The babies started arriving early this morning. Pig-farmer was home and on duty. (Whew…)
There are 10 little piggies. So far.
{UPDATE! Pig-farmer just came in and said there are now 14! 14 piglets!}
Pig-farmer thinks a couple of the smallest ones may not make it.
It’s hard to tell.
Normally we love visitors to come see the newborns.
Normally.
This year, with the
http://www.pork.org/News/3904/NationalPorkBoardStatementOnPEDV.aspx#.U06Gy_ldVyU
the pigs will have to be older, bigger, stronger before we welcome visitors into the farrowing barn.
So, I took pictures!
For a size comparison, the sow’s hooves are pictured in the two next pictures. For those non-educated people that believe farrowing/birthing crates are inhumane … finding squashed pigs is also rather inhumane. Don’t forget, pigs are also carnivorous, and if able to locate the source of the birthing pain … will sometimes turn on their own babies until they’ve had time to sort it all out.
Farming is generally better when left to those that understand it.
I sure don’t want this cute little baby being squashed.
More pictures to follow.
Today is feeling more like spring again. 🙂
Except for the crick in my neck.
It has me feeling rather tense. My shoulders keep drawing up toward my ears.
This too shall pass.
Just Make the Coffee 
Congratulations on the piglets. They look delicious.
Imagine their names! Bacon, Chops, Ham, Ribs ….
They are awesome. Thanks for sharing the pictures of them. Congratulations!
Thank you!! I hope they thrive.
I feel your crick neck pain! My husband says it’s because I drink too much coffee. Congrats on the little cuties!
Really??? Surely not. Note my blog’s name!?
🙂
Misery to have a cricked neck.. Fourteen is a lot of babies! And I do so agree not to let anyone near, this monstrous virus would be terrible if it got onto your wee farm. Anyway.. congrats on your new babies.. and those photos are just wonderful.. c
Thank you, C. I think a margarita tonight with my sister will help loosen the neck. 😉
Wanting to share our love and learning on the farm … but wanting to keep the animals safe is difficult to balance sometimes.
Congratulations on the arrival of the little piglets!!!! Is it terrible to admit that I think they will be cuter in a few days? 🙂
Not terrible at all. I actually think they are cutest once weaned from the sow and playing in fresh straw. Then, they seem to outgrow that stage in about 2 days…. 😉
I love babies and little pigs are just the cutest!!! Keep everyone away…it is only wise!!!
✿♥ღLinda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
They are puppy’ish at first. My good friend is married to a vet that is employed by a large swine corporation. They say we will know quickly if they are going to get sick.
A farmer in Hotchkiss (30 minutes away) lost all of his babies accept two in hours. Heart wrenching.
✿♥ღLinda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
So, it has hit in Colorado, too. I didn’t know if any areas were spared or not. It’s a crazy virus.
Just adorable:)
I’m in awe…she had 15!! The 15th was still-born.
Awe super cute and shiny! Pigs are so much fun! Put a warm corn pack on your neck and take a little rest! I hope you feel better!
Corn pack? I haven’t heard of that … I do have a heating pad, though!
A corn pack is microwaved and give off moist heat, more effective than a heating pad. My Granny made some out of whole corn from the feed store in 12″ by 4″ cases made out of thick flannel. We use them all the time.
good to know!
congrats on the babies and I hope they make it. Farming is def. not for the faint of heart.
I keep telling myself not to be surprised if I find one that hasn’t survived….
I know. I have lost 5 baby chicks. I’ve lost sleep worrying about them and find myself checking on them at all hours of the night. But, that’s what we do when we care about our animals. Hope your piggies continue to thrive.
I love the line “Farming is better left to those who understand it.” Congrats on the piggies…they are adorable.
-Lori
Thanks, Lori. I understand a lot of people have good intentions … many lack the knowledge to go with the good intentions. 😉
“Farming is generally better when left to those that understand it.” <— This is great!
🙂 Simply stated.