Post by ShayChristie on Dec 10, 2013 20:28:44 GMT -5
We have two pigs we are raising for meat. They were a bit slow to grow, so their date has been set for Jan 3rd. Well, yesterday, I noticed the male(cut) limping when he came out of their hut. He limped around for a few minutes and then did a few running laps. I figured he was just cold/stiff and wamring up the muscles.
This morning, the boys fed them and when I looked out, Spot was back in the shelter laying down. The boys said he came out and was eating when they fed, but it was about 10 minutes later when I looked and Dot was eating, but Spot was laying down. Benjamin just came in to tell me that he thinks something is wrong with Spot. He is limping again and he ate a bit very disinterestedly and then went back to laying down in the hut.
Okay, what do I look for besides the obvious limp and lack of appetite?
The two pigs are fed twice a day, morning and evening. I have a 5 gallon pail that we stick about 3 gallons of pig pellets in, pour in a gallon or so of milk/water and then add whatever scraps from plates or the fridge on top of that. I'll say 75% of the time, that 5-gallon pail is full at feeding time. The rest of the time, they have the 4 gallons of pellets soaked in liquid with a few scrapings, but not much. The have a three sided hut for shelter and there is 3-4 bales of hay in it. As they eat/spread/trample it down, we throw another bale in, usually once-twice a week we add another bale. I hope this is enough. It is cold here and getting colder. I had hoped this arrangement would keep them until slaughter.
Any ideas what could be wrong with Spot? FWIW, Dot is her normal, alpha pig self. She rules the pen and is bigger than Spot because she is the food-dominant one. She is becoming more aggressive about the food lately and I had just talked with the boys yesterday about feeding them in two bowls several feet apart so he has a chance before she knocks him around.
Is there a chance she injured him? Or is this more likely illness? At the risk of sounding stupid, would my cow vet be the one to call? Mitra, do you know if Dr. Patterson cares for pigs?
Thanks for any help!
This morning, the boys fed them and when I looked out, Spot was back in the shelter laying down. The boys said he came out and was eating when they fed, but it was about 10 minutes later when I looked and Dot was eating, but Spot was laying down. Benjamin just came in to tell me that he thinks something is wrong with Spot. He is limping again and he ate a bit very disinterestedly and then went back to laying down in the hut.
Okay, what do I look for besides the obvious limp and lack of appetite?
The two pigs are fed twice a day, morning and evening. I have a 5 gallon pail that we stick about 3 gallons of pig pellets in, pour in a gallon or so of milk/water and then add whatever scraps from plates or the fridge on top of that. I'll say 75% of the time, that 5-gallon pail is full at feeding time. The rest of the time, they have the 4 gallons of pellets soaked in liquid with a few scrapings, but not much. The have a three sided hut for shelter and there is 3-4 bales of hay in it. As they eat/spread/trample it down, we throw another bale in, usually once-twice a week we add another bale. I hope this is enough. It is cold here and getting colder. I had hoped this arrangement would keep them until slaughter.
Any ideas what could be wrong with Spot? FWIW, Dot is her normal, alpha pig self. She rules the pen and is bigger than Spot because she is the food-dominant one. She is becoming more aggressive about the food lately and I had just talked with the boys yesterday about feeding them in two bowls several feet apart so he has a chance before she knocks him around.
Is there a chance she injured him? Or is this more likely illness? At the risk of sounding stupid, would my cow vet be the one to call? Mitra, do you know if Dr. Patterson cares for pigs?
Thanks for any help!