I have two females, one white crested, and one with an unknown breed, I suspect part Abyssinian. They are 7-8 months old and are only 750 g and 800 g, respectively. I'm worried that they will stop growing soon due to their age, it's already slowing down a lot, but they seem too small. Is there weight normal?
Hi
Your girls are already at the lower end of the normal adult weight range with several of months of stop and go growth spurts still to go. So they are very much on track for being part of the big pack in the middle. As long as they are lively, happy and up for everything that is coming their way, there is no need to worry.
What is more important is that they are healthy and a good weight/size ratio - the BMI (being an ideal weight for their current body size at any time in life) is ultimately more important than sheer numbers because going just by numbers can be very misleading.
A good normal hay based diet and your daily care (medical issues excepted) for a healthy optimal BMI - which is applicable to all piggies at all ages and not just the average adults in the prime of their lives - are ultimately much more important for a long lifespan than any numbers which cover only half the piggies and only for part of their lives.
Personally, I have had several sows who were passing the 800g only in the very prime of their lives but despite that and their compromised background, they lived to 8 years - longer than the majority of my average sized piggies. I've also had a big boar who at 1500g was borderline underweight but who lived just as long - so please try not to think in numbers and your piggies being in trouble if they are not perfectly on average. Life (including a human one) doesn't work quite like that.
My two runty little cousin sows who touch 600g only on a good day have just turned 4 years and are still going strong... That is the bottom end of the average lifespan and I hope very much that they keep going for a goodly while yet.
Please take the time to read this very helpful guide here, which will hopefully lead you to understand weight and potential weight loss issues better, especially if you have anxiety issues. It may save you a few panic attacks along the line!
Weight and Weight Loss Explained: BMI, Weighing, Poos and Feeding Support
If you suffer from anxiety, you may also find some of the very practical tips in this link here useful to help you enjoy your piggies as much as possible without falling into the trap of hovering and looking for problems instead.
Pet Owners Anxiety - Practical Tips For Sufferers and For Supporters
Your girls are very much on track and - more importantly - sound healthy, so please go and have a romp with them.
