What do pigs need?

[Sussexbythesea]

My friend has recently moved to a yard where there is a solitary female pig. It belongs to the landowner who pays it little or no attention whatsoever. Apparently it escaped slaughter because it ran off.

It lives in a pen which is knee deep in mud - there is no dry standing area. The shelter she has is minimal a two sided thing about to collapse. One of the liveries feeds her a couple of mugs of nuts once a day (think they might be horse nuts) and deducts this from the rent she pays. Other people randomly come and feed it e.g. the local pub sends it's veggy scraps, but it may go for days without extras if no-one brings anything. She has no fresh bedding - the livery offered to put in straw bedding on a regular basis if the owner bought some but so far she hasn't bothered.

I feel deeply sorry for it - it has no companionship, is randomly fed and has little shelter from the elements and is knee deep in mud as soon as she steps out of the "shelter". She loves being scratched and is very sweet.

I don't think the RSPCA would be interested because as other people are trying their best to look after it it appears otherwise healthy although I bet it hasn't ever been wormed.

Am I being too "fluffy bunny" or is there anything that I can do to get it a better life?

 

[JLD]

ideally a pig companion, food ( pig nuts veg etc ), water and a clean dry bed. thay can cope in mud but dont like it. ours get vaccinated for erysipelas and wormed. but then they also get daily cuddles a tummy rub and fresh wood chip down when their paddock gets muddy . as you can proabaly tell they are not going to be sausages. she will enjoy the human contact but would be better with another pig. RSPCA may be interested if there is no shelter esp as can get very sunburnt in summer if pink or if losing condition.

 

[Llewellyn]

The RSPCA may be interested. My old livery yard had two pigs who were stabled next to my horse at night on massive straw bed and fed loads and everyday let out into their pen which was very muddy but had water and shelter. But somone reported it to the RSPCA (not realising they went in at night as the stables faced away from the road) and we had the inspector out to come check up on them. (A very rude inspector I might add )
You can but try.

 

[pixie]

http://www.defra.gov.uk/foodfarm/farmanimal/movements/pigs/documents/new_owner_guide.pdf

please note that its illegal to feed pigs *any* kitchen/catering waste/scraps.

 

[Echo Bravo]

No you are not being a fluffy bunny. Pigs are sociable animals, if you can dig out the dung and sell it on as good for veggie patch, she needs pig nuts, veggies and fruit she will enjoy, but the roof needs doing and 2 squares of straw every couple of days so she can lie down in comfort. It will be stressing this poor girl out as they are very clean animals and they do love a good chat, and great for telling all your troubles too.

 

[Echo Bravo]

Pixie Only if it comes from the kitchen, I use to buy fruit and veg for my pigs.And apples straight from tree, not kitchen waste.

 

[Sussexbythesea]

She is a real sweetie - I take her apples when I visit my friend and she now recognises me as soon as I turn up and squeals and runs towards me.

I always give her a good scratch and she goes off into a trance with little grunts. Pigs are supposed to be so intelligent - it must be awful for them not to have any other interaction with pigs and little other stimulation.

I will check out the Defra site and see if that gives me any ideas on approach.

 

[Llewellyn]

It does have links at the bottom but not a very useful I don't think for pig neglect- not an exciting document. I just read it...why?

 

[Echo Bravo]

They love a back scratcher, and the grunts are mean she's in seventh heavan.

 

[Sussexbythesea]

Pixie - I thought that was the case re: catering waste becasue of the Animal By-products Regulations but the poor thing won't get any veg if that avenue is closed down. It makes me wonder if its registered with Defra and if its a hassle that might be one way of convincing them to give it away - they have had offers before from proper pig-keepers / childrens zoo etc. but they are the sort of people that want something even though they couldn't give a rats ar*e about it.

 

[jrp204]

Because it is an agricultural animal you need to speak to your local animal health officer who should be based at your county council. They will make a visit to assess the animals welfare and carry more weight than the rspca.

 

[*hic*]

Just contact DEFRA, it should be registered with them. If it is they should come out and inspect regularly. They are a right PITA, for example when they came one time to check out my sheep and pigs - we had about thirteen sheep and four pigs, they also wanted to see worming and vaccination records for my CATS! As well as the horses' passports, vacc records, reasons why two aren't vacc'd, insurance and MOT for lorry etc.

Just get DEFRA to come round and have a look, they have to know where ALL pigs are all of the time in order to keep control in the event of a further outbreak of F&M and they are responsible for welfare.

 

[jrp204]

As long as the pig had a movement form when it was bought in it will be of no interest until it is moved to either slaughter or another site. We have never had defra do a routine visit to check our pigs although we have had a random blood sampling on the sheep. Your local animal health officer should be the first port of call.

 

[*hic*]

Lucky you, they come round every few years to us - perhaps it's different in different areas.

 

[jodie3]

Don't you need a (sorry, can't remember proper name!) farm holding number for any livestock? I know my friend had to have one for her pet goat. Also, doesn't the pig need to have ear tags?

They are lovely animals and very companionable and as others have said also very clean animals too.

Poor thing having to be in mud all the time