Hi There. Am looking for help/advice. Last fall I brought two sows into the barn (from pasture) and within two weeks one of them started to go lame. The other did not. Three weeks ago I put them back out. The one that went lame has not come out of it, but seems a little better. And now the other one has started to limp. Both cases are the rear legs. I have raised a lot of pigs and never had any problems like this. Although this is the first time I've kept any beyond fall ( they moved to freezerville ). Any thoughts. Thank You Steve E.

-- Steven Erving (ervings@gwi.net), March 11, 2000

Answers

I had this happen with a young sow on pasture , she never made it to the barn .Shes now a freezer pig.Sorry but I'm not sure what caused it.I was wondering if it could be genetic(inbreeding?)

-- Patty Gamble (fodfarms@slic.com), March 11, 2000.

We kept our first pigs too long (pets) and one of them went lame. They were a more fine-boned breed. The vet said she was just too big (heavy). Ours was its front leg and it would get a little better, then get worse again. They were probably over 300 lbs. if I remember right. Maybe that's it??

-- Jean (schiszik@tbcnet.com), March 12, 2000.

I have had similar problems with hogs - all sizes - especially over 200 pounds. One possibility is arthritis due to inflammation or injury - i run several sizes together. Ive had three large sows (600+ lbs) whose feet broke down with the body weight when my feed was deficient. In sows this could be a calcium or phosphorous related deficiency. brooding and lactating sows need a lot of both. I custom mix my own feed to make sure diet is sufficient in both. Found good information at University of Oklahoma that gives the composition of feeds. With a spreadsheet you can make a formula for a balanced ration.(can email this to you).

Limping hogs generally end up in my freezer too.

-- clark v blackstone (clark43787@hotmail.com), March 04, 2001.