I would like some reassurance please from those of you who know more
Some customers bought some gilt weaners from me to breed from.
I'm pretty diligent, relatively intelligent and can transfer this into stockmanship - when I'm unsure I'm either on here, speaking to someone locally who knows more or on the phone to the vet. I have no problem making a fool of myself if it means getting good advice. Enough said.
After various disasters sourcing a boar, I lent them my baconer, just so they could get their gilts in-pig.
At first it appeared they were all infertile!? I found out that they hadn't been taking hogging records.
Now one gilt has had 3 piglets. When they found her one was dead, now, one-by-one all are dead. Which is an awful experience for them, I know.
I asked if they were stillborn, squashed or had hypothermia - apparantly not. I told them to phone a vet because if it was anything else it could make the gilt sick & she should be checked out. They have declined this advice.
I asked them about their farrowing kit & preperation - they have avoided this question.
The exchange as gone on for a little while in the course of it I have finally told them that:
1. Their gilt is way too fat ( her brothers for fattening had over two inches of back fat at slaughter) - I had warned them about this too!
2. That they should review their farrowing quarters.
3. That they should take records and make an effort to be there during farrowing as this is the only way to know what has happened.
Have I left anything out? Are there any other issues I should know about. 3 seems rather a small litter even for a first time gilt, is there anyother reason for this.
I just need a bit of reassurance, as they seem to be wanting to blame me in some way - though I know I've not done anything wrong, other than be too nice
Thanks folks. I'm out all day today, so I'll look forward to any replies when I get back