This afternoon we collected Elsie (our OSB Sow) who has now been running with a boar for 10 weeks.
Some may recollect that we purchased Elsie being In Pig but after waiting and waiting for her to farrow we realised that she was not and never was in pig in the first place.
So, she has now been away for 10 weeks and armed with The Doppler we collected her today. After loading Elsie in the cattle truck we tested her .... initially I heard nothing (remember this is the first time our Doppler has been used in anger).
We then tested a sow that is known to be in pig and due in about 7 days time. Straight away we heard the sound indicating that she is (as we knew) in pig. Our friend (whose farm we were at) also listened and heard the sound too. Having confirmed the correct location at which to 'test' we re-tested Elsie and although the sound was not as easy to locate and not as distinct, we both believe we heard the sound, a positive indication that she is in pig.
So, we have now brought Elsie home and although we will be re-testing her again in a week we are pretty confident about the result.
Had Elsie not been in pig very soon we would have been filling the freezer with sausage and bacon but we now hope that finally we will be hearing the sound of little trotters.
So ... as long as time and experience prove us right, the Doppler was worth while for us ... but its everyone to their own .....
Pete