[JulieS]

One of my GOS gilts is due to farrow around 8th December.  I've got everything ready (well as ready as I can be!).

I've read as many books as I can and talked to local breeders, and was lucky enough to watch a farrowing the other week.  The farmer opposite, who has a few pigs as well as his dairy herd is on hand to help, and of course the vet is aware and ready to help if I need him.  The breeder I got the girls from is just a phone call away too.

I've got the farrowing area all set up and ready.

So I'm as prepared as I can be. 

I was wondering what your experiences were of your first farrowing?  Anything else I should be thinking of?

[HappyHippy]

Can't help with advice I'm afraid Julie, but I hope it all goes well and look forward to seeing the pictures 

[Pigginshelly]

Wow, exciting times indeed. I can't wait to see the pictures!

[Hilarysmum]

I got through a lot of wine on the day.  Hilary threw me out as soon as she went into labour.  Keep the vet's phone number handy and dont worry.

[smiffy]

I waited day and night, had to nip to work for a couple of hours in the afternoon and naughty pig farrowed whilst i was gone, just caught the last one

[BillyBerridge]

Onlu advise I can give is, stay quiet, if something hapens like a piglets squeels and panics her a bit don't jump in a in a panic -it will only panic the sow further.
Only get invloved if you absolutely have to otherwise just let nauture take its course! Good luck!

[JulieS]

Many thanks everyone. 

I've got the camera ready.  While I've got it out I must take some pictures of my lovely signs, Karen.  They look fantastic!

[dixie]

Just sit quietly and watch, its a beautiful experience, pigs are fantastic they just lay down and it happens naturally (most of the time!) Good to have some old towels, as the piglets get muckier the further along they are! I like to give them a wipe if its at night and cold! Glass of wine in hand and a good pig book along with list of numbers in case of emergency, good luck and enjoy

[JulieS]

Fantastic....Thank you dixie 

[marigold]

Really exciting...........can't wait to hear the full story - perhaps a live news feed?
I'll have a glass of wine ready to toast your (plural you and sow's) success.

[JulieS]

Thank you marigold 

A live news feed.....Now that sounds exciting, and very technical.  Anyone know how to do that???
 

[marigold]

Absolutely no idea - not even quite sure what it is exactly - just sounds immediate and the sort of thing that might be good.
I guess that a wireless connected laptop so that you can post while watching might be close. But if the weather is as bad with you as it is here, we'll forgive you for not setting up the whole pig watch documentary set up in the rain.

[JulieS]

I'll have to get my son thinking about that, he's a lot more 'tech' minded than me!  I'm far too old!!!! 

I like the idea though.

[ukag0972]

Wrap yourself in a duvet, have one of those "keep warm" mug things, fill with hot chocolate and sit and watch.
I could sit for hours and watch, although I prefer night farrowing as it's sooooo quiet and it's only me and my pig!!!
Doesn't matter how many times you see it, everytime is fantastic!

[dixie]

Oh and just to add, remember the smell of the newborn piglets, next time you will 'know' if the sows in pig as you will recognise that smell