The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: Polished Arrow on June 22, 2012, 12:36:05 am

Title: Is Margot Pregnant?
Post by: Polished Arrow on June 22, 2012, 12:36:05 am
Well, today was meant to be the day, but in fact Lady Penelope - who was served 9 days later than Margot - looks more pregnant and already has milk on tap...  :-\


Here's a photo of Margot taken yesterday....  Would those with experience reckon that that is the outline of a pregnant gilt, or is she just full of wind?!


(http://i48.tinypic.com/1ovwj4.jpg)
Title: Re: Is Margot Pregnant?
Post by: Polished Arrow on June 22, 2012, 12:41:27 am
Yes, I thought I had one!  Here is a picture of Lady P for comparison, also taken yesterday - though obviously later in the evening  ;)


(http://i49.tinypic.com/357nlhu.jpg)




Title: Re: Is Margot Pregnant?
Post by: Berkshire Boy on June 22, 2012, 09:24:22 am
Yes I would say she is pregnant, gilts can be difficult they don't always follow the rules. Sometimes they look a way off and you find a litter the next day.
Are you sure of dates, the boar couldn't have caught her on her next season could he.
Keep us posted, good luck. :fc:
Title: Re: Is Margot Pregnant?
Post by: Fowgill Farm on June 22, 2012, 10:35:20 am
Agree she looks to me too, i've known them to be upto a week late on delivery depends which part of season he caught her.
 :fc:  & good luck hope all goes well.
mandy  :pig:
Title: Re: Is Margot Pregnant?
Post by: JulieS on June 22, 2012, 10:44:01 am
I agree with the others, I'd say she looks pregnant....Gilts don't always show a lot.


Good luck and let us know how you get on.


Look forward to seeing the pictures  :love: :pig: :love:
Title: Re: Is Margot Pregnant?
Post by: HappyHippy on June 22, 2012, 11:13:40 am
I can't make up my mind - she does look 'rotund' though  ;)
But if it looks like her udder is filling up and dropping then she is pregnant (I just can't tell properly from the photo cos she's lying down  ;) )
Good luck and keep us posted  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Is Margot Pregnant?
Post by: Tamsaddle on June 22, 2012, 12:33:20 pm
Best thing would be to check between her legs from the back when she is standing, to see how the bagging up is going.   Our Daisy (saddleback gilt) who had 13 babies was enormously rotund for weeks beforehand but only bagged up (udder sagging almost to the ground) in the final 2 days.   Tamsaddle
Title: Re: Is Margot Pregnant?
Post by: goosepimple on June 22, 2012, 12:36:03 pm
They look like hippos or bouncy castles  :innocent: ....  50p says she is...
Title: Re: Is Margot Pregnant?
Post by: Polished Arrow on June 22, 2012, 01:49:36 pm
Still nothing, and no bagging up with either of them.  Still little pearls of milk from Lady P's nipples, but none from Margot who we believe to be due 9 days earlier... 


Thanks for your reassuring comments.  Yes, we are sure that The Mighty Raj had his wicked way with Margot as well as Lady P - they were at it for two days, starting two minutes after he was allowed into their pen :D   Mandy, it is good to know that piglets can be late too...  We had read that they are normally very reliable in the 3 months, 3 week, 3 days gestation. 


Photographic evidence of the aforementioned 'activity'  ;)
1.  Still with L Plates on:
(http://i50.tinypic.com/2gyad13.jpg)


2.  Getting the hang of it  ;D
(http://i49.tinypic.com/2ry4hzo.jpg)


However, we kept Raj with the girls for a couple of months - so well passed the following 'season' for each gilt - just in case. 


Here's a photo taken the day before Raj started his business.  Just for comparison.  They have been on the same food regime since (in fact, reduced for a couple of weeks as they were beginning to podge up too much...).
(http://i49.tinypic.com/fv0ub.jpg)


I think on reflection that yes, they are both pregnant and maybe I just have the jitters! 
Never mind a beer for the pigs. 
Maybe I need some  :innocent:

Title: Re: Is Margot Pregnant?
Post by: Polished Arrow on June 22, 2012, 01:51:39 pm
Quote from: goosepimple on June 22, 2012, 12:36:03 pm
They look like hippos or bouncy castles  :innocent: ....  50p says she is...


