[Beewyched]

Just a quick warning to those of you who use low water containers for their pigs 

I had to take a poorly piglet (think mum had trod on her by mistake) to the vet on Thursday (she gave-up overnight last night  ) ...

In the 40 minutes I was gone, Harriet went into (slightly premature) labour (she wasn't due until at least today - but then pigs can't read the rule book).  When I got back I found 2 newborn piglets, drowned, in the water bucket & a lonely little just born piglet.

Awful experience  - could be because she is a first-time mum, but I'm so upset with myself that it could have been prevented - just never thought, all the others have laid down to have theirs (suppose theirs always 1  )

Wee little "Harry" is ok & he already has a lovely new "pet" home waiting for him 

[Tiva Diva]

Oh no! That's just devastating. We only have low water troughs once the young ones are drinking, but thanks for the warning. Poor Harriet: how is she taking it?

[Beewyched]

Harriet's ok - thanks    She doesn't seem to have noticed anything (I think I'm more upset than her  ). 

I was worried about mastitis, but Louise's 4 are getting a sneaky suckle from her now & then, so I think that's helping (& they're doing very well on it too!).
I had tried to seperate them when Louise had hers 2 weeks ago, but Louise got too distressed & wouldn't settle.  So they have half a cow byre to themselves, with a little paddock outside.  It's soooo cute in the morning - both the girls lay on the bed - belly-to-belly - with the piglets snuggled between them - aw 

[Rosemary]

What a shame. Still, Harry's quids in 

[Tiva Diva]

Glad Harriet's Ok and love the description of porcine family bliss! Photo?

[Sandy]

These things are very sad but happen and we learn, such a nice little photo oppertunity with piggy pleasure!!!!! We should all have cameras on our heads and a button attatched to our hand, like a ring, so we can instantly capture these wonderful moments....!!!

[Blinkers]

Awww, so sorry - but it was an accident and accidents do happen.  We live and learn.   And Harry is no doubt enjoying a massive amount of grub from Mum. 

[little blue]

  sad about the little ones....

but welcome to the world to the others

photos please!
and best wishes to Harry - pig

[princesspiggy]

 thats really bad luck, sorry 

[Beewyched]

Thanks everyone  I think the worst thing was handing them over to Greyhills for "disposal" 

They're all doing really well & wee Harry is starting to romp around their little paddock with Louise's 4 now - tho struggling to keep-up with them - comical to see his tiny legs go 

I would love to post some photos - but still have no idea how to get them small enough    Maybe Karen will be kind enough to do it for me (again  ) hint, hint 

[Fowgill Farm]

If it helps we put bricks in the bottom of water troughs so if they do fall in they can scrabble back out, as they grow we remove the bricks and thats when they decide to sit in them anyway to get cool!!!!
Mandy 

[Leri]

Beewyched - that's awful poor you I would have been devestated :-(

Re pictures - you need to use photobucket - am sure there are others too - upload your photos then go to them and a list will appear click on the IMG link and post it here and your photos will appear :-) x

[Barrett]

So So Sorry to hear about your poor little piglets, we have had our fare share of piglet sadness, Mercedes gave birth to 7 her first litter then she died and we have lost 5 of the piglets, when she was nursing them I did keep the water outside the Ark just in case of that happening as they always give birth at the most inconvenient of times, like your little survivor we have 2 little porkers that are being spoilt rotten they may be 2 keepers.

[Beewyched]

Thanks for all your supportive comments 

Oh Barrett, I thought we were having a bad time of it - I can't imagine what it must have been like for you losing mum as well.  Guess the 2 survivors are keeping you busy!  Have you managed to get them to take a bottle or are they lapping?

 

Ps. Leri - I still can't work-out the photo thing - have to get my OH to size the photos for me properly