How do you tell new piglets apart?

Mare Owner · #1 08/12/08, 06:13 PM

No piglets yet, but a week or two and they'll be here. I expect them all to be solid black. This will be my first litter. Will ask DH (many years experience farrowing sows) later, but thought I'd ask you all too.

How do you tell the piglets apart? Is there a way to mark them that isn't permanent when they are born?

I'd like to weigh each and keep track of how they grow, but am afraid they'll all look the same to my eyes. Any tips?

BlueHeronFarm · #2 08/12/08, 07:50 PM

The first ones we bought had their ears notched.

It took me forever to realize that this was probably why. Different notch patterns for ID.

3kidsomy · #3 08/12/08, 09:48 PM

i have tried grease pens and spray paint, both were gone next day. Ear notching or maybe different colored collars, although i think they would kill each other with the collars in a couple weeks as awnry as they are. Mine all had differences, mine weren't all black though, but i could tell all my hampshires apart. Not much help was i? sorry...have fun with your new piggies!

BaronsMom · #4 08/12/08, 10:51 PM

We notched their ears. Recorded the notches on a chart - that's how we tracked them. We did it right after they were born when we clipped their needle teeth.

This might help - Proper Way to Notch Ears

http://animalscience.unl.edu/swine/nf93-113.htm

**highlands** · #5 08/14/08, 02:45 PM

Notching ears works well. Its an established system.

Each piglet looks unique once you know what to look for and get used to pigs. Ear shape, face shape, tail, markings, etc.

You can also use button tags in their ears and number them.

Tattoing is another option. There are hand held applicators.

I would suggest photographing the litters early on, say around the fifth day, as they're nursing with the sow.

Cheers

-Walter
Sugar Mountain Farm
in the mountains of Vermont
http://SugarMtnFarm.com/blog/
http://HollyGraphicArt.com/
http://NoNAIS.org

Mare Owner · #6 08/14/08, 05:36 PM

Thanks everyone. I do plan to notch their ears, but not until they are a week old, as the breeder we bought our hogs from recommended. We won't be clipping needle teeth or tails, and won't be castrating.

I'll try the grease pens, can't hurt, and take pics and weights as they're born. Maybe she'll only have two anyway, and make it easy for me to tell them apart by gender.