Iron supplements for pot bellied pigs.

Question
I have three pot bellied pigs.  A one year old female and two approx. one year old neutered male brothers.  They are all fed the same and have a healthy outdoor life but one of the brothers is so much thinner and paler than the other.  I have been advised to give him iron supplements by an ex pbp keeper but would like a bit more advice on this.  Many Thanks
Jessica

Answer
Every pig is unique and different. Pigs kept together in the same environment and fed the exact same food can develop different problems.

The only way to be absolutely sure why one pig is thinner is to have a vet check the pig and do blood work. There may be underlying health problems that require medication. Plus, the blood tests will tell you exactly what kind of nutritional supplements your pig needs, if any, and the correct amount.

Many people like to supplement their pigs diet with a chewable childrens vitamin tablet, the kind with extra iron. I am guessing this is what the person who advised you was talking about. It certainly does not hurt to do this. But, if there is a serious underlying problem, it may not help.

Frequently in situations like yours, the thin pig has dental problems. Infected gums or loose or missing teeth can make it difficult for one pig to eat as much as the others. Get your thin pig down for a belly rub, and try to take a look inside his mouth. If there's swelling or any sign of loose teeth or foul odor, he may need some dental work.

You mentioned paleness also, so I'm assuming your pigs are black or have large black spots. Pigs, like people, come in all shades from very dark to very light. No two are exactly the same. It isn't unusual for black pigs to start growing white bristles. Some black pigs turn almost completely "blue" or silver. Their skin is darker than the skin of a white pig, but the bristles are white. Spotted pigs often have dark black spots towards the front, with black bristles, and lighter black spots on the rear, often with white bristles on black spots. This is normal and these pigs are called "blue butts".