Two weeks later...

Okay, so the two week mark isn't until tomorrow... you'll get over it. Bessie is a wonderful mama. We're down two piglets but this happens. The remaining 8 are adorable, getting redder, and they've about doubled in size.

            Babies and Bessie at the barn. 

              Playing in mama's wallow. 

There is plenty of grass in the barn area but our goal is to raise them on pasture. We've had issues getting a fence put up and water to the land we have set aside for this purpose. Then Bessie finally gets pregnant and plans change. The garden area it is. We get it all set up with mobile domed huts for shelter, an electric netting boundary, and water set on a timer to give them plenty of cool mud to wallow in since shade will be minimal most of the day. Big Boy won't have any. 

We've attempted multiple times to move the hogs from the barn out to pasture. I was determined to get these babies on pasture ASAP! The Big Boy was willing but not Bessie. Can't say that I blame her. After all, she was very pregnant, or nursing, and it's been really hot. It's about a quarter mile walk. Hogs aren't really fond of climbing ramps into a trailer. We tried food, squealing piglets, the trailer, walking... multiple times, multiple combos. Hogs in abundance of 400 pounds don't move unless they want to.

Sunday morning we successfully walked the Big Boy out to his new pen. 😄

Mama almost made it... 😐

Later we got Bessie in the trailer after almost an hour. We're taking the long way around the pond. I'm following in the Ranger to close the gates. As I catch up to the second gate I'm looking at Michael standing behind the trailer with Bessie and I'm wondering why on earth he's decided to give her a potty break⁉ I mean, she's not a dog; it's not that far. Then I see we forgot to latch the sliding door... 
Inhale. Exhale. Don't lose it. I know I should've stopped about 30 minutes ago. I know I'm bordering on heat exhaustion. I know I want her on pasture. I don't know what to do, and what'll work but...
I tell Michael to get in the truck and don't stop. Of course, we get through the gate, merely yards, and Bessie decides a dip in the pond is a wonderful idea. 💦
Apparently it is. She frolics, rolls, roots for who knows what, and really enjoys herself. Michael gets a bucket of water to help the piglets stay cool in their tub in the trailer (amazing it's not that hot in there). Bessie climbs out, gate is closed, I grab a squealing piglet and, yes, she follows. We make the slow trek around the pond while I'm in a barely rinsed out cattle trailer (I really don't suggest you use your imagination) exchanging piglets for noisier ones. She made it!

Bessie was being lazy and eating while laying down. Silly girl! 

 Sweetly sharing with the piglets. I'm sure this won't last long...

Happy babies! 

Piglets at Lazy Dog Ranch

On April 1st we brought home a bred pair of hogs. She was 15 months old and he was 14. At first I named them Peggy and Sue (because everyone should have a boy named Sue). I didn't like the way Sue sounded so I went through a few combinations. None of which have stuck....

She fattened up but then stopped. Her expected due date(s) came and went. No piggies. We were disappointed. I checked her almost everyday for signs of being bred after that. Nothing....

Hence, the two reasons I haven't posted a blog about them. No names. No piglets.

A few weeks ago she started getting plump again. Having no idea when they bred I had no way to know when to expect them so I was keeping a close eye on her. Gestation is 3 months, 3 weeks, and 3 days on the dot. Still...

Last night I started chores as usual by going out to the barn to feed the hogs first. I was still thinking she had a week or two to go. I was wrong. She was smack dab in the middle of farrowing, already had 4, and birthed another shortly after I arrived!

              Mama with the first 5 piglets. 

              After they were all here. 

That was a fascinating experience! Mama did great! They arrive about 15 minutes apart. It's kind of obvious when another is coming but if you miss that her tail wags as the baby is emerging! The umbilical cord cuts itself. They snort out excess fluid and within a couple of minutes have stumbled their way around to find food. I only intervened twice. Once to attempt to revive the stillborn, and again to remove the sac from one. This breed is known for being docile and she had no problem with me being there close. I was petting her, dribbling water in her mouth, and encouraging her. Sigh... happy place!

They are so stinkin' CUTE!

 This morning everybody was fine. She stood up to move around. I was so worried she'd step on one! Look how huge she is and how tiny they are! She's so very gentle. Well, as much as a 400 pound hog can be! She moves slowly and gives them plenty of time to move...

There are three tiny ones. This is the smallest.

I can't ever seem to get all 10 in one shot. They're all there! 

Milk comas and mama resting. 

Finally, sound asleep...

Big Boy is lonely and doesn't know what to do with himself...

"Here, let me lay on you!"

Rest for all 😍