The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: Berk on May 06, 2016, 03:43:56 pm
-
Right, we got 5 welsh weaner gilts (and an older GOS boar) in mid January and have gone through all the destructive learning experiences that they brought us.
But we're getting to a point where they don't seem to be growing much, and I'm throwing 37lbs of food at them a day.
They're all happy enough in themselves, I've had a local farmer suggest soaking their feed to help them digest it/turn it into pig, he also suggested worming them, but I've not got that far yet.
FWIW, they're approx 28 weeks old.
So...
Am I doing something wrong, what is it, and how do I make it better?
Oh yes, my babies!
(http://i.imgur.com/BDSyFZI.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/QJ79XDe.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/6PT2svI.jpg)
-
Could they be pregnant to the boar and hence are 'turning the food into pig) just many small ones?!
-
When you buy weaners one of the questions you should ask is "have they been wormed?". Between buying and sending off to slaughter (average around 24 weeks of age) I would have done them again twice.
Welsh pigs should be ready to go by at least 24 weeks of age.
I would worm asap. I would remove the boar because if they aren't already served you run the high risk of them getting served.
What is your plan with them?
-
Bugger, I'll worm them ASAP, and start on more housing this weekend. :raining:
Plan is the big 3 for the freezer, babies off the other two to maintain the "free" pork thing.
-
They could well be pregnant and, if they were 8 weeks old when you got them as weaners in mid January, are too young to farrow. You can get meds from your vet to stop a pregnancy but you need to do it soonest. The Welsh tends to leaner conformation but I think worming is an absolute must. I give any new pig on the holding a day or two to settle down then worm. I once got some OSB weaners that voided more large worms than I could count.
-
Bugger, I'll worm them ASAP, and start on more housing this weekend. :raining:
Plan is the big 3 for the freezer, babies off the other two to maintain the "free" pork thing.
If you manage the "free" pork thing let us know! :innocent:
-
If you manage the "free" pork thing let us know! :innocent:
Well, once it's paid for and in the freezer, it's free then, right? ;D
This sort of delusional maths keeps me sane.