tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1842136564899097734.post6494020202487235520..comments2023-12-15T02:04:08.213-08:00Comments on meat: My pig husbandry practices right nowBruce Kinghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10995706761794063165noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1842136564899097734.post-29599953515231080022010-04-05T06:53:39.480-07:002010-04-05T06:53:39.480-07:00Hi Bruce, glad to see your numbers are coming up. ...Hi Bruce, glad to see your numbers are coming up. I wanted to pass on some stillborn info to you that I just read. Turns out that a large percentage of stillborns -that are not a result of bacteria -are caused by vitamin A deficiency. Maybe you already know this?<br /><br />Also to the 2nd comment on this post, I would say that it is way easier not to give iron shots, vaccines or castrate the piglets -indoors or out.<br /><br />The behaviors that attribute to good mothering are learned and genetic as well. Gilts that are born outdoors will be better mothers outdoors and a farmer can breed for the best outdoor farrowing genetics. It takes time and diligence to unravel the mess that has been created by industrial farming practices. -JimAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1842136564899097734.post-2984959787908065772010-04-04T21:37:28.038-07:002010-04-04T21:37:28.038-07:00Do you have any gilts or sows that have pouted, go...Do you have any gilts or sows that have pouted, gone off feed or just fought the crate for hours on end? That can be a problem.<br /><br />I would guess the sows stand on their teats and rip them. Their toenails are so sharp.<br /><br />Now you can see why farmers go to confinements - it is easier to take better care of the pigs when you do it indoors and use things like crates to control the females. It is a lot easier to give pigs iron shots, vaccines and to castrate them indoors than outdoors.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1842136564899097734.post-25252325634668182412010-04-04T20:58:08.862-07:002010-04-04T20:58:08.862-07:00Good observation! "The best fertilizer is th...Good observation! "The best fertilizer is the footsteps of the farmer." Wendel BerryDean Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00433661598382632011noreply@blogger.com