Age

Lorcan

Lorcan

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Is there a definitive way of telling a pig's age, especially when they're older? I could tell if a pig's in that 4-7m age group I think, but not beyond that. I was registering the goblins with a vet today - hadn't done it before because til last week there wasn't a need, and Covid meant I wasn't going to arrange just a basic checkup, especially with them being skinnies and not driving.

But they asked how old they were, and they weren't iffy about my saying I've no idea. But is there any way of knowing, seeing as I don't know their past? All I could say for definite is they're at least 18m-2y.
 
I don’t think there’s a specific way to tell but I think their nails could help. Ella was 3 in April and her nails are thicker and curlier than Esme who was 2 in July. Elizabeth came to me as an age unknown other than being a young sow. She celebrated her 3rd Gotcha day with me in July and I adopted her in July 2019 so I go with the stance that she was around 6 months to a year when I adopted her so is now roughly 3-4. Her nails are now quite thick and curly. I think the older they get, the thicker and curlier the nails but I could be wrong.

The vets were fine when I registered them and said Elizabeth was around 3-4
 
Their nails aren't too bad, curly but not overly thick. They were at least 6m when they arrived, probably older. But then they were a bit underweight when they arrived too and I think I may have been underestimating their ages because of their size. Now they've filled out a bit (heh) I'm not so certain.
 
You’re probably right with your estimate then as like I say, Esme was 2 in July (I know both her and Ella’s actual birthdays) and hers aren’t as thick and curly as Ella and Elizabeth
 
The nails do get thicker with age, but it is still individually different how thick and curly they become.
It's the same with teeth. Some of my piggies had perfect teeth right untill the end, others didn't.
And the growth and weight depend very much on husbandry, especially in younger piggies.
Most piggies are quieter and sleep more when they get older, but some start to show this behaviour when they are about 2 years old, others start at 4 and others are always pretty hyper.
I don't think that you can really judge the age apart from very young, young adult, middle aged and acting like a senior.
 
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