The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: Laurasfarm on November 13, 2012, 02:36:48 pm
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Hi
Could someone take an expert look a my osb litter. We might keep one to replace an older sow but i don't think i have enough experience to pick the best standard. i'll email better/closer pics the files are too big to post
We had a lovely litter of 8, and there all doing great
Thanks
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Laura, if you want to email me the files I can resize them and post them for everyone to see :thumbsup:
My email is [email protected]
Karen :wave:
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best thing to do is gone on the OSB website and telephone the club secretary and she will be able to put you in touch with a breeder releatively local to you who can come and have a look in person. Photos will only give a one sided view, the pig need to be seen walking and from all angles and the underline checked.
HTH
mandy :pig:
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make sure you have pictures of their underlines as well.
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Hi Karen I have sent you an email with some pics of the piggies, thanks
I think there probably not good enough for a proper look. My husband told me he'd taken some good close up but they look like piglet shaped blurs to me!
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Fingers crossed this works :fc:
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:excited: Gorgeous piggies :excited:
Okay, from a breed standard point of view....
You're white one isn't registerable :( They have to be sandy to rust coloured.
They need 4 white feet, a white blaze on their face and a white tip to the tail - so rule out any that don't have that.
Next look at their ears, they've got to be lop or semi lop - can't stick up, rule out any that have erect ears.
Next markings - they're supposed to be blotchy rather than spotty - so rule out any without the right markings.
Now move onto underlines - have a look at their teats. If any aren't even, rule them out. Then get counting - you're looking for at least 12 even and functioning teats on gilts and 14 for boars.
If you've got any left at this point you're doing well :thumbsup:
Now you're looking for a pig (or pigs) that is healthy and showing good conformation - straight legs, level back, good deep body and has a 'presence' about it, compared to the others (you'll know what I mean when you look at them ;))
Here are the breed standards for OSB's - good luck !
Size- A Medium to Large Pig.
Body- Long and deep with broad hind quarters and rather finer fore quarters.
Head- Moderately long with a slightly dished muzzle. Short or very dished face a defect.
Ears- Medium, semi-lop to full lop; that is, carried horizontally or lower. Erect ears are unacceptable.
Tail- Good length set on high with a tassel of fine white hair.
Belly- Deep straight underline with at least 12 (preferably 14) sound and well placed teats.
For Boars they must have 14 teats 6 of which should be in front of the sheath.
Legs- Medium length, strong boned and well set on, giving a free and active gait.
Coat- Ground colour sandy, ranging from pale sandy to rust. Markings black in random blotches
rather than small spots, with sandy the predominant colour. Pale feet, blaze and tassel are
characteristic.
Additionally Boars should show maleness with well-developed testicles, free from lumps and
sponginess and carried high.
Karen :wave:
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It may be a typo on the previous post but boars need to have 14 teats evenly spaced. 6 of which should be in front of the sheath, 8 behind. When we say evenly spaced, think of a domino they need to be both vertically and horizontally even. This applies to gilts too. For a more comprehensive guide to assessing pigs suitable for registration and future breeding please refer to the Oxford, Sandy & Black Pig Society Breed Standard leaflet, available from the Oxford, Sandy & Black Pig Society. Colours not acceptable are black & white, all sandy, black flecks rather than random blotches, no tri colours. No white patches on the body. A rose (whirl of hair) on the back is also a fault. It may be prudent to let the litter grow on to see how they progress as they can change as they develop. Good Luck ! :)
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Whoops :innocent:
All changed now ;)