Getting ready for my first farrowing or not...

dejavoodoo114

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I have had a pig or more a year for the past 4 years or so. We started with two but didn't like it as they would run off together. With only one they always hung out with the goats and LGDs. With other areas of the farm finally where they need to be we decided to breed our latest gilt Moo Shu. Unfortunately, various things conspired to make that not happen. We still have her at the moment so she can be friends with our new sow.

Which leads me to our new sow, Truffle, who should arrive Tuesday or Wednesday. :clapShe is already bred and should farrow at the end of June. They told me they had 3 other sows in with the boar so not to expect a large litter. They also are not exactly sure on breed date so it will be fun figuring out when the farrowing will actually occur. :hu This will be her 3rd farrowing.

Both Moo Shu and Truffle are Red Wattle's. Moo Shu is not registered but Truffle is. We may end up breeding Moo Shu to an Old Spot boar but we will see.

This is Moo Shu when she was picked up last fall.

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This is Moo Shu getting her belly rubbed after getting locked in a stall when our electric fence went down this spring.

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dejavoodoo114

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I just got some pics of Truffle from the breeders! This just made me more impatient to go get her!

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wow! She's a real looker!
 

dejavoodoo114

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After they sent the pictures they said they may have gotten the estimated farrowing date wrong... They want me to get her as soon as possible so she is here at least a week or more before farrowing. But I have a fitting for my friends wedding tomorrow as well as her daughter's graduation. Today I had to stay here to follow my husband who was driving a friends backhoe back to our place and be the blinking/hazard lights after the sun set. Took an hour to go 15 miles, not too bad. Sunday we have multiple people coming over... Monday, may be recovering from Sunday....

I think I may try to get her very early Sunday so we don't have to worry. They said from yesterday to today she looked like she grew a months worth. Her belly grew/dropped and milk showed up, (milk line???:hu). Fun times. At least we got everything ready today while waiting for our friend to tell us he was home so we could get the backhoe!
 

dejavoodoo114

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:he :he:he So my fitting was canceled and I contacted the breeder. I was going to pick her up today. BUT after watching her they think she is too close to move! They said Truffle and her piglets would still be mine if I want to pick them up when the piglets are a month old.

This concerns me more than I care to admit... Our pigs were always raised from piglets. They have manners. For example: They don't leave their mouths anywhere around our feet or ankles. If they want scratches or attention they have to be looking up towards us with their heads raised. Too often boots are not worn so this is important... ANYWAY, I had hoped for a few weeks to get to know her and for her to get to know us before piglets were thrown into the mix. Red Wattles are calm hogs but they are still hogs...

4 years of owning pigs and while I wasn't concerned about bringing in a bred sow I AM concerned about this... And I can't quite put my finger on it... Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated!
 

misfitmorgan

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Sorry to hear about the troubles with Truffle. As soon as i saw the pictures i was thinking that pig doesnt look like she will wait until the end of june to farrow. I don't really have any advice as we have never moved a sow and her piglets all at once any great distance unless they were 3-4 months old.
 

dejavoodoo114

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We decided not to get her. I am not up for trying something like that yet. We will wait a bit and try and find another bred sow.
 

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