The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: Malc on August 05, 2008, 04:05:00 pm
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We have a small problem. Our two sows lived together for a while before coming over to Orkney together, staying together in the same pen before being split up to farrow in May. When the piglets were weaned Kim, the four-year-old, went out to the paddock without a backward glance. Molly (not quite two and smaller) kicked up a fuss, broke out (through electric and barbed wire fence) and we had to put her back in the shed in a pen next to the piglets.
We thought she just wasn't ready to let go, but when we tried again today (three weeks later) it became clear she was scared of Kim. No amount of persuasion or bribery would get her into the paddock.
We are putting up new paddocks in another field for the piglets, so Molly could go there, but it would be better if she was with Kim. We are keeping two of the gilts for breeding so neither sow would be lonely.
Ideas?
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Hilary lives on her own by choice, although she is a benign dictator the sows tolerate her. You could leave one little one with each sow? Although Kim might actually prefer to be on her own.
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We tried putting the two gilts in with Molly, but she got quite aggressive. However, a few other clues suggest she's coming into season which explains a lot. Sooner we get her off to the boar the better.
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Hi
I have a saddleback who will not tolerate any company at all, she is now very happy on her own but able to see the others over the fence.
Carole