The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: AWP on March 13, 2010, 12:13:49 pm

Title: Advice required re: piglet
Post by: AWP on March 13, 2010, 12:13:49 pm
Hi my piglets are now 2 weeks old and all seem fit and healthy, 1 of the boars seems to have a large testical (on the left) he's in no dicomfort and eating well, he seems to be going to the toilet fine, just wondered if anything wrong, all advice most welcomed :pig:
Title: Re: Advice required re: piglet
Post by: gavo on March 13, 2010, 12:18:36 pm
Quite possibly a hernia;from the description.
Title: Re: Advice required re: piglet
Post by: dixie on March 13, 2010, 12:53:47 pm
Or has he only one? so it looks large as the other is missing?
Title: Re: Advice required re: piglet
Post by: pedigree porker on March 13, 2010, 09:22:35 pm
we agree with gavo, the description does indicate a hernia
Title: Re: Advice required re: piglet
Post by: Helencus on March 13, 2010, 09:25:50 pm
Interesting. So can you do anything about a hernia in a pig?
Title: Re: Advice required re: piglet
Post by: AWP on March 14, 2010, 10:47:41 am
Quote from "keeping pigs by Tony York" Hernias: if a piglet has a hernia it can be operated on but is rarely necessary and is not something i would recommend. if the pig is intended for fattening, is not in any discomfort, is eating well and showing no other signs of illness it is best left. The meat will not be affected and although a little unsightly it will not affect the pig.you may find it comes and goes, whilst in some cases it will disappear altogether before the piglet is even weaned. The trauma of an operation can cause the pig more stress than the hernis itself. A hernia is simply a rupture that may be caused by strain or being trodden on by another pig. In some cases, a hernia may be a congenital abnormality. if there are a number of piglets from the same litter born with hernia's or that develop hernias as young weaners then you should seriously consider changing or culling the boar.
Title: Re: Advice required re: piglet
Post by: gavo on March 14, 2010, 11:54:37 am
Yes; if piglet is otherwise well and active and destined for meat [it should be with a hernia] leave well alone.
Title: Re: Advice required re: piglet
Post by: langdon on March 15, 2010, 07:27:02 pm
we have got 3 british saddleback pigs our first of many we hope,
we also got that book tony york 'keeping pigs' what a book,
everything explained so well and so simple. ;) :pig:
langdon
Title: Re: Advice required re: piglet
Post by: Helencus on March 16, 2010, 08:05:47 am
Who is the author for that 1 langdon? I have 2 British saddleback gilts lovely girls.
Title: Re: Advice required re: piglet
Post by: JulieS on March 16, 2010, 11:23:27 am
The Tony York book is fantastic, and so is 'A Guide to Traditional Pig Keeping' by Carol Harris. 

I can recommend both.
Title: Re: Advice required re: piglet
Post by: Helencus on March 16, 2010, 06:45:53 pm
I have the carol Harris book and I agree very good. Will get the other too. Cheers
Title: Re: Advice required re: piglet
Post by: langdon on March 16, 2010, 08:07:27 pm
tony york is the author its in the 'teach yourself' catorgory.
its got a farmer standing in his wellies all you see is his wellies, if that helps!
again its a great book ;) :pig:
Title: Re: Advice required re: piglet
Post by: Hilarysmum on March 17, 2010, 07:25:38 am
The other "bible" for pig keepers tends to be Starting with Pigs by Tony York.
Title: Re: Advice required re: piglet
Post by: Helencus on March 17, 2010, 08:04:35 am
I have that one too. I agree very easy to follow a real help for those starting out.
Title: Re: Advice required re: piglet
Post by: Daisys Mum on March 17, 2010, 09:31:56 am

Have just ordered the Tony York book from Amazon as I lent out my Andy Case one never to be seen again.
Title: Re: Advice required re: piglet
Post by: langdon on March 17, 2010, 12:40:44 pm
just been  searching the whole house every where for my book and cannot
find it anywhere >:( >:( just when you need something you cant find it!
Title: Re: Advice required re: piglet
Post by: Wizard on March 17, 2010, 01:14:25 pm
Now Langdon I'm sorry to tell you You have beat us all with that one My Mother would say its where you had it last Very informative intit eh!
Title: Re: Advice required re: piglet
Post by: Wizard on March 17, 2010, 01:39:37 pm
Tell you a story Virtually all my books fore edges have Stolen from G6YAT and its most embarrassing when you say have you got my copy of ******* No mate I haven't I made the mistake of a loop hole I should have said Can I have my copy of ******* back please putting the onus on him leading him to believe he has it ^ weeks or so later I called unannounced and the on the desk was The Antenna's for all occasions Oh dear ??? ??? :farmer:
Title: Re: Advice required re: piglet
Post by: Stanley on March 18, 2010, 08:25:02 am
I have a litter of Kune Kune's and have noticed one of the boys looks like he has a hernia, it has been getting bigger the last few days.  I have felt around and it doesn't feel like a testicle like the other boys and i'm pretty sure it is a hernia.  He appears to be in no pain at all and eats and runs around as much if not more than the others.  What would be the advice for a pig destined as a pet??

Title: Re: Advice required re: piglet
Post by: gavo on March 18, 2010, 11:57:08 am
My advice DON'T or spend a load of money getting it repaired.
Title: Re: Advice required re: piglet
Post by: Stanley on March 18, 2010, 12:25:16 pm
What dont have it operated on??  Will it be ok to leave?
Title: Re: Advice required re: piglet
Post by: gavo on March 18, 2010, 12:53:56 pm
No sorry wasn't very clear don't keep it as a pet[i wouldn't] but if you are ; you can get it operated on .Is it a pet for yourself or for someone else?Iwouldn't sell a pig with a hernia to anyone i would keep it myself and put in the freezer.Sorry if that seems harsh.
Title: Re: Advice required re: piglet
Post by: Stanley on March 18, 2010, 01:29:25 pm
No not harsh at all its reality i'm afraid.  Makes it very difficult as can't keep it on its own but will have to get round it somehow!

Thanks for your advice

Stanley