 :D :D :D
Title: Re: Is Margot Pregnant?
Post by: littlelugs on June 22, 2012, 02:27:36 pm
My GOS gilt didnt bag up until the morning she had the piglets. there was a lot of she is, she isnt banter in the household at the time.
She bagged up an hr or so before giving birth which confused the heck out of my other half who said to me over the phone "peggy looks like she's trying to poo but nothings happening....oh wait...oh S***. "  7 healthy piglets were promptly born  :pig:
still brings a smile to my face remembering just gutted i couldnt have been there for the births that was 9mths ago now maybe next time i will be present.  :fc:
Title: Re: Is Margot Pregnant?
Post by: Tamsaddle on June 22, 2012, 06:29:51 pm
Love the L-plate picture !!
Title: Re: Is Margot Pregnant?
Post by: goosepimple on June 22, 2012, 07:36:00 pm
 8) 8)  goodness, give them some privacy!
Title: Re: Is Margot Pregnant?
Post by: princesspiggy on June 22, 2012, 07:39:12 pm
id say she is.
pepper didnt bag up at all, tho she had the underline. she had milk if u squeezed her but no swollen udder at all until day 3. now she has big udders.
when they are that big u can feel the piglets if she is full, if they are empty they feel different.
Title: Re: Is Margot Pregnant?
Post by: goosepimple on June 22, 2012, 08:31:31 pm
sorry, just interrupting this thread to say just how cute your new pic is princesspiggy, must win the  :eyelashes:  pic on TAS!
Title: Re: Is Margot Pregnant?
Post by: princesspiggy on June 22, 2012, 08:58:59 pm
Quote from: goosepimple on June 22, 2012, 08:31:31 pm
sorry, just interrupting this thread to say just how cute your new pic is princesspiggy, must win the  :eyelashes:  pic on TAS!


thanks  :wave: :wave: :wave:
Title: Re: Is Margot Pregnant?
Post by: princesspiggy on June 22, 2012, 09:04:13 pm
while we are on the subject... ::)
our 8 weaners are in the barn for a few days and keeping them company is our 4 mth old boar derek.
a few weaners are trying to suckle eachother by butting their siblings bellies  with their noses. a v determined weaner got more than he bargained today whilst trying to suckle derek and his face was covered in a ....err...white fluid.
oops  :o :o :o
Title: Re: Is Margot Pregnant?
Post by: goosepimple on June 22, 2012, 09:41:30 pm
oooohhhh, OOPS  :o :o :o
Title: Re: Is Margot Pregnant?
Post by: Polished Arrow on June 23, 2012, 03:09:50 pm
*sigh*
STILL waiting  :pig: :pig:


When I was overdue, I was given fruit cake and told to try hot baths.
I am hoping that fresh strawberry, tomato and banana salad and a cool wallow might have the same effect on my pigs!


Meanwhile, three chicks (Light Sussex) have hatched overnight :-)
Title: Re: Is Margot Pregnant?
Post by: goosepimple on June 23, 2012, 05:30:41 pm
show the chicks to the piggy, she might get the idea and get on with it, failing that, veggie vindaloo  :o
Title: Re: Is Margot Pregnant?
Post by: Polished Arrow on June 23, 2012, 06:54:21 pm
Quote from: goosepimple on June 23, 2012, 05:30:41 pm
show the chicks to the piggy, she might get the idea and get on with it, failing that, veggie vindaloo  :o

[/size]T
[/size]hey remain enigmatic, so I am giving up trying to predict who, when, how many or even whether or not! If/when piglets come, then the news will be shouted from the tree tops and joyful sounds will be heard as far away as the forum reaches! In the meantime, I am feigning disinterest, in the hope that it makes them indignant and helps them to get a move-on!
:farmer:
Title: Re: Is Margot Pregnant?
Post by: goosepimple on June 23, 2012, 08:44:35 pm
yea, play it dead  8)  that'll show 'em  :D
Title: Re: Is Margot Pregnant?
Post by: HappyHippy on June 23, 2012, 10:17:28 pm
Hanging about waiting for pigs to decide to farrow has to be one of the most frustrating times of the pig keepers year  ::)  But it is worth it  ;D
You have my sympathies  ;)
Title: Re: Is Margot Pregnant?
Post by: Tudful Tamworths on June 23, 2012, 11:51:06 pm
Late coming to this thread. She certainly looks like she's in pig. When was she with the boar/in season last? Could be she just wasn't ready when her mate was served, so could well be three weeks later.
 
