The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: Helencus on January 04, 2011, 09:53:27 pm
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Both Kim and aggie have made a nice cosy bed tonight getting all their straw into a nice pile to lie on. Could this be the start of them farrowing or is it just cause it's cold? Kim is definately due tomorrow and aggie we think Friday but can't be sure. Neither of them seem to be bagging up but teats very big now squeezed gently no colostrum yet, neither kicking abdomens. Am I safe to go to bed do you think?
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Your probably in bed already Helen ! But I think/hope you'll be fine tonight ;)
You'll find that once the milk is in, they'll go within 24 hours and it's fairly obvious when the milk comes in - as soon as you touch the teat it'll start to drip.
I know how nervous and tense it is - stay calm and try not to fret too much :-*
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Thinking of you. :)
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Thanks both had decided nothing was going to happen and it hasn't . Surprised that there's still np milk this morning. Will keep checking through the day. Sooooo nervous... But excited too !
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Hope it all goes well - and keep your camera at the ready ;)
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Good luck. It's a very exciting time for you.
With one of my ladies her milk doesn't come in until after the piglets are born. They are all different, so keep an eye out for all the signs.
Look forward to seeing the pictures :)
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I'll do that. If I hadnt seen Kim mated I'd think I was mad thinking she was due today.. She is very big but no milk and seems to be behaving normally. Maybe that's a good thing and tonight or tomorrow out they'll pop.
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helencus does her belly look like she is carrying piglets are the nipples/vessel getting bigger is her vulva slightly larger than normal
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Well id say yes to all 3 but still no milk, she seems the same at the moment. She does have very big teats a very big belly and her vulva looks a bit pink and swollen seems a little sticky (straw sticking) I don't know maybe when boris 1st served it didn't hit the spot but he never showed any interest after and she didn't seem to come into season again. I know it was 10th sept when he served as we wrote it down as pig porn day ! They were at it all day in front of our guests. The online calendar I looked at said should be today. Am I going mad?
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Sorry 12th not 10th.
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on the day two days before or two days after Patience is all that is required you have never said what breed or have i missed that bit
thats 4th of jan or 3rd
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They're British saddlebacks. Kim we saw mated but can only guesstimate with aggie as she looked a bit 'ruffled' around 14/15 sept but didn't see the deed but no sign of a season after then.
I will resume farrowing watch and try to be patient.. :-))
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Sorry 12th not 10th.
By my reckoning she'd have been due anytime from the 2nd onwards (112 days)
It does sound like they're almost ready to go - this is the nerve-wracking bit Helen......hang in there ! It'll soon be over and it's SOOOOOO worth it ;) ;D :wave:
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Thanks HH I've started thinking maybe she's due later but she is very big much bigger than Aggie and teats are very pronounced.. I suppose its possible Boris scored later he is an untried Boar but I'd have thought we would have seen some signs of activity in Oct and they were very vigorous in Sept ;D gotta hold my nerve I guess :pig: :pig:
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Up until 12 hours before Adelaide farrowed I still had doubts as to whether she was in-pig or not (despite the fact she was huge ::)) Your pigs are doing the same as mine - making you wait ;)
The swollen teats & vulva are a sure sign, it's gonna be soon ;)
You're right, you WOULD have seen signs in October were they not in-pig. I think you're spot on with the dates, just got to wait it out now !
Thinking of you and keeping my fingers crossed :-*
Karen x
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good luck :pig: :pig: :pig: :wave:
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Thanks Karen I'm thinking I won't be convinced until piglet # 1 arrives lol! She's still absolutely normal so doesn't look likely tonight... Maybe she'll oblige me and deliver in the day time.. She is a very obliging girl.. Well as pigs go she is ;D ;D
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Here's hoping ;)
Adelaide's a wee star too (Kune Kune) but she still decided to wait til 2am to farrow ! Thankfully last time was August, so it wasn't too bad doing the hourly checks through the night (yes, I know I'm totally anal lol!) this time it's 30th Jan she's due (perfect for spring piglets going off to new homes ;)) but it's gonna be a tad chillier, thank goodness for pocket handwarmers that I got as a stocking filler 8) ;D ;D ;D
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happy hippy you are not alone if you truly care for you stock all should be doing the same with pigs especially no use comming on here moaning about dead and flatpacked piglets or lambs drowned in the sack same as calves if you have not got live ones you can not sell them or eat them the Hampshire pigged on Monday started at half eight and finished at three thirty in the afternoon14 with 3 dead i died after
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thinking of you and the girls Helen.
if one starts nesting, the other may follow suit even if she's not quite ready. And the pheromones she produces giving birth could possibly set of the other. (you ever heard of women who live or work closely together having sychronising periods? all to do with pheromones :) )
good luck...
