My son is trying out 4-H swine this year. So far its not been a great experience. We chose the wrong "breeder" who led us to believe our piggies would be ready for pick up on time. Instead his pigs haven't even birthed yet and for 4-H they should have been weaned and in our possession over week ago. I spent 9days going insane calling and searching for pigs everywhere or my son would not have a 4-H project (a poultry project would had had to be started early Feb).
Leader came through with 2 purebred landrace from a commercial farm but they had a long day of travel. They arrived late sunday night we had pen all ready for them and turned on heat lamp when we noticed them shivery. They are in the barn with 5 goats and 2 alpacas so it stays fairly warm at night. We were told they came from a much colder place. Our outside temp today is 2C so not terribly warm.
Monday I was out most the day watching and checking on them. They were both eating drinking going to the bathroom etc but girl was digging into hay and spent more time laying down than the boy. I thought she was just a little off after the long trip so added more dry hay for her to snuggle into.
Tues I was at kids school most of the day so just checked chores and looked in on all the critters before leaving. The piggies were snuggled up in the hay but both looked up to see what I was up to. That night after school and swimming hubby went out to do chores and check on piggies. He came back telling me pig was dying. I thought he was exaggerating but was horrified to see her shivering shaking and just no muscle strength left at all. It was horrible. I called leader and who sent other swine leader and 2 swine seniors to help us. they arrived immediately but we'd already started powerade by syringe. I wrapped her in a clean warm blanket and worried. Everyone thought she was in shock. I kept up with fluids until midnight and then hubby was up at 3:30am doing the same but told me she was worse. I went out before my son and she was definitely worse. Other leader insisted I not give up so I gave oxytetracycline (i had power on hand for chickens) and didn't have much else. Other leader came and gave penicillin but she was just too far gone and I felt horrible traumatizing an already suffering creature when I just couldn't see it helping. I kept up fluids but when I went into town to pick up kids she passed. I feel horrible that she suffered.
So boy piggy has new big stuffed frog for him to snuggle with and he loves it. We got some balls and stuff for him to fling and play with. He is doing great. We have pig starter feed and they get some fresh warm goat milk on the feed morning and night, there is of course fresh clean water at all times.
In storeys guide to piggys they suggest adding jello powder to the water to get them to drink. They seemed to be drinking just fine and peeing etc. I added grape jello to water and he went crazy for it though LOL Coming from a large commercial farm I'm told he would have had nothing but grain. The next morning we had very wet puddles instead of poo so I panicked because I'm watching the other pig dying on me and I didn't see that coming. He was happy busy and eating drinking fine so I think it was just sugar and the fact he liked it so much he went a bit crazy throwing off his system. He is fine now.
I have 2 younger pigs arriving tonight (after another long road trip) and this time I do not want any pigs dying of shock or anything else. Any suggestions? You won't hurt my feelings I am looking for brutal honest help
Leader came through with 2 purebred landrace from a commercial farm but they had a long day of travel. They arrived late sunday night we had pen all ready for them and turned on heat lamp when we noticed them shivery. They are in the barn with 5 goats and 2 alpacas so it stays fairly warm at night. We were told they came from a much colder place. Our outside temp today is 2C so not terribly warm.
Monday I was out most the day watching and checking on them. They were both eating drinking going to the bathroom etc but girl was digging into hay and spent more time laying down than the boy. I thought she was just a little off after the long trip so added more dry hay for her to snuggle into.
Tues I was at kids school most of the day so just checked chores and looked in on all the critters before leaving. The piggies were snuggled up in the hay but both looked up to see what I was up to. That night after school and swimming hubby went out to do chores and check on piggies. He came back telling me pig was dying. I thought he was exaggerating but was horrified to see her shivering shaking and just no muscle strength left at all. It was horrible. I called leader and who sent other swine leader and 2 swine seniors to help us. they arrived immediately but we'd already started powerade by syringe. I wrapped her in a clean warm blanket and worried. Everyone thought she was in shock. I kept up with fluids until midnight and then hubby was up at 3:30am doing the same but told me she was worse. I went out before my son and she was definitely worse. Other leader insisted I not give up so I gave oxytetracycline (i had power on hand for chickens) and didn't have much else. Other leader came and gave penicillin but she was just too far gone and I felt horrible traumatizing an already suffering creature when I just couldn't see it helping. I kept up fluids but when I went into town to pick up kids she passed. I feel horrible that she suffered.
So boy piggy has new big stuffed frog for him to snuggle with and he loves it. We got some balls and stuff for him to fling and play with. He is doing great. We have pig starter feed and they get some fresh warm goat milk on the feed morning and night, there is of course fresh clean water at all times.
In storeys guide to piggys they suggest adding jello powder to the water to get them to drink. They seemed to be drinking just fine and peeing etc. I added grape jello to water and he went crazy for it though LOL Coming from a large commercial farm I'm told he would have had nothing but grain. The next morning we had very wet puddles instead of poo so I panicked because I'm watching the other pig dying on me and I didn't see that coming. He was happy busy and eating drinking fine so I think it was just sugar and the fact he liked it so much he went a bit crazy throwing off his system. He is fine now.
I have 2 younger pigs arriving tonight (after another long road trip) and this time I do not want any pigs dying of shock or anything else. Any suggestions? You won't hurt my feelings I am looking for brutal honest help