 
Title: Re: Is Margot Pregnant?
Post by: Polished Arrow on June 24, 2012, 09:32:37 am
Quote from: Tudful Tamworths on June 23, 2012, 11:51:06 pm
Late coming to this thread. She certainly looks like she's in pig. When was she with the boar/in season last? Could be she just wasn't ready when her mate was served, so could well be three weeks later.


She does, doesn't she!  Margot came into season on the 25th Feb and we popped the boar in with her that day - she was more than welcoming  :D   They bonked for two whole days!  People passing the field (frequent dog-walking route) were embarrassed at what they saw, apparently!  Lady P came into season 9 days later, and enjoyed a less rigorous seeing-to by the Mighty Raj.  We kept Raj in the field with them for another month, just to be sure, but there was no 'activity' on the followign 'due' dates, so we thought they must have both taken the first time.


Anyway, Lady P is about to burst (due date is this coming Friday) and is also in some discomfort.  We think it is her back - maybe sciatica  :(   So the sooner she pods, the better.


Margot continues to look sometimes very pregnant, sometimes not at all...  So we will just have to wait and see!  I can see now why people invest in scanners.  It is a long time to wait for no fruit.
Title: Re: Is Margot Pregnant?
Post by: princesspiggy on June 24, 2012, 01:22:28 pm
Quote from: Polished Arrow on June 24, 2012, 09:32:37 am

Margot continues to look sometimes very pregnant, sometimes not at all... 


our dolly is like that, i dont think she has many inside her but shes been bagged up for a week now. shes not happy being kept in but with this rain i cant risk her running off to the woods!
our pepper was big but only had 6...
Title: Re: Is Margot Pregnant?
Post by: Polished Arrow on June 24, 2012, 11:52:33 pm
Quote from: princesspiggy on June 24, 2012, 01:22:28 pm
Quote from: Polished Arrow on June 24, 2012, 09:32:37 am

Margot continues to look sometimes very pregnant, sometimes not at all... 


our dolly is like that, i dont think she has many inside her but shes been bagged up for a week now. shes not happy being kept in but with this rain i cant risk her running off to the woods!
our pepper was big but only had 6...


That is reassuring to hear, thank you - though I am sorry for you and your Dolly! 


Margot is practically chewing the hurdles she is so fed up of being in a smaller space (50' x 20'), but like you, I want her close by ready for when she does pod.  IF she does  ;)


There is still milk expressable from Lady Penelope, though, who isn't due until next Friday  ::)
Title: Re: Is Margot Pregnant?
Post by: princesspiggy on June 25, 2012, 12:01:18 am
dolly isnt far away now... she suddenly has a huge belly and i can feel lots of little trotters kicking. her rump muscles have dropped too and has  big boobies so hopefully it mite be tonight!!


 :D :D
Title: Re: Is Margot Pregnant?
Post by: goosepimple on June 25, 2012, 09:19:49 pm
trotters crossed  :fc:
Title: Re: Is Margot Pregnant?
Post by: princesspiggy on June 25, 2012, 10:14:08 pm
Quote from: goosepimple on June 25, 2012, 09:19:49 pm
trotters crossed  :fc:


 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Is Margot Pregnant?
Post by: Polished Arrow on June 26, 2012, 01:07:01 pm

STILL nothing!  How big is it possible (and safe) for a pig to grow?! :o



Title: Re: Is Margot Pregnant?
Post by: Tamsaddle on June 26, 2012, 01:17:58 pm
Our smallish saddleback gilt, who farrowed 3 weeks ago and 3 days earlier than I was expecting, was more enormous than I could have believed it possible for a pig to be, her belly tight and hard as steel and sticking well out on both sides.  She looked as if she might have 30 in there, in the end 13, but everything worked out just fine in the end despite the massive load she was carrying.   So just hang on in there, they'll arrive when they're ready - Tamsaddle 
Title: Re: Is Margot Pregnant?
Post by: Polished Arrow on June 26, 2012, 01:22:59 pm
Quote from: Tamsaddle on June 26, 2012, 01:17:58 pm
Our smallish saddleback gilt, who farrowed 3 weeks ago and 3 days earlier than I was expecting, was more enormous than I could have believed it possible for a pig to be, her belly tight and hard as steel and sticking well out on both sides.  She looked as if she might have 30 in there, in the end 13, but everything worked out just fine in the end despite the massive load she was carrying.   So just hang on in there, they'll arrive when they're ready - Tamsaddle


Tis true.  Thanks!


