[Button End Beasts]

Finally the piglets arrived.  Well I say finally but it's just me that's been fretting about their arrival for ages. In fact, we've had that many nights getting up through the night to check on Flo that we were so knackered and, I'm embarrassed to say, we didnt wake up last night for any checks. Went out at 4 am to find the action was all over. 8 piglets and 2 afterbirths. One little fella was squashed. And one little one had wandered outside and was curled up under a piece of hessian sack ands carpet (we had taken it out of her nest last night!) - it was fine though.

So now I should be over the moon but the new worry has set in....I am afraid more will get squashed. She's so big and they are so small and even though we put her in the lambing shed and have made some escape areas for piglets.....they are sticking so close to her and when she goes down, she goes down with a bang. 

Pics attached and a video on my FB page. https://www.facebook.com/ButtonEndBeasts

So the old saying was absolutely true...3 months, 3 weeks, 3 days and probably 3 am! Didnt get to have my 3 glasses of wine yet - bit early for that!

[mojocafa]

Suuperb and congratulations

[nelson]

  Beautiful 


We had a huge Berkshire sow that would go down with a bang - worrying. I have found that it is best to leave Mum and piglets alone for the first 24 - 48 hours to let things settle down. I know that we have spooked a couple of ours and probably caused an accident. Trouble is  - difficult to not to keep looking in and those lovely piglets.


Congrats and have a lovely day.

[Eastling]

Congratulations well worth the wait  well done flo

[HappyHippy]

Congratulations 
They're gorgeous 

[Berkshire Boy]

Well done glad all went well.
 I find the first 24 hours is when squashes happen, after that mum seems to be more aware of them and they are alot more aware of her.

[Button End Beasts]

Just got Flo up for a feed, which she wolfed down and noticed that her vulva area is pretty swollen looking, a bit of a puffed up area, maybe the size of a childs fist, but not really anything hanging out. Is this so something to be worried about?

[Beewyched]

Hi BEB    & congratulations Flo.
 
Looks like a lovely litter - she's done well     New mums are often a bit swollen after farrowing, you say that you saw both afterbirths, so it's unlikely anything's been retained?  As long as she's eating & drinking she should be fine, just keep a close eye on her over the next few days.
My OH had OSBs for a while & they were brilliant mums, they were very careful not to squish their babies - used to nose through the bedding before laying down - almost as good as my KKs 
 

[Button End Beasts]

Thanks all. Sorry to keep gushing but it's just soooo exciting,   .......and nerve racking


These piglets have mighty big ears, like baby elephants. Leaving them and Flo to some peace and quiet but I can't wait to get in there in a couple of days and really check them all over!

[Button End Beasts]

OK, couldn't wait....3 boars, 4 gilts. 

[Daisys Mum]

OK, couldn't wait....3 boars, 4 gilts. 

Congratulations 

[Button End Beasts]

These piglets are hilarious little things. One moved off to the side of the bundle of piglets and was hunched over having the tiniest of poos when it proceeded to fall asleep mid poo and nose dived into the straw, still without waking up!


Flos really good with them now. Snuffling in the straw, and kneeling down before gently laying down next to them. When she comes out into the field for food, she keeps going back and sticking her head into the lambing shed to make sure the babies are all fine, then she'll have the shortest of wanders before rushing back to them.   What a great experience this is.

[Beewyched]

I can see that you are going to get loads done this week     
 
But it is magical - enjoy the experience 
 
Sounds like Flo's taken to motherhood well - they are such good mums 
 
Just looked at your photos again - hope you don't mind me pointing this out      it looks like you've got a concrete floor there - I know it can be difficult to gauge in the 1st week (squished piglets vs comfort), but I would try a little more bedding - the piglets could end-up with sores on their knees from direct contact with the concrete & vigorous suckling, which can lead to infection.
 
 

[Button End Beasts]

Unfortunately I'm back at work today . All seems well and OH going home for a lunchtime check.
They are on a dirt floor and Flo is digging into the dirt at times to make a trough to lie in. Most of the straw seems to have been chucked to the sides. This morning, before she went to lie down she truffled through the straw sending piglets flying one way and then the straw out the other way! Will try and re-arrange  the bedroom to make it more comfety and add some more straw. Actually its hay as we have some leftover and OH thought it would be softer!
But thanks for advice and any more most welcome!
 
PS I need a webcam so i can spy on them from work!
 

[Fowgill Farm]

Many congratulations BEB, lovely litter, and its sounds like all going well, make sure plenty air flow thro in thishot weather and that she gets loads to drink, build up her feed gradully, split over 3 meals if you can and enjoy those babies   once again well done.
mandy
ps has her tush calmed down?