Mixed feelings after the latest farrowing

Everything had been going according to my rough plans so it looked like the next farrowing would go smoothly. As usual there is always something that can go wrong and experience tells me that it probably will so it becomes an exercise in looking for the positives.

About a week ago both sows were brought in to the farrowing shed near the house to get Sissy settled and then a day or so later Esther was moved back to the woods to her usual home. Changes in surroundings are less stressful for a pig when it has company and we wanted to avoid any stress in the final days before Sissy farrowed.

Happiness is some straw on your nose
Happiness is some straw on your nose

Unfortunately work commitments meant that I had to be away on business until the Thursday night (12 January) but my calculations had her due to farrow over the weekend or maybe Friday if a little early. I’m sure everyone can tell what’s coming next…

I’m told that it seemed to be a normal quiet Thursday afternoon and then suddenly by about 6pm there were piglets everywhere. In the end she had a litter of 11 which was a huge increase on her first litter.

However, unlike last year when all 5 piglets survived, this time at least 3 piglets were already dead or very close to death at birth. Even though  we know that this is always a possibility with every farrowing, it’s no less upsetting but Sissy didn’t seem to notice – especially as she kicked/squashed 2 more piglets over the next hour or so.

Sissy and piglets at 2 days old
Sissy and piglets at 2 days old

Eventually the situation calmed down and we could relax knowing that the remaining 6 piglets were suckling well and looking very strong. Sissy seemed to adjust to motherhood again after the trauma of farrowing and, as with last year’s litter, proved to be a very attentive mother from the second day onwards.

She always welcomes a break from the shed though and is happy to wander around our courtyard snuffling for any unexpected treats she can find. It’s good to get away from the kids now and then.

Sissy getting a stroll outside
Sissy getting a stroll outside

In the meantime, I’m busy making notes of the hard lessons learned this time around and hoping to improve the situation for the next farrowing in a couple of months time. There are positives in that the surviving numbers for this litter are 20% up on her last litter and Sissy coped really well. It’s good to remember that the outcome could have been much worse…

3 thoughts on “Mixed feelings after the latest farrowing”

  1. Wonderful stuff about the pigs.
    Sissy wandering happily snuffling in the courtyard is lovely to see and imagine.
    Our Dalmatian, Patch, sneezes when he sees us after a while…communicating I am sure.
    He is partial to a bit of toast .
    Some brown birds and little colourful salamanders arrive regularly…but otherwise not much wildlife.
    Will continue to read your news with interest.
    Love,M

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