The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: princesspiggy on June 25, 2012, 04:25:42 pm
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im just wondering what is the average loss of piglets per litter?
and for what reasons?
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We normally lose a couple in a litter of Kunekunes (bearing in mind last litter was 12 :o and some were REALLY tiny) and Kunekune mum's aren't particularly careful ::) Or maybe it's just mine ;)
Of the three litters of Large Blacks we had last week 8, 8 and 7 - now we have 7, 7 and 7. Think squashing is my main cause of losses (even with creep rails and heat lamps :-\ )
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Hi there
Here are our year stats so far
Jan Berkshire 11 lost 4 (the biggest loss so far) we think due to extreme cold weather :( :(
Feb Berkshire 12 - 12 weaned and sold
May Tamworth 8 - 8 looking good
June Berkshire 7 - 7 ditto sold
June GOS 6 - 6 - really chunky now but mum now has uterus infection which is being treated
Jun GOS 15 - 12 farrowed outside 2 still born and 1 squashed - Mum is having a ball and will return to work asap
We have 4 more sows to farrow September - 2 experienced sows and 2 gilts. Will bring the gilts in as it is their first time.
We were really knocked back with the 4 losses in January and although we had a heat lamp - it was not enough for the extreme temp that France was having. Will do better next time.
Always learning.....
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Only got one sow (Charlotte) she averages 8 in a litter (I am SOOO jealous of all of you "the sow just had 1025 piglets " people) but we've never lost a piglet. I don't know if thats down to breed (Essex Pig) or temperament (she's a very gentle girl) but I'm sadly sure its not down to my management. I have used a farrowing bar sometimes and sometimes not, but I've never used a heatlamp to attract them.
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We have a heatlamp in a box in the house, but it is about 500m away from the farrowing ark and therefore also, the mothers. I will only use it in extremis this time round - say if we have to remove the piglets for their absolute safety, or if the sow had to be put down.
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Losses from litters this year:
January: 11 - all weaned, 7 - all weaned, 6 - 4 weaned (1 stillborn, 1 squished). Heatlamps used for 3 weeks, then 1 week nightime only.
March: 5 - 4 weaned (died post castration), 10 - 9 weaned (squished). Heatlamps used for 2 weeks.
I do not use creep areas at all & only use heatlamps during cold weather. But I do bring my girls indoors for farrowing. I use stable mats in the sleeping areas, with straw on top. i have used shavings & straw, but prefer straw, as it keeps the contact surface with the piglets cleaner, even with mucking-out twice a day (& it makes better manure for the veg beds ;) )
:love: :pig: :love:
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35 piglets how many are you left with beewyched :farmer:
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Only ever lost one with my kunekunes! they seem to be very dainty and careful! and I have never used heatlamps or
a piglet area
It was a tiny boar who just dropped dead aged 3 days after being sat upon at day one
Oh and I have taken one away to hand rear due to it having a skew face and mum picking it up and popping it in the water trough in front of me! Her face straightened as she got older and she now lives on the ilse of white with two brothers and a sister!
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35 piglets how many are you left with beewyched :farmer:
Robert, you are a nosey one ::) ... ;D
I'm keeping the 2 (prize-winners ;) ) that you saw at the show & am running-on a castrate (for meat) & 2 gilts (which I can't decide which to keep & which to sausage).
:love: :pig: :love:
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first litter - 6-4, she farrowed in the woods as she went awol a week before and 2 were found in the nest.
8-8, tho rescued one from getting squashed as we were at the farrowing.
10-8. one died as it came out, was still warm but dont think it had moved or breathed. the other died from bloodloss from the umbilical - beginner error as id sprayed them all but thought the blood was coming form the 2 of the gilt piglets swollen vulvas, and he got weak and died.
6-5 - one got squashed.
10-10 - but 2 werent breathing and took a while to resusitate but all survived.
:wave: :wave: :wave: :wave: :wave: