Pigs Acting Strange

botebum · #1 11/30/07, 08:32 AM

We have two gilts, one about 70lbs and the other about 25lbs. Because of their size difference we keep them in separate pens. Normally, when we go out to feed them, they get excited and run around and jump up on their hind legs with their front legs on the top rail. Their food doesn't last very long, usually landing on their head as they won't back off long enough to get it in past them. Normally.
As of yesterday morning they've both changed. They still come over to greet but the running around stopped. They don't jump up on the rail. They haven't finished their food. They seem kind of sullen, for lack of a better word.
Their pens are about 50' apart and though they can hear each other, they can't see each other. We haven't changed their diet recently, other than they've gotten a bit more shell corn than usual. The weather hasn't changed to any extent in the past few days. Do we back off the corn? I can't think of anything else that's different.

Doug

LittleRedHen · #2 11/30/07, 08:45 AM

They might just be in a different mood. Maybe someone tipped them off that they are going to be dinner?? My 225 lb gilt has her days where she is hyper and days when she isn't. She goes through phases as to what amuses her too.

mundamanu · #3 11/30/07, 09:36 AM

If you are feeding them the same amount as always [I just noticed that you've bumped their corn, but not much -- it would take a lot to make a difference], the fact that are no longer finishing it, combined with their apathetic behavior would indicate that there is definitely something wrong.

I know that you said that you haven't changed their diet, but have you recently started a new bag of feed or anything like that? If so, check the feed to make sure it isn't bad. Do you drink water from the same source as they do? If not, are you sure their source is ok? Are they still drinking?

Even though they are in pens separated by a good distance, it is possible that one of them came down with a virus or something and you carried it to the other one.

botebum · #4 11/30/07, 10:01 AM

Water is the same source as ours and their buckets get dumped and rinsed and refilled at least twice a day(feeding time). New feed was bought last Saturday so I suppose that could be it. We never actually go in their pens but a disease transfer certainly can't be counted out.
All the symptoms were described to me by my wife. I'm laid up with nine stitches in my foot and haven't been out of the house since Sunday(don't ask

). She is their regular caretaker so it's not that they miss me or anything. I just haven't been out to see for myself. I'm feeling a bit better and might hobble out in a bit to see for myself. I hope they're just moody. I've got enough medical bills lying around right now with this foot and the case of RMSF earlier this year.

Doug

**highlands** · #5 12/01/07, 05:23 AM

Are they in heat? Look at their vulva's. Are they puffy and red? If this is making them moody it will pass in about three days.

By the way, I would have kept them together. The size difference is not significant and pigs like being together, snuggling at night, competitive feeding, etc. Mixing them now will likely result in some tussling but then they should be okay. I would wait until the heat passes.

Cheers

-Walter
Sugar Mountain Farm
in the mountains of Vermont
http://SugarMtnFarm.com/blog/
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botebum · #6 12/01/07, 06:12 AM

This morning they acted fine. Jumping up and running around.
I highly doubt that a 20-25lb gilt is in heat and the two coming into heat at the exact same time is doubtful. As for putting them together, the larger pen is only 12'x12'. The larger pig would certainly have trampled the smaller especially since the smaller had a dislocated hip and only recently has completely come round. In the next couple weeks we will introduce the two, under close supervision, until we are certain they can coexist. I am not in the habit of taking chances with a potential freezer full of pork.

Doug

**highlands** · #7 12/01/07, 12:03 PM

You're right, that is a small space. Is it possible to join the two pens so they have the whole space to share?

botebum · #8 12/01/07, 02:32 PM

I'm going to train them to a hot wire and then let them out during the day and put them up at night.

Doug

gimpy · #9 12/01/07, 07:07 PM

at 50 feet apart theya ren't going to be far enough to isolate them from airborne illness with regard to each other. From a contact standpoint they sound like they are already isolated. Why separate them? Maybe they just figured out here's another pig. Pigs are social animals and do better if there's another pig to sleep with.