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but with sheep you have to watch out for lambs being stolen by another, not-quite-ready-to-pop ewe, while the other one is having the twin/triplet... not sure if pigs do the same. thats why being present with lambs is so important. I had two ewes producing 5 between them early one morning last year - it was a bit of a scramble to sort out who's was who's....
all the best for the piglets.
have you had your three cups of tea/coffee yet? I was told it takes 3 months, 3 weeks, 3 days and (at least) 3 cups of tea before farrowing....
Anke.
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once we had a cow that tried to steal another's calf (she had twins) every day for two wks she would try and get one of the twins then when she calved her calf was dead born never had a problem pairing them up
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Thanks for all the supportive comments all. Things are still the same both have made nice beds but no milk or kicking at bellies so I guess I'll check them as late as possible then if still no sign up for 5:30 ish.
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That sounds like a plan ;)
I'm getting ready to tackle the re-furb of my redundant cattle shed into a piggy paradise (for farrowing, isolation and if the weather gets too nasty in the winter for them, I'm SUCH a softie lol!) - and it will be getting a web cam or cctv style set up (just so I can sit inside in comfort and watch her like a hawk !) ;) ;D ;D ;D
Oh look, a pink rabbit :bunny: ;D ;D ;D
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Yes you are Karen but hey aren't we all really. My life has been consumed by my girls and Boris poor horses aren't getting a look in at the moment. Still will make it up to them soon ;D
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Any news Helen ?
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Well I'm unsure tbh. I squeezed her back teats earlier and it looked like there was a tiny drop of milk not In all though and just a very little droplet. Done it again just and again tiny drop also she seems to be bringing her back legs up a bit. I'll go back down in an hour and check. Think I'll start hourly checks now just to be on the safe side.
Im still wondering if I'm imagining it though!
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thats the motorbike getting started
cold night for it
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Nah, you're definately not imagining it, she's just taking her time ;)
Hourly checks sound like a good idea, but I hope she gets started soon for you !
Get wrapped up and dig out that thermos - thinking of you and your piggies :-*
(Gut instinct makes me think you're probably about 12 hours away, but what do I know lol!) :wave:
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It's certainly cold enough for it tonight! I've got a heater down there so I'll get that on and with a flask won't be that bad.
She's not vigorously striking her stomach with her back legs but as she's lay down seems to be rhythmically doing it slowly off and on as she grunts.
I reckon it will be quite a while yet, if I'm not imagining it lol! At least Aggie isn't starting tonight too :o
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Laying down, rythmically grunting - mmmmm maybe she won't wait til the morning :-\
Is her breathing normal or starting to get a bit rapid (contractions) ?
Any tail swishing ?
Is it her first farrowing ?
I always think they go into an almost trance like state - just think of a woman giving birth, all hell could be breaking out around them and they wouldn't care.
Oh, I'm almost as excited as you ;D Glad you've got a heater ;)
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Her breathing seems normal and no tail swishing. It's her first farrowing so hoping between us we can figure it out :o
She seems to be quiet enough and I can't feel any contractions when I put my hand on her belly but she was still drawing her back legs up and her vulva is much more swollen than Aggies. Back down in an hour and let's see think it's going to be a long night ;D
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bet you wish you'd set up a web cam or something!!
good luck Kim :)
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God yes! Will sort that for next time that's for sure.
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Well I was up and down all night and still no piglets she's right back to being up and munching her breakfast this morning guess I was imagining things last night!
I really hope they deliver this weekend as I start a new job Monday. I delayed starting a week so I could be at home with the girls... Sods law but I'm getting confused as to why Kim is late. I posted on 29th nov that they didnt look in pig but both of them are now big and I haven't really upped their feed much as per previous advice just a little bit more since Xmas. I can feel babies moving in Kim anyway..
I'm going to sleep for a bit sending myself round the twist wondering what's going on. It's worse than when I had my kids !
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Don't worry, she will surprise you. :D
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My god you were right! Milk is definately there and talk about nesting.. The only word I can think of is frenzied. She worried me actually no make that scared me as I made the cardinal sin of removing dirty straw from the pen which was fine for about 2 mins then as soon as fresh went back in she went frantic pawing at everything in sight trying to get her nest just right again.... Note to self not to do that again but she's used to being outside and had soiled close to the creep area so wanted it to be fresh and clean for birth...
She is still quite restless agitated even but fine with me not aggressive which is a relief but nevertheless bit worried to see her like this. I expect it's normal as she doesn't understand what is going on. I'm staying with her as much as possible and just stroking and reassuring her but when she has nest head on she's scary.. Pig possessed!
Her temp is also definately raised she's not hot but feels warmer than normal. I guess this is it then some time today or tonight we will have babies please god she and they will be fine.
