Emasculation
Well. Today I castrated some of my piglets, I think all the males. It was my first time - I want to say solo, but Tucker held them for me and his presence was both physically helpful and emotionally calming even though it was also his first time.
Pigs aren't like other domestic livestock, although apparently cats are similar. Most animals you can put a band around the narrow part of the scrotum and the testicles atrophy; pigs don't have a narrow part so you need to make incisions with a scalpel, then rip (not cut) the testicles out through the holes.
It is not my favorite, but we got it done.
Tomorrow needs to involve giving the piglets treats and some nice light gardening.
Pigs aren't like other domestic livestock, although apparently cats are similar. Most animals you can put a band around the narrow part of the scrotum and the testicles atrophy; pigs don't have a narrow part so you need to make incisions with a scalpel, then rip (not cut) the testicles out through the holes.
It is not my favorite, but we got it done.
Tomorrow needs to involve giving the piglets treats and some nice light gardening.