Decision Time: Cull or don't cull (pregnancy)

Curtis B · #1 05/27/11, 10:22 AM

I need to decide real soon wether or not to cull. I am down to my gilt I kept over to breed and the boar I got. He has been with her long enough that she should be preg is both of them are capeable of breeding. I got a few pics for ya'll to help me figure if she is. Her milk bar does seem to be bigger and if I am reading highlands clit hood properly, she should be bred, but she doesn't appear to be to me. If she isn't bred, I am going to cut my losses and haul them to the butcher, and try to start again next year with new stock. I can't keep feeding them if one doesn't work, and I don't know who it is. Hope these pics show something.

Decision Time: Cull or don't cull (pregnancy) - Pigs

Decision Time: Cull or don't cull (pregnancy) - Pigs

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HeritagePigs · #2 05/27/11, 10:33 AM

Have her lay down for a belly rub. Place one hand just forward of her hip and press. Move it around to see if you can feel any piglets moving inside.

She looks pregnant to me.

Curtis B · #3 05/27/11, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HeritagePigs

Have her lay down for a belly rub. Place one hand just forward of her hip and press. Move it around to see if you can feel any piglets moving inside.

She looks pregnant to me.

I may have to get DW out there to feel, I have tried that. I just don't seem to have the touch, we just had a goat give birth, she was wider than tall, and I still couldn't feel the babies. I'm hopen your right, any idea how much more time to give her?

HardBall · #4 05/27/11, 06:41 PM

How far along should she be? From her side profile view it looks to me like she is bred and is no more than 2.5 months along. Never a sure thing until piglets start coming out.

HeritagePigs · #5 05/27/11, 07:05 PM

I would say she has about a month to go.

bruceki · #6 05/27/11, 10:28 PM

She looks pregnant to me. Not very far along, but moving in the right direction. I'd say another month or so.

As far as general condition goes, she's a little fat to my eye. I get the largest litters from sows that are skinny but gaining when they're bred; so I'll cut down on the ration 4 weeks before breeding, and then put them on full feed 1 week before breeding.

Bruce / ebeyfarm.blogspot.com

HeritagePigs · #7 05/27/11, 11:27 PM

Stop feeding your sow when you can express milk from her teats. Helps prevent constipation and empties the bowels before farrowing. Back on full feed after farrowing.

Mare Owner · #8 05/29/11, 07:48 PM

I'd vote that she is likely bred.

Hope she has a nice healthy litter for you!

Welshmom · #9 05/29/11, 10:55 PM

That's what my pregnant gilts look like.