2854#post-17896 Tue, 31 Jan 2012 12:04:09 +0000 pinkpoultry 17896@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>Aww thanks! Thats brilliant, to the point, great, I tried reading on the defra/direct.gov website and its a bit "waffley"<br /> I am going to buy some books from you, as we will be expanding the poultry as well, so Im looking into Quail and Guinea Fowl as well as my lovely ducks and chickens and turkeys!<br /> Thanks again :o) I shall ring the local health dept so everything is in order before we get the piggies. Oooo exciting! xxx </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=2854#post-17891 Tue, 31 Jan 2012 10:50:31 +0000 admin 17891@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>Hi Laura,<br /> So pleased to hear you have the chance to move to the cottage with more land, that's great news.<br /> Pig wise you will need to phone your local animal health department at the council up and get a holding number. All pig owners need a holding number. I think this is free but it was a few years ago that I got mine.<br /> When pigs move onto your land or off your land you will need a movement license - You will need a movement license form each time a pig leaves your premises or you bring a pig onto your premises.</p> <p>You can obtain these forms from your local animal health officer at your county hall offices. When completing the form upon movement of a pig or piglets from your premises, one copy is given to the person moving the pigs/piglets, one copy is kept by yourself and another copy is sent to your local animal health officer at county hall.</p> <p>You must keep a record of animal movement with the following information included:</p> <p> Your name and address.<br /> Date of movement.<br /> The Herd Number / Identification Number or Temporary Mark on Pigs.<br /> The number of pigs being moved.<br /> The Holding Number and Address From Which Pigs Have Moved From.<br /> The Holding Number and Address To Which Pigs Are Moved To.</p> <p>Hope this info is useful.</p> <p>I kept 2 saddlebacks (called Cagney and Lacy) and then raised piglets which we sold on as weaners to other smallholders or sold them for meat. The Saddleback is a lovely pig, great outdoors, very maternal, has a good nature. I just loved keeping pigs and hope to again in the future.</p> <p>Good luck with the move and the new venture into pigs, enjoy!<br /> Best Wishes<br /> Sara @ farmingfriends </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=2854#post-17889 Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:39:18 +0000 pinkpoultry 17889@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>Awww thanks Karen! I love the idea you bought him a book, maybe next birthday, buy him a pig arc, then the one after that, a bag of pig food. Then eventually! Some pigs! Haha. What a wonderful present, I may suggest a book on how to rear pigs for my birthday, xxx </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=2854#post-17885 Mon, 30 Jan 2012 18:31:14 +0000 dollydylo 17885@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>I have to butt in and say you are very lucky! We would love pigs, but hubby is away too much for us to even look into it properly (although I did buy him a 'how to rear pigs and what to look for' book for his Birthday!).</p> <p>One thing I do know is that yes, you have to register. No idea about anything else but just wanted to wish you all the luck you need! </p> http://farmingfriends.com/forums/topic.php?id=2854#post-17883 Mon, 30 Jan 2012 13:17:59 +0000 pinkpoultry 17883@http://farmingfriends.com/forums/ <p>Hello!<br /> Sara, this is one for you really. As some of you know, we are moving house. I managed to get some land from my father in law to build my chook empire, well now, the cottage on his farm is free, so we are going to move into there, with lots of land (yippiiiiii!!!!) So! We have discussed and we have bucket loads of space so we would ideally like to keep some pigs.<br /> I have never kept pigs before. I have read somewhere about licenses and things, we will be eating them ourselves and not selling a scrap to anyone else. (yum!) So do we need to register with Defra?<br /> What does this entail? Is it a form I fill in and send off and thats it?<br /> Do I pay each year?<br /> Does someone have to visit me to make sure they are happy piggies?<br /> Or do we not have to do it at all?<br /> We were thinking of getting 3 pigs, and fattening them up to eat. 1st one we kill will be a pork pig, 2nd a cutter and 3rd a bacon pig and I will make our own bacon!!<br /> Not thinking about breeding just yet. (Though once we have more experience I think breeding would be very interesting!)<br /> We were thinking of either pure Gloucester Old Spots, or a cross with something else. (We live in Gloucestershire so it would be rude not to have them)<br /> Thanks for your help!!! xx </p>