by George Collins » Sat Oct 12, 2013 4:36 pm
WEANED!
So, Linda threw 12 piglets and weaned 10 on her first litter. From what I gather, this means she is an exceptional momma.
So far, the pigs don't seem to stressed by the lack of their meternal influence. According to Kelly Klobber in Storey's Guide to Raising Pigs, the proper way to wean is to move the sow and leave the pigs where they've always been. Being a newb, I followed his advice and put Linda into a hog-panel pen well away from her pigs.
Also, according to Mr. Klobber, Linda is expected to come into estrus in about a week from now. Since that would produce a litter in early February, I won't her isolated in a VERY strong pen to delay her next farrowing until at least March and preferably April. Since Lou is theoretically due in mid-November, holding Linda off until January will put both sows back in sync for that preferred April-ish farrowing.
"Solve world hunger, tell no one." "The, the, the . . . The Grinch!"
"If you can't beat them, bite them."