Big momma farrowed in the woods at the edge of the pasture. 9 total, 2 stillborn. We ended up moving her from where she'd chosen into a shelter on the grass. Where she'd chosen was very damp and just moving around had converted more of the ground into mud, which was chilling the piglets. She lost 3 of them, so was down to 4 total when we moved them. Since the move sow and piglets are doing fine. This is the hard part of pastured pork. It's tough picking up the little ones, and having the sneaking suspicion that if this birth had happened in a farrowing pen you wouldn't have lost them.
Well, maybe that's so, but your pigs are living a natural life. The kind of life not many pigs get to enjoy. So take heart. You're doing the right thing.
ReplyDeleteDoes pastured pork mean one cannot bring them in a little closer when their due date is coming up? Is the farrowing pen that contraption they keep the sow in at the fair so she wont squish the babies? or is it more like a stall, suppose I could look that all up, but I moved my sheep today and they didn't wanna so I am exhausted!
ReplyDeleteDid she have enough hay for her nest? We are due to farrow early august---will likely move her to the barn with an outside run...
ReplyDeleteTHat will offer room, warm dry areas and space...