[janeislay]

I breed Highland Ponies but have no idea about pigs.  Apart from their udders (?) filling up, do their backsides stretch and go floppy like a horse's does ? 

We've only just bought them and have no idea when they're due - they've been running with a boar.  Any help much appreciated.

Jane

[Hilarysmum]

Like any animal pigs will differ from each other.  Generally, milk comes in a day or so before (but not always), back end turns pink and enlargens.  Most sows will start to nest.  Its best if you can offer an ark for each sow to farrow in separately.  Two large sows, lots of babies, enclosed space, can lead to squashing.

[HappyHippy]

Pigs are pregnant for 3 months, 3 weeks and 3 days (roughly) - did the person you bought them from know when they were served ? Are they definately in pig ? It can sometimes be difficult to tell. The udder will start to develop in the last 4 weeks and once you can express milk labour should start within 24 hours. The vulva will become red and swollen before labour too - but this can also be a sign of coming into season (which they would, every 3 weeks, if not in-pig)
There's a thread about advice for a piggy midwife - have a read at that, loads of good advice there too.
HTH
Karen

[janeislay]

Thanks guys.  Yes, I read the posts in the piggy midwife thread - in fact I've gone back through loads of posts, but didn't really find the info I've got in this thread.

So watching their vulvas will be easy enough.  The boar apparently ran with them from July-ish until we got the two sows.  They are gilts, but are pretty huge.

We've got them together in our proposed forest garden and one big ark at the moment, but another area with another ark is all ready, for when either of them shows any sign of farrowing.

[Hilarysmum]

Nesting is always a good sign.  One of ours has a tendency to try to farrow outside.  Not good in this weather.

[alisstuf]

We noticed that both our Gilts became very moody before farrowing, didn't want us in the pen apart from feeding. Other than that they didn't really have any classic signs though maybe that comes with an experienced eye!!
Good Luck

[bibs]

Your sows will almost definately make a nest and block up the entrance to the arc /sty with vegetation just prior to farrowing x

[janeislay]

Your sows will almost definately make a nest and block up the entrance to the arc /sty with vegetation just prior to farrowing x

Oh dear !  It's quite difficult to get to one of the arks - it's in the middle of a very dense patch of woodland.  We can access it via a field tho - we shall need to keep an eye on it.  And also take one of the pigs to a new area and get her settled into it.

[Tudful Tamworths]

Definitely get them to somewhere more accessible. Moving them afterwards can be a nightmare. Hormones do strange things!

A friend's husband tried to move a sow which farrowed under a hedge and ended up on the ground with the sow bearing down on him. He put up his arm to protect his face and she ripped it open about six inches long. Also gored his thigh.

Don't mean to frighten you - just advising if you're going to move them, move them early.
Very best of luck,
Liz

[Hilarysmum]

It would be a far braver person than I to try to move Hilary anywhere once she has farrowed.

[janeislay]

Hmm - think we'll separate the pigs tomorrow and move their arks so they're easier to access.  Thanks for the help.

[gavo]

If you are unfortunate enough to have to move a pig because of an inappropriate farrowing spot don't despair it is possible to do so without injury to yourself or anyone else;just make sure there are two of you with pig boards, food and a means of carrying  most of the piglets.Keep the board between you ;your helper and the pig and whichever of you can move the fastest hold a piglet in front of mum in one hand and a bucket of meal in the other generally she'll follow behind watching her piglet if she gets too close pop the bucket under her nose let her have a bite to eat which usually calms her down. It's even easier if you have three people; but i have done this on my own with no real problems  and believe me some sows have been quite grumpy.

[janeislay]

Thanks gavo - tho I don't think they're going to farrow for quite some time yet.  We just need to take the Tamworth across the road (in the wee sheep trailer), to her new pens and the other ark.

Didn't want to do it too soon, so they're not lonely, but do need to be sure they're settled in their own areas, well before they start nesting !   

[Hilarysmum]

Gavo you havent met Hilary.  when I had to move Hilary's inappropriate nest and found bucket of food, pig board and me all going off in different directions.  Normally a foodaholic Hils didnt pause for the bucket.  It is debatable how much was me jumping over the fence and how much was help from Hilary. I do not have any of these problems with any of the other sows but then no other sow will use the boar as a fence tester either.