The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: sausagesandcash on February 03, 2010, 01:26:59 am
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Is there any point sitting in the arc for a half an hour or so each day....yes I do have a lot of time on my hands ;D to get the gilts used to me being in there with them.....or am I really taking things to the extreme.
I should point out that the gilts are used to having me around them,and I have been very tactile with them since they were weaners as I find that it makes injecting them and measuring them so much easier. I have done it once or twice already. The quietest gilt is a bit jumpy but the other two lie down and get their bellies rubbed.
Morgan
P.S if the men in white coats arrive in the morning, i'm blaming you guys!!
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Sounds like the men in white coats will be making a trip down here to Devon to pick me up too! :)
Personally I think the more time you can spend with them the better. In my very limited experience you can never tell just how they will react/cope when they are farrowing and IMHO I think the better they know you the calmer they will be.
You are right the more time you spend with them the easier it is to do the 'jobs' you need to do.
I think it is a mixture of them knowing you and of course you knowing their personalities and being able the second guess how they will behave.
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I think sitting in with the gilts/sows is the reason the men in white coats havent taken me away. Although occasional use of a chiropracter when getting out of the arcs would be nice.
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I dont think the men in white coats are about at the minute its far to cold.They are fair weather merchants :farmer:
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Morgan
Just be aware that Tams can sometimes be a little strange around men close to and for a few days post farrowing. The wife can always get in with them during and after farrowing but i can't always. The other thing to remember is Tams are fiercely protective mums[or can be] much more so than many of the other traditional breeds.They will guard their babies ;even though they know you very well be very wary.. People say never trust a boar but an upset new Tam mum is something hide from FAST.Having said all that they are usually fine and are brilliant mums and it's a great sight to see a sow with a lively litter running along behind her or perched all over her asleep. By the way we spend a fair bit of time in and around the arcs visiting to.
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I spent time every day with my two all black girls, they loved to be brushed and played with and I so enjoyed their company. Can't wait until we get another couple. ;D
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To add to Gavo's post, tamworths are extremely fast, try to avoid any situation which requires olympic speed hurdling.
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What are we talking about here? Biting?
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The answer I think is YIS Morgan. They are the most lovable gentle things by and large but can turn very aggressive if she thinks you are hurting baby They can turn and chop like greased lightening Tams are well known for it.Another Wizard true tale The stock manager entered one of the yards at Limber the yard has 7ft high fencing He went to look at a hiefer that had just calved and Valiant didn't approve.I said to him I would have liked to see you clear that gate Martin did you touch it on the way over? Daren't print his reply.Valiant is a most docile bull.Martin knows better though. ;D :farmer: