The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: Cjnewton82 on June 01, 2013, 09:25:10 pm
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but a quick over view i have 7pigs all the same ages days apart in age 3LB 2SB 1GOS !OSB four of the pigs are really kicking on in size (1LB !GOS 1SB and 1OSB)
I have now noticed that one of my pigs a 3.5moth old saddle back has i limp on his front left foot(he is also half the size of his brother) from watching over the last day or so one of my other pigs a GOS of the same age but much bigger is mounting him alot could that be the course?? if so should i move him and a couple of the other smaller pigs?? plus how soon should i leave the limb before contact a vet??
thaank you
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Have you checked to see if he has any cuts or swelling to the foot?
Does he get his share of the food at feeding time.
You could separate him with another to keep him company until his limp is better, to see if it helps. You could also give the vets a call for some advice, if they have seen your pigs they may be willing to prescribe an analgesic/anti inflammatory. I have got Finadyne paste that works well.
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Ditto Eastling, he's most likely being bullied and this is what's causing it.
I'd try to seperate him and check him over fully, wash and look at his foot - it could be a stone between his toes or a cut to the soft pad. Also feel his leg for swelling or heat - a sure sign of inflamation/infection.
If he's twisted or staved it, it should mend itself in 24-48 hours (providing he's in isolation away from the bully) but depending on what it is that's caused it, you might need an anti-inflammitory or an antibiotic (in the case of an infected cut)
Definately take him and one other (for company) away from the rest of the group til you get him better :thumbsup:
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I'm querying this one other for company thing. When we had a pig that needed isolating for whatever reason we did just that, though they could always see and hear other pigs, but did not share a pen with any.
However on returning to the herd, there would always be that half day of challenges where everyone has to find their place back in the pecking order. I can see though if you took two away, it would mean less attention is all on one pig.
So is it really one other for company, or is it one other to make re-introduction back into the herd easier on the "weaker" pig?
I agree with the above two re the foot though.
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If you have smalller and larger pigs I'd split into a minimum of two groups with at least two in a group.
The reason the larger pigs will want more food and will hold back the smalller ones