[Sudanpan]

We've been gathering information regarding pig keeping etc like crazy over the last 6 months or so. We have the land, fencing, feed suppliers, water, arks and have been in touch with potential weaner suppliers. We also went on a very informative and fun 1 day pig keeping course which was really interesting and great to have the opportunity to see happy GOS, Oxford Sandy and Black, Middle white and Saddleback sows at all sizes - with a huge saddleback boar and an equally impressive GOS boar. There were also 4 litters of piglets varying in ages from 2 days to 4 weeks - so lots to see and contemplate.

To start with we are looking to go the weaner route for some fabulous meat, but have been enthused enough to also think about maybe planning now for potential breeding of a couple of sows in the next year or so. While we are playing with land setup and fencing positioning etc we were wondering about the logistics regarding the following:
2 sows - stagger the pregnancies so that there is a decent gap between the births BUT with only 2 sows, when coming to the week before farrowing it would be necessary to segregate the sows, and then obviously keep the sow with piglets separate from the other pig until a period after birth.
Will the non farrowing sow be miserable by herself while the other sow is busy farrowing and suckling?
When would it be ok to reintroduce the farrowed sow back in with the other sow? Is there any danger to the piglets from the other sow?

Sorry if these queries are very basic  I did do a trawl through the Pigs forum to see if my questions had already been answered.....

Many thanks

Tish

[gavo]

Hello,

All depends on the nature of the girls. Our Tamworths are very protective of their young and won't let any other pigs near them - hence we take them to a farrowing paddock. Our Oxfords are quite the opposite with the mums totally non-fussed with other pigs in with them and their litter.
To be safe I'd keep the girls separate to begin with and play it by ear, although make sure that the girl without youngsters is at least within sight and smell of the other girl. We keep the youngsters with the mum until weaning (with us it's 8 weeks) at which stage they are sold on or moved to a paddock for fattening up. If the little ones are kept with the mum they'll be weaned by the mum herself which is no problem in itself but does delay the subsequent re-introduction to a boar (or AI).

Cheers

Gavin

[Sudanpan]

Gavin

Many thanks for those comments - we very much look forward to putting the advice into practice 

Tish