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See what I mean about not wanting to share an arc with them when they're farrowing ;)
She'll not be long mrs - I'm awaiting the report ;D
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Too right no way on earth I'd want to be in an arc with her she is all instinct and hormones! Thought twice about getting in the pen with her but she was fine with me after she made her nest. she started pawing again a few mins before I came back to the house though, seems to be what she needs to do right now. Making a cuppa to take up there then sit with her I think.
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Yup ! The nicest way to spend an afternoon ;D
Stay calm and have towels to hand for drying them - you (and her) will be fine :-*
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Good luck fingers crossed for both of you. xx
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Thinking of you.
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Still blumming nothing! Aggie looks to be about 24 hrs behind Kim though.
She's nesting nicely now and behaving like Kim did yesterday. Hopefully they'll both deliver in time for me to get a good nights sleep Sunday before new job. Father in law has kindly offered to stay with them Monday if needs be, he grew up on a farm and his dad kept pigs so he's fine to watch them, only thing is they don't really know him so might not want him close. Still worry about that if it happens. Another long night tonight I think..
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use the time to fit a creep area in your pig pen otherwise the pig will use the heat lamp for herself
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got everything crossed for you all :hshoe:
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Piggin' pigs eh ? ::) ;D ;D ;D She's definately taking her time ::) But I'm confident you'll be okay for your new job on Monday (if you can bear to drag yourself away from piglet watching - you'll know what I mean shortly ;))
Once she starts she'll lie down, if she's doing that but seems to be straining with no result or distressed there might be a stuck piglet (but you'll know from the look of her, I'm just giving a possible 'worst case' to watch for)
I've said before that I'd rather go through labour than wait and watch my pig - think I'll have to ammend that to I'd rather do it myself than wait for anybodies pig :o ;D
Karen x
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Ah thanks Karen we will be ok I'm sure. Ive got supplies ready in case I need to assist and I'm not squeamish so won't hesitate if she needs it. Worst comes to worst vet is on stand by as I've already rang to say she's farrowing.
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Kims milk is flowing freely now. Is it likely to be hours now?
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Yes - once the milk comes in they say 24 hours, but you've been getting colostrum for a wee while, so it's probably going to be sooner rather than later ;)
Hope you're not feeling too tired ;D It's exhausting isn't it ? lol!
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Yeah I'm knackered frankly and she's yet to deliver! I've gotta go thru it again with aggie and she's not far behind.. Still bloody great and I'm going to Blub like a baby when theyre born ;D ;D :pig: :pig:
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Ah, but you won't ;)
The heart starts fluttering and you feel the adreniline pumping as you realise this is it, it's happening ! There's no time to get sentimental or slushy when it's all going on and once they're born you'll just feel so incredibly proud of yourself (and the pigs too, obviously ;)) and be mesmerised by the piglets :love: :love: :love:
I'm the biggest softie too, but I didn't cry - I couldn't stop smiling long enough ;)
Sending you lots of virtual 'hurry up Kim & Aggie' vibes ;)
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We have babies! Good news is 9 vigorous healthy piglets, bad news is 1 born dead couldn't get it going at all and 1 runt that just won't suckle no matter how hard I try just can't get her to fight. I've spent hours warming her in tha aga then bringing her back to mom but no joy. I've even resorted to squeezing milk out to try to stimulate her but nothing. I've also tried warm cows milk to try to get something in her. I guess I have to resign myself to the fact she will die and that's natures way but it is sad and yes I'm blubbing. :-((
Still kimmie did beautifully and she's lay down feeding her babies grunting happily to them one proud mom.. Her and me :-))
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Congratulations!!! :pig: :love: :pig:
Keep trying with the runt, just might have been really tired last night.....and just might start feeding from Mum this morning. Good luck :)
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Kim has started to shiver is that normal? Shs passed the afterbirth and I had a very quick feel inside and nothing there. Back legs restless too.. Is she ok ?
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Been following this and I am so pleased for you, as pp said keep persevering runts often survive against all odds, our gilts shivered and became restless after farrowing and I was on the verge of calling the vet out but they settled after a few hours. The guideline I was given that they should be up drinking and eating within 24hrs if they are not that is the time to become concerned. I am sure she will be fine, just exhausted. good luck with the little one :pig:
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Phew was starting to get really worried about to ring vet so thanks for that. She has eaten a bit lying down but really shivering now. Will keep an eye on her and keep trying with runt she's with mom now but just will not suckle.. :-(((
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Well done - I think you had the whole of the nation (well the TAS nation anyway) following your piggies!!!!
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Thanks Anke. I couldn't have done this without the help and support from the TAS members. I won't do an oscars speech but thank you so much to everyone who helped with replies, I was very anxious and your support got us through. Bloody stars all of you THANK YOU!! :love: :bouquet: :pig: :pig:
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Congratulations. If she is still shivering call the vet. (I apologise if its nothing but better safe than sorry). Wonderful news on piglets.
