Unbalanced barrow - need advice
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- Showpig Specialist
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Unbalanced barrow - need advice
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.
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- Showpig Specialist
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Re: Unbalanced barrow - need advice
unfortunately leg issues aren't going to get better as he gets bigger. is he too tight for paylean you think?
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- Showpig Specialist
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Re: Unbalanced barrow - need advice
He just shifts from one foot to the other while eating and sits a lot.
Re: Unbalanced barrow - need advice
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
Culver Show Pigs
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- Showpig Specialist
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Re: Unbalanced barrow - need advice
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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- Showpig Specialist
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Re: Unbalanced barrow - need advice
if it were me, based on what you said, i would feed to butcher
Re: Unbalanced barrow - need advice
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