I am not so sure about Margot now, though.  I suspect she may either have lost hers a while back, or just not have taken the first time she was in season.  She is pretty tetchy, to be honest, unlike Lady p who is now simply recumbent, waiting for the dam to break!  Margot is also now noticably less large than Lady P...


How much time can be wasted on this Is She/Isn't She game, I wonder  :-\
Title: Re: Is Margot Pregnant?
Post by: HappyHippy on June 26, 2012, 03:00:12 pm
Quote from: Polished Arrow on June 26, 2012, 01:07:01 pm

STILL nothing!  How big is it possible (and safe) for a pig to grow?! :o
I reckon just when you think they can't possibly get any bigger........they go another fortnight  :D :D :D
Just wait, the first day you have plans to do something that's when she'll decide to farrow  ::) ;)
You've got my sympathies  ;)
Title: Re: Is Margot Pregnant?
Post by: Blinkers on June 26, 2012, 03:22:47 pm
Quote from: Polished Arrow on June 26, 2012, 01:22:59 pm
Quote from: Tamsaddle on June 26, 2012, 01:17:58 pm
Our smallish saddleback gilt, who farrowed 3 weeks ago and 3 days earlier than I was expecting, was more enormous than I could have believed it possible for a pig to be, her belly tight and hard as steel and sticking well out on both sides.  She looked as if she might have 30 in there, in the end 13, but everything worked out just fine in the end despite the massive load she was carrying.   So just hang on in there, they'll arrive when they're ready - Tamsaddle


Tis true.  Thanks!


I am not so sure about Margot now, though.  I suspect she may either have lost hers a while back, or just not have taken the first time she was in season.  She is pretty tetchy, to be honest, unlike Lady p who is now simply recumbent, waiting for the dam to break!  Margot is also now noticably less large than Lady P...


How much time can be wasted on this Is She/Isn't She game, I wonder  :-\

PA - I can empathise totally as I'm in exactly the same boat ::) .   My Middle White was due (according to my records) just over 2 weeks ago...and no show.    I turned her back outside into her pen a week ago and then the day before yesterday rushed her back in again as she was lying down in her ark and had 'appeared' to have nested.  However, still nothing, no nesting, no difference in size and the annoying thing is, sometimes she looks huge and other times I think "no chance".   So frustrating.   I have gone to the luxury of buying the Doppler but either I can't 'get my ear in' (as it were) or she is indeed just empty.   I'm waiting another few days before I test out the doppler on another sow who's been running with the boar for 6+ weeks and if I can hear the 'sounds' with her, I'll know for sure the MW isn't in pig....but if I hear nothing with her either,.....she's either not taken or I just can't hear the 'sounds'......aaaarrrrgggghhhhhh >:(   
Title: Re: Is Margot Pregnant?
Post by: kitchen cottage on June 26, 2012, 03:45:19 pm
I'm going against the flow with a ....no.
 
This is based on my tremendously wide experience of breeding.........one sow a few times  ;)
 
She has no line or any sign of milk movement.....
 
Not being svelte myself please don't take this amiss,..... but she looks like a very "content and wellfed" pig.
 
If my betting average is to continue, you will now find yourself blessed with a litter of 22, no need to thank me  ;) ;D
Title: Re: Is Margot Pregnant?
Post by: Polished Arrow on June 26, 2012, 11:14:27 pm
Well Lady Penelope is definitely there...


Interior decoration seems to be a new interest:
(http://i45.tinypic.com/11lre6v.jpg)


Some unusual garden features have started to appear too - such as a floating garden in the water trough!
(http://i45.tinypic.com/2edxc36.jpg)


And she has milk bottles the size of Yorkshire tea Cakes with milk squirting out of them!
(http://i48.tinypic.com/2hzu6o4.jpg)


Now that she has blocked off the farrowing rails with wet grass, she is lying with her bottom almost out of the front door... I am now trying to think of ways to get her to turn around so that the piglets stay inside and don't fall out of the door  ::)


Margot, meanwhile, is muttering under her breath in the next door pen... something about 'Drama Queen' if I heard correctly  :D   Kitchen Cottage, you may well be right!  And Blinkers, you have answered my question for me about the Doppler, without me having to say it!  Hope yours both come through with the goods in due course