Author Topic: Our surprise arrivals two days early ! (Read 3019 times)

Tamsaddle · « **on:** June 01, 2012, 01:32:33 pm »

I was amazed to find 5 little Tamworth piglets at 8 am this morning, having checked at 2 am when all was quiet, no nesting activity, and due day not until Sunday. By 9.30 am there were 7 - would have liked more but not too bad for a first litter. Sadly one of them has problems with its back legs and is completely unable to stand, it is dragging itself around with its front legs but not really able to get to the best teats (it is now 1.30 so they are 4 to 6 hours old). I have no idea if it was squashed or came out like that, as they are all so wobbly in the first few minutes anyway, but mum appears to me to be taking a lot of care not to sit on them. Should we prepare ourselves for losing this piglet, or is there anything that could be done to save it? It certainly could not grow up like it is at the moment - Tamsaddle

robert waddell · « **Reply #1 on:** June 01, 2012, 01:55:37 pm »

it is amazing just how resilient piglets can be and never ceases to amaze me how weak and delicate they are when born and even within an hour of suckling can be full and actually see them growing
don't just write it off to quick

Berkshire Boy · « **Reply #2 on:** June 01, 2012, 03:19:54 pm »

As Robert says give it a chance, as long as its in no pain its worth a go.

HappyHippy · « **Reply #3 on:** June 01, 2012, 05:02:49 pm »

Congratulations

Agree with those above - give it a day or so and see what happens.
Karen

Polished Arrow · « **Reply #4 on:** June 01, 2012, 07:51:53 pm »

That's lovely news. Hope hop-along picks up well.

Tamsaddle · « **Reply #5 on:** June 02, 2012, 12:21:56 pm »

Prospects for my poor little lame piglet look a tiny bit better today - it can at least get on to its back legs and move around, but on one side the lower half of its leg from knee to trotter looks completely stiff/paralysed. Do so hope it recovers, other than that it is feeding as well as the others and looks quite alert and lively. Thanks for your replies - Tamsaddle

nelson · « **Reply #6 on:** June 02, 2012, 03:02:40 pm »

Hi Tamsaddle

Congrats on surprise arrivals

Hattie our tamworth must of trod on the smallest in her litter within the first day and it limped quite badly which resulted in stiffness for a few days but ...... she got stuck in - 6 days on she is up with the rest of them.

Hope the piglet continues to recover