We got a phone call this morning from a RW owner who has had several hogs go down with brittle bones and spontaneous bone fractures. Unfortunately, these animals had to be destroyed. Brian and I spent some time on the net and looking through our hog books for clues/answers. This is what we found out:
According to Dirk van Loon in "Small Scale Pig Raising":
Vitamin D, Calcium and phosphorus deficiencies manifest in hogs as: " poor growth, rough coat, lameness, and relative enlargement of joins, head, shoulders and hips as the long bones fail to grow. Bones become soft, may fracture easily, and feet may knuckle under."
In adult hogs lack of adequate D, Calcium and phosphorus can result in fractures and posterior paralysis (this is caused by a cracked pelvis.) Both a decifiency in these nutrients and an improper balance among these nutrients may result in small litters and still born piglets.
Bones are 90% calcium and phosphorus.
According to van Loon:
The "recommended ratio fo phosphorus to calcium is 1:1 -1:1.5 by wt."
The author goes on the to point out: "Cereal grains supply phosphorus but are seriously lacking in calcium. Many of the leafy forage crops provide calcium- the legumes and lambs-quarters being good plant sources of this mineral."
Calcium/phosphorus deficiencies occur "frequently when attempts are mad to raise pigs on all-grain diets, mill "sweepings" or most types of garbage, whey or other rations that aren't supplemented with minerals"
The balance of these nutrients is just as important as availability. Plenty of Calcium and phosphorus but not enough Vit D and the pig can't make the best use of the calcium and phosphorus. So get your piggies outdoors in the sunshine! Alternativs sources of Vit D are: sun cured hay and fish oils.
Also, please check out the Merck Manual online at:
http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index ... /90805.htm
http://www.thepigsite.com/pighealth/art ... 1/lameness
If you have any experience with this or have information that could help new hog owners, please, share your experience.
Thanks
Dot & Brian Jordan
Kiss My Grass Farm