Rotters with big trotters
THIS week I had a call to see some pigs that needed their feet trimming – and it would not be easy.
Four pigs, 16 feet, 32 trotters, that was quite a lot of trotters.
The problem I had was that pigs do not like their feet being trimmed, neither do they like staying still.
These were large pigs and two were a breed called Mangalitzas.
These peculiar porcines are covered in woolly hair and from a distance look like large sheep.
They are also large and strong and have opinions of their own.
Relaxing
All four needed a sedative injection to allow me to work.
After catching them in a corner and administering the sedative, we sat back to waited for the pigs to go to sleep.
It was a relaxing time for the farmers, the vet and the pigs.
“Look at our new arrival,” said Robert, pointing to the next pen. It was a beautiful two-day-old donkey.
He didn’t need any veterinary care, but I jumped at the chance to make acquaintance with the newborn.
The pigs could sleep a bit longer…
Julian took part in Help The Animals At Christmas. To donate: www.channel5.com/ helptheanimals before January 31.
Mangalitza breed, pig