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!
No comments:
Post a Comment