The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: Weaner on May 08, 2012, 06:32:37 pm
-
My 2.5 year old Sandy and Black is currently feeding her second litter which are 2 weeks old.
She has always been a fussy eater but she is only eating half of her ration, her temperature is normal, her poo is normal size but there is not a lot of it and it is very dry.
She has always had the same food.
Could it be constipation and if so could you suggest a remedy ?
Thanks for you help.
Andy
-
How much is she drinking ?
They drink a LOT when nursing, so I'd try and up her intake a bit.
You can add fruit juice to her water, or give juicy fruits like melon etc to help.
Failing all that, some veggie oil on her dry food will lubricate things a bit, but not more than quarter to half a cup per feed or she'll be suffering for the opposite reason ;)
HTH
Karen
-
If she's not a big eater then try giving her 3 smaller feeds a day, is she straining to go? Or are your just going by firmer poo? Offer fruit and veg, if she is really constipated then caster oil can be given, you can put it in a bread and butter sandwich, usually works a treat.
-
Agree with all prior advice, getting her to drink is the big thing especially now as she's coming to the time when the piglets are making their highest demands on her milk. Could try making one of her feeds wet(sloppy) with milk, all my sows get sloppy first two feeds after farrowing to make sure they do their business pretty pronto! We have resorted to bran & molasses to get things moving and you could also try a handful of grass cuttings (so long as not sprayed or anything nasty in them) or spring greens.
HTH
mandy :pig:
-
We add cod liver oil to their food if they are a little bound up, can get it from ag suppliers as they use it for horses