The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: NethertonSH on February 03, 2017, 05:46:31 pm
-
Hi All,
Having my first attempt at AI with my Tamworth sows. I noticed the redness and swelling yesterday morning and ordered the seman which arrived this afternoon. Went out to do the insemination but she wouldn't stand. She seemed to be standing better yesterday. Could I have missed her or could I be too early. She's still quite red and swollen.
Any advice appreciated.
-
If she is still red and swollen I would guess she is still on was yesterday the first day she came on?
-
Yes I'm pretty sure yesterday was the first day. They're pretty docile most of the time and stand anyway. She seemed a bit more agitated tonight, maybe because I inserted the catheter and she wasn't in the mood.
-
If it was only yesterday she came on heat you should be good, make a record of the date and start checking in the next few weeks
-
I didn't actually manage to get the seman in before she moved off. She still isn't having it tonight. I'll try and get her in a race in the morning and get some in but I think I'll have missed the boat.
Can see me getting a boar soon.
-
Is there anyone close to you that you could take your sow to?
-
No not for Tamworth's, I tried everywhere, the Scottish area coordinator for the Tamworth's breeders club couldn't find me one either.
There's a boar down south that is a quite a rare bloodline so I think I'll go down for that.
Thanks for the advice.
-
The semen has a shelf life at room temp of about 5 days so don't give up yet but she must be standing.
Are you AI'ing after weaning?
-
Thanks Harmony, fingers crossed.
They haven't farrowed before this will be their first time. I really should have had her farrowing sooner as she's about 17 months old now but I've just been so busy. My other sow is 13 months. This is our first time breeding so I've been doing a lot of reading and research.
-
We did our two gilts last week, first time all round. They sort of stood, but then I sort of crept up on the while they were eating. Unladylike I know but needs must. Being gilts I wasn't convinced that with no boar in sight or smell they knew how long they had stand, or at least they lost concentration. Anyway job done certainly it was all deposited in the right place, will know outcome before too long......
-
Well done you! I'm having no luck.
How long after going red and swollen did yours stand? I'm still not sure if I'm early or late.
-
Mine are Berkshires and someone tipped me to measure each day anus to tip of vulva ( strange hobby for a lady) as reddening isn't obvious. But consequently I ordered the day I noticed the first increase in size, (Thurs am) and for the first pig she was inseminated Saturday am, and again Sunday am and pm. She probably stood better for the Sunday doses. By Tuesday the vulva was back towards the size it had been Wednesday pm. The second gilt was following about 48 hours behind so some increase in size Saturday she was done Sunday pm (probably a bit early but I was conscious of the shelf life issue) Monday pm and Tuesday pm. By Late Wednesday she was reducing back to normal size.
Are you doing this single handed? I did manage some by myself but easier with help.
-
Well if you were too early before you won't be tomorrow so find a friend and go for it. Someone told me gilts may not stand as well especially without a boar in sight so a quiet corner, and a bucket of feed was our solution.
-
I had my wife to help but I probably spent too long leaning on her (the sow) back and trying to decide if she was actually going to stand long enough or not. I think your method of going in quiet putting down a bucket and getting on with is best.
It was Thursday morning I first noticed the change so hopefully things will go better tomorrow.
-
Hope all goes well. :pig:
-
How did it go? I am quietly confident mine both took. I have invented a 'heatometer' calibrated on 'not on heat' and 'on heat' as vulva measurements on a bit of cardboard. My favourite pig guru didn't think it was going to do well in Dragons den as a limited market. People have made fortunes on less I said....
-
I did manage some by myself but easier with help.
Blimey! I felt bad enough having to call our neighbour for a stuck lamb this morning. Goodness only knows what he'd have said if it had been "could you hold the other end of this tape measure for me please?" :roflanim:
-
How did it go? I am quietly confident mine both took. I have invented a 'heatometer' calibrated on 'not on heat' and 'on heat' as vulva measurements on a bit of cardboard. My favourite pig guru didn't think it was going to do well in Dragons den as a limited market. People have made fortunes on less I said....
Good question! I think only time will tell. I managed two inseminations in one of my gilts, then she was was definitely out of heat when the next gilt was right on so I put the other bottle in her. So who knows. At least now I'm more confident in the timings of things. I definitely wasn't too late when I first thought I was. I'd say it was at least three going onto four days before they were ready from when I first noticed the change. I'll need to get myself a heatometer!
On the bright side the breed rep for the BPA is going to lend me his boar which I'll have ready just in case they do come back into heat at the end of the month. With their increasing age and the time of year for selling weaners I don't want to miss them next time.
-
Here you are, can't call me ungenerous! Line anus up with top of card, measure to lower tip of vulva. Mark one is 'normal'. Mark two below is 'on heat'. Left side is Bertha, right side is Bea. For added security the bottom of the card to the lowest mark on each side in 'no heat' vulva width. Brilliant huh? You saw it here first!!
-
Excellent! I'm off to call my pal Duncan, I'm sure he'll love it. "She's out!" (say that in your head with Duncan's accent).