The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: JulieS on August 09, 2011, 12:23:32 am
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My third litter in 2 weeks has arrived tonight. :) :) :) :)
A perfect, by the book, farrowing. A lovely gilt's first litter and she has been a star......12 piglets, all a good size and I've left them feeding happily.
Makes a pleasant change from the previous 2 litters in the last fortnight. The first was a gilt who farrowed 10 days early, she had 12 piglets too, but she hasn't been the best of Mum's up to date. We've lost 5 from squishing, and her not being the most attentive. Luckily she seems to have settled into motherhood now and the 7 remaining are doing really nicely.
The other litter was from a rare bloodline gilt that I bought in. Unfortunately when she arrived she was covered in lice, infested with worms and had pneumonia! And this from one of the country's so called best breeders. Anyway she farrowed but needed a lot of assistance, including a visit from the vet. She eventually had 5 piglets, 4 survived and fortunately Mum and piglets are doing well.
So after the last 2 litters this evening's easy farrowing came as a huge relief :) :) :)
Breeding is wonderful when it all goes according to plan - but it doesn't always go smoothly
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Congratulations Julie. Hope my gilt does the same in about 6 weeks time... :fingers x'ed:
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Wow Julie
Congratulations. Glad to hear all well in end.
I know you keep GOS and if theres a breeder selling duff/mangy stock ( i have a suspect in mind) as a GOS committee member i'd be interested to know so appropiate words can be had, hopefully it could just be a one off. If you want to divulge e-mail or phone me, details on the GOS website.
Regards
Mandy :pig:
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Many thanks Sally and Mandy.
I'll email you the details Mandy, hopefully it was just a one off. :)
I've put some pictures on Facebook. Ford Mill Farm - [email protected].
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in all probability that is why it is a rare bloodline (not much use) with the lice that is usually due to being kept inside and a dark environment :farmer:
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And this from one of the country's so called best breeders.
never believe what u see in adverts or websites. we have been bitten too, makes me very cross, especially if u make the effort for a long journey thinking u are getting the best u can find! grrr
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Julie
Know where your new pig came from and was shocked as was not my suspect!
Think this particular chap has taken on more than he can cope with, appears to have 23 sows & 7 boars at moment which is a helluva a lot of pigs if you're on your own. Will make enquiries
Mandy :pig:
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that is a major operation 460 pigglets a year :farmer: