[Hilarysmum]

Now thats a great idea, we used straw packed in between ark and tarpaulin which is very messy and fiddly.

[lisanic]

All our sows farrow outside in large metal arks. We have been lucky so far and all has gone to plan with each litter, never needed heat lamps as mum keeps them warm. This is as nature intended. Just give lots of straw but no to a farrowing crate!!!
Goodluck.

[Sylvia]

I have no electricity on my land so, should a sow farrow in cold weather is a lamp essential?

Thanks for replies, I can rest assured.

[Hilarysmum]

Hope you have a camera so we can see the newbies on arrival 

[horsemadmummy]

We are first time pig keepers and our beloved GOS has just farrowed in a 8 X 8 ark and produced 13 beautiful babies!  They are 8 days old now and all stiill here and thiriving!!!  No crates bars or anything else just nice clean straw and the big outdoors (we didn't even keep them in when they followed mum out at 2 days old).  I think that if you have chosen the right sow/gilt and she is stress free nature will take over.  We were told by our friend who is our vet that pigs very seldom have problems as long as they are not kept in a stressed environment and are well looked after.  Our piglets can get under the bottom wire currently which means they can get food away from mum - everyone seems fine and doing just what piggies should do!!!