First piglets born....

[reneeprice]

Whew..... Last night was nerve racking
Our first potbelly pig, farrowed for the first time.
It doesn't matter how much read it's never what you think.
She started nesting yesterday. About 11 she destroyed her pen and we had to bring her in my just framed laundry room.
We hurried and threw bedding all over the floor with an old blanket. She again nested and began contracting hard at about 2 am. I thought it'd be fast but we were waiting to call the Vet when it opened at 7:30 when we noticed the first piglet.
The two after births didn't come out until 4 hours later. Again, completely different than what I read.
I'm tired but still afraid to leave them alone. lol

 

[reneeprice]

Whew..... Last night was nerve racking
Our first potbelly pig, farrowed for the first time.
It doesn't matter how much read it's never what you think.
She started nesting yesterday. About 11 she destroyed her pen and we had to bring her in my just framed laundry room.
We hurried and threw bedding all over the floor with an old blanket. She again nested and began contracting hard at about 2 am. I thought it'd be fast but we were waiting to call the Vet when it opened at 7:30 when we noticed the first piglet.
The two after births didn't come out until 4 hours later. Again, completely different than what I read.
I'm tired but still afraid to leave them alone. lol

BTW.... She had 8 piglets.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Congratulations! And, yes - the pig probably forgot to read the book so she didn't follow instructions, lol! Looks like she did a good job though... enjoy your litter!

 

[reneeprice]

Congratulations! And, yes - the pig probably forgot to read the book so she didn't follow instructions, lol! Looks like she did a good job though... enjoy your litter!

Thanks! The piggies are all sleeping next to her now. She seems to be a good mom already. I wonder if she's still supposed to be shaking though.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

I'm not much of a pig person...have raised them, but haven't bred them.

Does she have a temp?

When my goats deliver kids, I try to give them some warm water with molasses in it after they've kidded. They always slurp it right down and it's supposed to give them energy and get their blood sugar back up after a hard labor. I don't think it would hurt to offer her some.

I read that they may or may not eat for the first 24 hours after farrowing, but that water should be available free choice.

Pig folks - feel free to chime in here!

 

[reneeprice]

I'm not much of a pig person...have raised them, but haven't bred them.

Does she have a temp?

When my goats deliver kids, I try to give them some warm water with molasses in it after they've kidded. They always slurp it right down and it's supposed to give them energy and get their blood sugar back up after a hard labor. I don't think it would hurt to offer her some.

I read that they may or may not eat for the first 24 hours after farrowing, but that water should be available free choice.

Pig folks - feel free to chime in here!

Thanks again. She's quit shaking and has drank a good amount of water. She seems settled and I'm watching her. I will definitely add some molasses to her next bowl of water.

 

[Baymule]

What a bunch of cuties! Try telling a "city person" how cute a baby pig is, and you get a blank stare..... They are cute and what a good mom!

 

[reneeprice]

She and the piglets are doing well. Mamma ate and drank well. She's very careful with her babies and I think we're about over the stress and trauma of "our" first farrow.

 

[jk47]

Glad your gilt didn't have any problems and don't forget the iron shots for your piglets. I'm expecting a litter this January so I get the worrying never know in tell its over and a little bit after. Also I'm not sure with your skill level with pigs are so this might be old to you but sows can get aggressive after farrowing

 

[M.L. McKnight]

Good job with your litter! I was tickled pink with my first batch on the ground so I know the feeling.

Your sow will turn from the cute cuddly pet pig she was into a four legged land shark of a beast when those pigs get to squealing (my Red Wattle sow nearly got me a time or two with her first litter) so be careful and have fun with them.