Author Topic: Help! Struggling to get weight on/No idea what I'm doing wrong. (Read 2527 times)

Berk · « **on:** May 06, 2016, 03:43:56 pm »

Right, we got 5 welsh weaner gilts (and an older GOS boar) in mid January and have gone through all the destructive learning experiences that they brought us.

But we're getting to a point where they don't seem to be growing much, and I'm throwing 37lbs of food at them a day.

They're all happy enough in themselves, I've had a local farmer suggest soaking their feed to help them digest it/turn it into pig, he also suggested worming them, but I've not got that far yet.

FWIW, they're approx 28 weeks old.

So...

Am I doing something wrong, what is it, and how do I make it better?

Oh yes, my babies!

fsmnutter · « **Reply #1 on:** May 06, 2016, 05:51:12 pm »

Could they be pregnant to the boar and hence are 'turning the food into pig) just many small ones?!

harmony · « **Reply #2 on:** May 06, 2016, 05:58:41 pm »

When you buy weaners one of the questions you should ask is "have they been wormed?". Between buying and sending off to slaughter (average around 24 weeks of age) I would have done them again twice.

Welsh pigs should be ready to go by at least 24 weeks of age.

I would worm asap. I would remove the boar because if they aren't already served you run the high risk of them getting served.

What is your plan with them?

Berk · « **Reply #3 on:** May 06, 2016, 06:29:59 pm »

Bugger, I'll worm them ASAP, and start on more housing this weekend.

Plan is the big 3 for the freezer, babies off the other two to maintain the "free" pork thing.

Marches Farmer · « **Reply #4 on:** May 06, 2016, 07:13:54 pm »

They could well be pregnant and, if they were 8 weeks old when you got them as weaners in mid January, are too young to farrow. You can get meds from your vet to stop a pregnancy but you need to do it soonest. The Welsh tends to leaner conformation but I think worming is an absolute must. I give any new pig on the holding a day or two to settle down then worm. I once got some OSB weaners that voided more large worms than I could count.

harmony · « **Reply #5 on:** May 06, 2016, 08:19:32 pm »

Quote from: Berk on May 06, 2016, 06:29:59 pm

Bugger, I'll worm them ASAP, and start on more housing this weekend.

Plan is the big 3 for the freezer, babies off the other two to maintain the "free" pork thing.

If you manage the "free" pork thing let us know!