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No shivering has stopped a bit of afterbirth left which she has passed and now she's fine.
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Congratulations on your successful birth. So pleased for you.
Just come in from mucking out and having a cuppa, lovely to read your news. really cheered me up on what is an incredibly Yuk day up here. A real ray of sunshine.
take care all of you.
Mandy
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I've called the vet she's shivering again.. :-(((
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First off Helen - congratulations ! ;D :love: ;D :love: ;D
11 for a first time farrowing is a good number, so sorry about the stillborn - but these things do happen. As JulieS says keep trying with the runt - even if you can make up a bottle and get it to take that ? I think you can make a weak solution using powdered baby milk if you can't get any colostrum - but double check with someone who's done it - I've not hand raised any myself. If it gets a feed and a rest, it may just perk up enough to take a feed from mum - if not, then at least you know you've tried :-*
The shivering - I've noticed it with mine too. If you're at all concerned then the vet is definately the best option, but it is cold, she'll be as shattered as you are and when I get cold and tired I shiver too ;) (Just trying to reassure you :-*) Hope she's recovered soon, but let us know what the vet says. As Anke says - we've all been living the last few days with you and Kimmie, hugs and kisses to you all xxx
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Helen, thank you so very very much for sharing this incredible journey with us all, i have followed it from the beginning as many others have and its been incredible, reading your threads and seeing where you all up to, im not a pig owner never had any dealings with pigs, but you have taught me so much,
congratualations on the birth of all the babies,i hope the runt pulls through for you,
will follow this and see how everyone gets and wait for the next birth, fingers crossed for that.
happyhippy, you have been amazing with your support and advice, thank you also for being part of this incredible thread, you have also taught me so much, your support has been second to none
:pig: :pig: :pig: :pig: :pig: :bouquet: :hshoe: :wave:
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happyhippy, you have been amazing with your support and advice, thank you also for being part of this incredible thread, you have also taught me so much, your support has been second to none
:pig: :pig: :pig: :pig: :pig: :bouquet: :hshoe: :wave:
Stop it ! - you're making me blush ;)
I like talking and if I can talk sense then it's always a bonus - I'm more than happy to help anyone, in whatever way I can :-* :-* :-*
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Couldn't agree more HH I owe you big time!
Right so vets been nothing to worry about examined her slight temp but only slight gave her oxytocin and half a jab of penicillin. Note to all pig owners build or buy a crush! Kimmie was a star but wouldn't let vet give all of penicillin so hubby's got the saw out again so i can try to give her the rest later.
She did pass more afterbirth so glad I got the vet out. Doesn't look good for runt though. Vet gave me a syringe so I milked Kim a bit and gave her some but isn't even swallowing I'm afraid so sad.
Vet left me some oxytocin to give aggie straight after she delivers so that'll be a challenge for me then.
What a few days eh! Glad others have enjoyed this thread. Will let you know when round 2 kicks off! :o ;D
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Congratulations to you and Kim ... and Boris the boar (have I remembered his name? be a first!)
wow - 11! no wonder she wasnt rushing to give birth to all that many!!
:)
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It is sad about your wee runt Helen, but you know you've done all you can. Without sounding too twee - this is nature's way of making sure only the strongest survive, you're doing all you can and if it turns out not to be enough (though I keep hoping she'll surprise you like her mammy did ;)) then it's just part of the circle of life.
When it comes to giving jags we've managed (have to say we, cos I've not jagged my boar - leave that job to hubby, he can jump higher ;)) to get through it without a crush. My way of doing it - get organised (better with 2 of you) one person stands by with primed needle at the ready while the other puts her food down, as soon as her head hits the trough get that needle in her bum and empty it quick as a flash. She's likely to lift her head and wonder what happened, but should return to eating quite happily. I think it's all in the timing, get her just as she starts eating and she's distracted enough by that, not to notice ;)
As for Aggie's oxytocin - she'll still be kinda phasing in and out at the end of farrowing so you should manage to give it a bit more easily (hopefully) fingers, toes and everything crossed - maybe tonight will be another sleepless one ?
Good luck and give Bonking Boris an extra apple from me :-*
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You have done everything you can for the little one, well done and glad mum has been checked over :pig:
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Yeah can do no more for the little un but still really sad to watch her fade.. This is part of it I know and it's the harsher side of breeding any animal but I'm expecting to find her dead tomorrow and that makes me so sad.. Natural selection though and nature can be cruel.. Still must focus on the positive 9 vigorous piglets and a mom that's doing a darn good job she is being so good no problem with me handling her and babies and very attentive mom.
Boris has hit the spot big time, bonking Boris was a good name for him then! Extra food tonight for the big man :-)))
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well done. mine are shivering today and theyv done nothing!! good luck
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Congratulations! ;D
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Fab news, congratulations!
:wave: