The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: sausagesandcash on April 19, 2009, 08:58:00 pm

Title: Dry Skin.
Post by: sausagesandcash on April 19, 2009, 08:58:00 pm
My pigs (Tamworths) seem to have rather dry skin. If you rub them hard it's goes like dandruff. I had read somewhere (probably here) to put a little olive oil in their feed. I tried it to no avail. Any suggestions? Could it be mites (I can't see any)?

Morgan
Title: Re: Dry Skin.
Post by: BillyBerridge on April 19, 2009, 09:48:16 pm
It's most likely season related, our pigs are the same at the moment. Pig-oil will cure it quite quickley. You can source it from most ag-mechants. In the mean time do they have access to a wallow?
Title: Re: Dry Skin.
Post by: sausagesandcash on April 19, 2009, 09:51:36 pm
Billy, they have one area that is all wet muck (level), and another of pasture that they have just been given access to. Should I dig a small groove into the ground and fill it with water? I thought they looked after the wallow themselves.

Morgan
Title: Re: Dry Skin.
Post by: BillyBerridge on April 19, 2009, 10:33:19 pm
Its worth a go if they arnt using the wet muck to wallow? We have to fill our pigs wallows up but then our ground dries up very quickley, hence the need to add water!

I wouldnt worry to much about dry skin, pig oil should solve it though.



Title: Re: Dry Skin.
Post by: sausagesandcash on April 20, 2009, 12:23:43 am
Apparently, pig oil is a light mineral oil like baby oil, but without the smell. Why not use baby oil instead. I ask as we have loads around the house for all the small bots!
Title: Re: Dry Skin.
Post by: Hilarysmum on April 20, 2009, 07:18:57 am
Dont apply the oil on warm sunny days. 
Title: Re: Dry Skin.
Post by: sausagesandcash on April 20, 2009, 08:10:18 am
Indeed, I think  i'd rather wait for the crackling until the end of the process, rather than mid way through.
Title: Re: Dry Skin.
Post by: Hilarysmum on April 20, 2009, 12:13:31 pm
Yes its very hard to get the fork in when it keeps running off!!!!!! :pig: :pig: :pig:
Title: Re: Dry Skin.
Post by: gavo on April 20, 2009, 01:32:39 pm
Morgan,

We often use "human" moisturisers/creams to prepare our ones for showing. Pig oil is finer and gets everywhere.

Cheers

Gavin
Title: Re: Dry Skin.
Post by: sausagesandcash on April 20, 2009, 03:53:34 pm

Oh dear God, I can just imagine the look on my wifes face when she see's me leaving the house with her E45 cream, assorted pots of moisturisers and baby oil. I'll either be heading for the psychiatric hospital or the pig arc with a duvet!

Morgan
Title: Re: Dry Skin.
Post by: Hilarysmum on April 20, 2009, 04:06:33 pm
Go for the pig arc, the company is much nicer.
Title: Re: Dry Skin.
Post by: kp on April 20, 2009, 08:51:08 pm
pig oil works a treat, my pigs are 13 weeks old now and as a first timer I was also concerned about dry skin, it was very similar to cradle cap on babies heads, I've been oiling them once a week for the last four weeks and they look much healthier now, I've resisted adding the salt and pepper for now.
Karen
Title: Re: Dry Skin.
Post by: sausagesandcash on April 20, 2009, 11:10:29 pm
My wife is of the opinion that I treat the pigs as well as the kids. I disagree...I have never read the pigs stories at bed time! If I start giving them oil massages and back rubs, she's sure to feel a little neglected. Now if someone were to suggest the theraputic value to pigs of candles and a bottle of Saint Emilion.....well that might just be the straw that broke the camels back  ;D
Title: Re: Dry Skin.
Post by: doganjo on April 20, 2009, 11:10:34 pm
Bet they love it too!  My dogs love a good rub
Title: Re: Dry Skin.
Post by: Hilarysmum on April 21, 2009, 06:51:23 am
Carole's house pig loves a glass of wine.  Not sure she would like the candles, too waxy.
Title: Re: Dry Skin.
Post by: carl on April 21, 2009, 08:53:37 am
sorry to interrupt the romance, but can you use sun tan lotion on pigs? My girls are out in the glorious sunshine and i am worried they might burn.
Title: Re: Dry Skin.
Post by: Hilarysmum on April 21, 2009, 10:27:19 am
Hi yes suntan is quite ok for pigs.  Can also use aftersun when they do over do the sunbathing.  Are you anticipating a good summer?
Title: Re: Dry Skin.
Post by: carl on April 21, 2009, 10:46:50 am
no, it's just unusually sunny this week. the weee piggies are a little red and dry. I thaught you could use it. I just needed assurance, also have loads of lotion left over from last years wet summer.
Title: Re: Dry Skin.
Post by: sausagesandcash on April 22, 2009, 03:35:33 pm
A good summer......there are dolphins in Dublin bay, which is so rare that it's meant to indicate a scorcher...either that or they're just a tad lost!

Morgan
Title: Re: Dry Skin.
Post by: Hilarysmum on April 22, 2009, 06:37:19 pm
Well I am praying for the former, could do with a scorcher.