Piglet weights
18 03 2008
Delilah, our Berkshire sow, is resting now.
Time for dinner for me. I hope.
Piglet weights
Piglet 1: 0.80kg
Piglet 2: 1.30kg
Piglet 3: 1.00kg
Piglet 4: 1.05kg
Piglet 5: 0.85kg
Piglet 6: 1.20kg
Piglet 7: 1.25kg
Piglet 8: 1.20kg
Piglet 9: 1.20kg
Do you mark them as they’re born? How do you tell them apart to weigh, or do you weigh as soon as each is born?
Congratulations, by the way, they are very cute piglets.
When they’re farrowed, I clean them, dry them, weigh them and pop them down next to a teat. If necessary, I’ll also introduce them to a teat by opening their mouth and helping them fasten on but almost all piglets get the hang of it from the off. The important thing is to be very quick and not let them get cold.
I’ll also try to resuscitate any that are not breathing but look good and healthy. I didn’t think I’d have much chance with the dead one last night as the placenta had clearly separated high and early, but I still gave it a quick go—to no avail.
I could intervene more or less, but I’m happy with a middle ground. It gives most of the piglets a better chance of surviving, but without going overboard, making the sow and piglets too dependent on me being there.