The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: Maesgwyn on February 03, 2012, 09:33:04 am

Title: winter care of feet
Post by: Maesgwyn on February 03, 2012, 09:33:04 am
No not my feet but the pigs. the ground has gone from really wet to frozen and there is now a very uneven surface for the pigs to walk on, I have put down straw just outside their arks and moved the feed and water to the edge of the straw but they are very reluctant to walk on the mud, understandably.
Title: Re: winter care of feet
Post by: Berkshire Boy on February 03, 2012, 10:13:02 am
I think that is about all you can do really. Some of mine seem quite happy to come out on the rough ground but the boars are the worst - right softies ::) .I have to serve them breakfast and supper in bed and bring them water over.
I've sold one of my boars and he's being picked up on Sunday, I've got 2 days to persuade him out of the ark and down to the stable that should be fun :D
Title: Re: winter care of feet
Post by: Blinkers on February 03, 2012, 11:27:33 am
Ours all hobble out just far enough to get to their food and water and then 'retire' back to their arks for the rest of the day........apart from 4 porkers who decided their fence was a little unsteady and squeezed under it into next doors field and then appeared in the lane at feeding time  :o :o :o.  They are now in one of the pig stables  ::).
Title: Re: winter care of feet
Post by: HappyHippy on February 03, 2012, 12:22:31 pm
Yup, mine are the same - out of the 11 that are outside, only 1 was actually out  ::)
It's a gorgeous day here too (bit cold, but sunny) they just don't like the uneven ground  :-\
Title: Re: winter care of feet
Post by: FiB on February 03, 2012, 12:35:52 pm
Wow - id just come on to ask about that!!!  Mine are tippy toeing around like arthritic old dears - but they are all out sunbathing in the afternoon. 
Title: Re: winter care of feet
Post by: Sylvia on February 03, 2012, 01:58:46 pm
Mine are happy to come out and walk about but they are like me and go warily ;D
Title: Re: winter care of feet
Post by: robert waddell on February 03, 2012, 02:53:23 pm
pigs on concrete will walk funny when the go on soil and vice versa  frozen mud or ice they do not like as they break through the surface and can hurt there trotters or slip snow without ice they just love it  :farmer:
Title: Re: winter care of feet
Post by: Eastling on February 04, 2012, 10:13:37 am
Mine ate the same, walking carefully just to do what is neccesary then back to bed. We are expecting a fair bit of snow tonight so will see what they make of it.