Unbalanced barrow - need advice

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gobigorgohome
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Unbalanced barrow - need advice

Post by gobigorgohome » Tue Dec 20, 2016 1:26 pm

One of my daughter's barrows is very unbalance. He is very broad and muscular in his front shoulders and wide across his back, but he lacks power from behind. His butt is saggy looking. We have 30 days to our show - He weighs 188 and is eating 4.5 lbs 16% feed a day along with 1 lb. Champion drive. I've tried increasing his feed, but he won't eat any more. He's also not as deep as I'd like him to be. Should I add a fat supplement? Start slopping him? He's had some issues on his back legs, so I really don't think Paylean is an option for him.

SPRINGBRANCH
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Re: Unbalanced barrow - need advice

Post by SPRINGBRANCH » Tue Dec 20, 2016 7:13 pm

unfortunately leg issues aren't going to get better as he gets bigger. is he too tight for paylean you think?

gobigorgohome
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Re: Unbalanced barrow - need advice

Post by gobigorgohome » Wed Dec 21, 2016 12:22 am

He just shifts from one foot to the other while eating and sits a lot.

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Kathy
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Re: Unbalanced barrow - need advice

Post by Kathy » Wed Dec 21, 2016 9:24 am

Unfortunately, it sounds like the reason he is heavy in his shoulders and his butt muscles are underdeveloped is because he has a problem in his hips or other joints in his back legs. He is compensating by putting more of his weight forward unto his shoulders and his butt muscles have atrophied from lack of normal usage. Sorry...
Kathy Culver
Culver Show Pigs

gobigorgohome
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Re: Unbalanced barrow - need advice

Post by gobigorgohome » Wed Dec 21, 2016 10:16 am

We have two others that are doing well, and look good. Should we just throw in the towel on this one and start feeding for butcher, or keep plugging along since we are only 30 days out from the show? He seems to walk well, and enjoys getting out of the pen and walking.

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Re: Unbalanced barrow - need advice

Post by SPRINGBRANCH » Wed Dec 21, 2016 6:18 pm

if it were me, based on what you said, i would feed to butcher

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Piggy
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Re: Unbalanced barrow - need advice

Post by Piggy » Thu Dec 22, 2016 2:48 pm

Most of the time when I see a pig shifting from one leg to another, it is mycoplasma arthritis. Linco 300 is the drug of choice, but this can become chronic if not treated early. There is NO vaccine for this. Good luck,piggy

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