Today was one of those days that are best in the past for today we buried twelve newborn piglets. The day started well, a bright sunny winters
day with the tantalising promise of new life. Petunia came out for her morning
feed and it was obvious her time was close, her pendulous udder was swollen and
tight with milk steadily dripping from her teats, tiny white splashes
sprinkling on the ground.
This was her second litter; she had raised twelve piglets
last time so I was hopeful of fourteen or more this time around. Somewhere in the birthing process something
went wrong, the first four piglets were stillborn, perfectly formed, an ideal
size, just no sign of life. The fifth offered hope, a little red saddleback
boar only just alive, but hope was cut short as another six stillbirths quickly
followed by another briefly clinging to life.
Then for reasons unknown, the final piglet, ironically the runt of the
litter, was born in noisy robust health.
Tonight Petunia has settled down with just one piglet
out of thirteen, not a good start but better than nothing.
Oh my goodness, I am so truly sorry to read this. You must be devastated. I hope you and Petunia recover soon... this is heartbreaking news. I can so feel for you, and wish I was there go give you both a hug! I hope you both feel better soon, time is a great healer, and sadly sometimes these things happen and are out of our control. *Big hugs* - Jacqui
ReplyDeleteHi Jacqui. Yes we are very upset to say the least. We think we have worked out the problem after talking to someone who bred Wessex Saddlebacks for many years. Also we are now going to have our Sows farrowing in October and March when it's not so cold. It's a learning curve. Thanks for the cyber hugs. Cheers Michelle
DeleteSad news. For this very reason,I don't think I could be a farmer where so many random factors cause the death of livestock. We've got a fox plague & it must be heartbreaking finding dead lambs all over the paddock.
ReplyDeleteHi Roger. Yes we have been through this before with sheep and cattle having had properties in Western Queensland. Lucky we don't have a fox problem down here in Tassie and I hope we never see them here. When we get some sheep (can't wait as I love them) we are going to have a couple of alpaccas to keep guard just in case of dogs. Though nobody has had a problem here in G.P. with dogs that I know of. Better to be safe than sorry. Michelle.
DeleteHave you considered Damaras? They're so easy to manage.
ReplyDeleteHey Roger. Damara Sheep you mean ? They have no wool and I need wool for spinning. We are going to get some sheep possibly black face suffolk as they seem to be a good all rounder and they look good..........lol
DeleteI am so sorry to hear about Petunia's piglets :( I hope the one is doing well?
ReplyDeleteThanks so much A Country Chicken. Yes it's not good but next time we know not to overfeed the Mums. All Piglets are doing extremely well.
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