Hi! I’ve been keeping a few pigs now for a few years and been very lucky to have had nothing but good luck..... until now.
I’ve three Berkshire weaners (2 boars and a gilt) who are approaching 5 months old. They were destined to be taken to baconer weight then a one way trip to the ‘obvious’. When we picked them up the gilt had a strange tilt to her head and all three were a bit ‘fugly’ but all were healthy in all other ways. Fast forward three months and the twist in the snout has worsened as has the snuffles, one also now had occasional nose bleeds and a weepy eye. Got the vet out who confirmed the issue was non bacteriological atrophic rhinitis probably caused by poor genetics, nothing to worry about and no real veterinary intervention possible. Flick forward another month and now the two boars have distinctive septum deviation and both now have daily (if not more) nose bleeds.
The question is given the worsening condition do I take them to the planned slaughter weight (possibly another 5 months with maybe worsening condition) or do I take them early?? Will this condition cause issues with the abbatoir vet??
Any advice welcome!!
Deano