The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: Greenerlife on June 04, 2011, 02:20:41 pm

Title: Scratching - is it OK?
Post by: Greenerlife on June 04, 2011, 02:20:41 pm

It is so dry and hot in my field, I just went out and ran the hose to fill up a wallow which had dried out.  The boys had a lovely time, coming out from the shade of the awning I have put up for them (very exposed site) and rolling in the mud.  then they just started scratching like nobodys business!  It was really funny to watch, it looked like they were all dancing to rave music or something!  Rubbing against the pig arcs, the troughs, each other, the mud (sliding on their bottoms!), me!  ;D

then I thought - is this normal?  Or are they sunburnt, or got worms or....?  I hope they were just enjoying it!

Title: Re: Scratching - is it OK?
Post by: welshlass181 on June 04, 2011, 03:05:36 pm

Mine rub against anything they can find.  They've taken off some panels from the arks (which saved me taking them off for ventalation) they roll in the wallow and come out looking like bog monsters.

Title: Re: Scratching - is it OK?
Post by: Hilarysmum on June 05, 2011, 08:57:10 am

Mine love to scratch or to be scratched.

Title: Re: Scratching - is it OK?
Post by: Sylvia on June 05, 2011, 09:16:44 am

I've got a fencing stake cemented into the ground for scratching. It shines now where pigs have used it.