The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: HappyHippy on July 02, 2012, 11:34:47 am

Title: Notching - no where near as bad as I expected !
Post by: HappyHippy on July 02, 2012, 11:34:47 am

I'm fresh from notching my first litter of pedigree Large Blacks, I'd been dreading it like you'd never imagine ! Barely slept last night from the thought of it  :-[
 
But, you know what - they barely made a sound.
Except one little drama queen gilt - but there were more squeals when we picked her up than anything else  ;)
We've never had to do it with the Kunekunes and all our other litters have been cross breed pigs so I managed to avoid it for a long time  :innocent:
But I knew this day would come and having managed it without bloodshed, tears and upset piglets I'm just a wee bit proud of myself  ;)
 
Incidentally we have got a stunning looking little gilt in this litter - 16 teats, great confirmation and very pretty too. She is the aforementioned drama queen  ::)  so it looks like she's shaping up to be the perfect show pig (DIVA ;) ) already.
 
Just thought I'd post incase anyone else was apprehensive about notching (I definately was) - I'm a complete wimp and if I can do it, so can you  :thumbsup:
Have a happy Monday folks  :wave:

Title: Re: Notching - no where near as bad as I expected !
Post by: Bionic on July 02, 2012, 11:40:43 am

Thanks Karen, I am going down the slapmarking route for mine when they are on their one way journey but its good to know that the notching wasn't too bad.
Sally

Title: Re: Notching - no where near as bad as I expected !
Post by: Berkshire Boy on July 02, 2012, 11:47:18 am

Sally, notching is only for breeding/show quality stock so you don't need to worry for meat pigs. Slap mark is definitely the best for the abattoir. :thumbsup:

Title: Re: Notching - no where near as bad as I expected !
Post by: Rosemary on July 02, 2012, 11:47:41 am

Well done you  :thumbsup: I know how much you were dreading it and I'm so glad it went OK. You're a star.

I dreamed about killing chickens on Saturday night  ;)

Title: Re: Notching - no where near as bad as I expected !
Post by: Blinkers on July 02, 2012, 12:09:24 pm

Well done you  :thumbsup:   I hate doing it (for the Berkshires) but its a necessary requirement for the black pigs, and as you say, they barely notice it.  :wave:

Title: Re: Notching - no where near as bad as I expected !
Post by: SallyintNorth on July 02, 2012, 01:38:13 pm

:applause: :applause:  Well done Karen  :thumbsup:  And thanks for letting us know about the reality of it. :-*