Daisy farrowing
2 01 2008
Daisy, our newest Berkshire sow, has started farrowing and has delivered three healthy piglets so far.
I’m heading back out again (1730).
- - - - -
Up to four piglets now (1820), plus sleet so the temperature is dropping fast.
The piglets have their heat lamp, so they’re fine. As for me, brrrrr!
- - - - -
No further piglets by 1850, so I’ve given her a shot of oxytocin to move things along.
The piglets are very strong and active, which is excellent.
And I’m supposed to be making dinner - liver, onions and bacon with mashed potato. Sigh…
- - - - -
Up to six piglets and an afterbirth now (1930) so that’s one horn of the uterus clear.
The Other Half is on watching duty, while I try to cook. When she shouts, I hurtle out the door, help a piglet if needed, clean it up and then bolt back in to wash and continue cooking.
Mad.
- - - - -
Somehow I managed to cook and eat dinner. Then race back out just in time for numbers seven and eight at 2005.
Another afterbirth followed 15 minutes later.
- - - - -
It appears to be over at 2047. Eight piglets with three boars, three gilts and two unknowns as they kept jumbling themselves around.
The boys came out and, as Daisy was well settled, they both spent a few moments talking and stroking her, while admiring the piglets. She was more than happy to grunt back as they chatted to her.
I’m now heading back out to spend another 30 minutes keeping an eye on them in case there are any further developments, but it’s been a straightforward farrowing this time.
- - - - -
Eight fine piglets. All are a good size and doing well at 2209.
Daisy is also doing well and is proving to be a good mum. Now we just have to wait and see if they all make it through the first 24-48 hours.
I wish you and Daisy the best of fortunes.
Is this an average size litter?
What was her gestation period?
They look like wee crackers stoney, dry mild and windy here (for a change)
Congratulations to you all .. Glad everything was straightforward and that Daisy and her little piggies are doing fine :o)
that’s fantastic, hope they all keep doing well. Meli and Katie said the piggies are cute!
So pleased to hear that mother and young un’s are all doing well…they do look “bonny”…
Make that nine fine piglets. I found one nestled away under the others, sound asleep while they were suckling.
The average litter size in the UK is 11.9 piglets, but that’s from commercial breeds. The average number reared is 9.8, again for commercial breeds.
The gestation period is 115 days (3 months, 3 weeks and 3 days).
Our average is 8.7 piglets per litter, but that’s dragged down by Dolores who only had two.
Wonderful news from the croft and mum looks so contented too. Do you get much problem with mums lying on the piglets?
A fine addition to the herd mate. I hope they all do well for you.