Author Topic: Single Piglet (Read 9928 times)

JulieS · « **on:** May 15, 2011, 01:26:12 pm »

I've just heard from a friend that one of their sow's has just had her second litter.....and there is only one piglet.

Anyone else ever had a single?

Was just wondering how unusual this is?

Her first litter was 7.

robert waddell · « **Reply #1 on:** May 15, 2011, 01:40:16 pm »

was it natural service or AI was she fat or thin when served how old how long from the last litter what age was the boar
all are relevant

JulieS · « **Reply #2 on:** May 15, 2011, 01:51:02 pm »

Natural service. Good condition. 2 years old. Last litter weaned end of December. Not sure of age of boar, but recent litters have all been 11.

Hillhead · « **Reply #3 on:** May 15, 2011, 08:23:42 pm »

We had a gilt that only had one piglet and the weaner was a real mummys girl.. She has recently farrowed again and has had 12.

JulieS · « **Reply #4 on:** May 16, 2011, 05:32:24 am »

Many thanks Hillhead. Good to know it's probably just a 'glitch'.

lill · « **Reply #5 on:** May 16, 2011, 08:50:52 am »

this does happen more often than people think, it does depend on several factors ie, age of the sow, what time of year did she farrow, how was the pig looking, had she anything that needed treatment from a vet. Your friends sow will probably have a large litter next time round.

JulieS · « **Reply #6 on:** May 16, 2011, 12:05:06 pm »

Many thanks everyone, it does appear to happen more often than I had thought.

We'll look forward to seeing how many she has next time.

czechmate · « **Reply #7 on:** May 18, 2011, 07:56:34 am »

This thread just got me wondering...
Is a single piglet still called a Litter?

Stevie G · « **Reply #8 on:** May 19, 2011, 02:35:04 pm »

Quote from: JulieS on May 15, 2011, 01:26:12 pm

I've just heard from a friend that one of their sow's has just had her second litter.....and there is only one piglet.

Anyone else ever had a single?

Was just wondering how unusual this is?

Her first litter was 7.

Goldern rule of pigging, 2 strikes and their out!

Its called the Law of averages, and she is breaking the Law, so its "good bye".

TheCaptain · « **Reply #9 on:** May 19, 2011, 10:46:30 pm »

Quote from: Stevie G on May 19, 2011, 02:35:04 pm

Quote from: JulieS on May 15, 2011, 01:26:12 pm
I've just heard from a friend that one of their sow's has just had her second litter.....and there is only one piglet.

Anyone else ever had a single?

Was just wondering how unusual this is?

Her first litter was 7.

Goldern rule of pigging, 2 strikes and their out!

Its called the Law of averages, and she is breaking the Law, so its "good bye".

Jesus, mate, is your answer to everything 'cull'

?

lill · « **Reply #10 on:** May 20, 2011, 04:57:33 pm »

some animals in life deserve second chances, I think so anyway

Stevie G · « **Reply #11 on:** May 21, 2011, 11:26:21 am »

So what are you running Mr Captain "sensible", a business or a charity?

?

Yes, if a sow if performing poorly, then my answer is to cull it!

And then you get the Vet out, instead of dealing with it yourself.

My oh my oh my!

It is a wonder that you make any money atall.

Sentiment is one thing, but foolishness is another.

TheCaptain · « **Reply #12 on:** May 21, 2011, 07:28:41 pm »

I do alright out of my smallholding, thanks very much for asking.

My post was meant in jest, having looked at your last two posts where your answer was to cull; you've obviously culled your sense of humour at some point.

I think that if a sow chucks a single after a first litter of seven that culling isn't the answer. Surely in the long run it is better to give that sow another run at the boar and see what it chucks on the third litter - far cheaper than knacker man out to cull then buying in a weaner to grow to carrying age or buying in a replacement sow?

Where did I say about getting a vet out to cull something instead of doing something myself?

ellisr · « **Reply #13 on:** May 21, 2011, 07:47:56 pm »

Quote from: Stevie G on May 21, 2011, 11:26:21 am

So what are you running Mr Captain "sensible", a business or a charity??

Yes, if a sow if performing poorly, then my answer is to cull it!

And then you get the Vet out, instead of dealing with it yourself.

My oh my oh my!

It is a wonder that you make any money atall.

Sentiment is one thing, but foolishness is another.

Ifind this a bit harsh and insensitive you wouldn't cull a human for loosing a baby, this pig has produced a healthy piglet and next time will probably have a full litter again it is actually called nature and if you work with it you can reap the bounty.

If your animals are just figures to you then you have the same outlook as a commercial farmer and have lost the roots of a smallholder what is the point in that we have plenty of commercial farmers out there pumping out tasteless produce for the supermarket.