February 24, 2016

Nine Piglets!

Polly farrowed early this morning, sometime right before chores. She had nine piglets!




Dan discovered them when he went out to feed the pigs. I hurried to finish my goat chores and got there as Polly delivered the placenta.


A typical American Guinea Hog litter is six to ten. Last time she had six, so we're increasing production!

I fed her treats, praised her, and gave her a good back rub, but didn't check sexes of the new babies. There will be time for that later. Just happy that all went well and is well.

And, because I can't resist, here are a couple of non-piglets.


Daphne's little guys are now one day old and getting the jumping bean feet. Their baby goat sweaters fit well, except I think for Kinders they don't need to be so long. I'll have a full blown fashion show soon.

Nine Piglets! © February 2016 by Leigh 

39 comments:

Perry - StoneHillRidge said...

Congrats again! Great start to what I am sure will be a busy spring.

Ed said...

It looks like a fine litter of fat little pigs. In my experience of pig farming with other breeds, the first litter will typically be small in number. The subsequent litters will have more pigs. I have never figured out why that is other than perhaps natures way of breaking in a new sow.

Mama Pea said...

It's obviously spring time on your homestead, Leigh. Babies all over the place. Glad to hear all went without a hitch for Polly and the Piggly Wigglies!

Leigh said...

Thanks Perry! I get a break until April, then it's kidding again.

Leigh said...

You're probably right about that. Interesting how things work themselves out without our interference.

Leigh said...

All we need is a ark so we don't all float away. :)

Unknown said...

For some reason I cant leave a comment so attaching it here. How wonderful they look so silky and gorgeous and do the little kids, dee

Renee Nefe said...

Yay!

PioneerPreppy said...

BACON BITS!!!!

Kate said...

Will you be selling the piglets? I'd be interested in buying a pair, this year or next.

Henny Penny said...

Oh my goodness! Look at those little black shiny piglets. They are simply adorable. So glad you have all these new babies and no problems.

Quinn said...

Congratulations Polly!!! Oh Leigh, I am a bit envious of you and Dan with all this baby-critterness :) Thanks for sharing!

Sandy Livesay said...

Leigh,

Congratulations on your new piglets!!! They're adorable......and so are your baby goats.

Kris said...

Yep, I'm taking all the credit for encouraging her on your last post. They are adorable! NINE! :-D

kymber said...

oh my goodness - those piglets are soooo cute! and those baby goats in their little sweaters - you must be having a blast watching all of the antics! congrats on lots of hard work and being so successful! do you plan on keeping all of the little piglets?

your friend,
kymber

Cozy Thyme Cottage said...

More babies!! Work but interesting! We are having a blizzard so it is a good thing they are born there! I have to shovel a path for Coco to go potty! Nancy

Jackie PN said...

Omgosh! How wonderful!! So happy to hear all is well and all are healthy!!
And i just Adore the pics of those kids in their sweaters!! Too cute!!
Jackie

DFW said...

Aww. So happy for you guys & Polly too!

Molly said...

Too much cuteness!!

Rain said...

Wonderful, they are adorable!

Seeking Serenity said...

Goodness sake! I leave for a couple days and there are babies everywhere!!! YAY !! So happy to see everything went smoothly

1st Man said...

YAY!!!! I was right it was Daphne followed closely by Polly! Woo hoo babies everywhere. It's a tough call to know which is cuter though...that piglet closeup is pretty adorable!!

Leigh said...

Delia, I've had several others tell me they have the same problem. Glad you figured out how to comment anyway!

They do look healthy, don't they?

Leigh said...

The wait seemed to be going on too long, but then, babies of all species don't worry about due dates.

Leigh said...

LOL. They will be!

Leigh said...

Yes, I'll be selling them and some will be for pork. They're ready to go at about 5 or 6 weeks old, which will be at the end of March. More will follow!

Leigh said...

I know, it is such a relief to have event-free deliveries!

Leigh said...

Nothing is more fun that baby critters. :)

Leigh said...

Thanks, Sandy!

Leigh said...

LOL. She definitely needed that. :)

Leigh said...

This is my favorite time of year, and I make sure to get plenty of baby watching time in. :)

Leigh said...

Poor Coco! Poor YOU! Sadly our temp just dropped after another inch of rain. Hopefully all the little 'uns are cozy with their mamas for the night.

Sarah said...

Congrats!!!!! What a great way to start the day!

Cassandra said...

Wow, I miss a few days and you've got babies EVERYWHERE! Congrats! :)

Farmer Barb said...

Oh, how you warmed my heart! Perhaps if the goats had been full on Nubians, the sweaters would have fit a little better in the length department! The colors make them look so perky!

badgerpendous said...

Fantastic! Not sure why, but it surprised me to see them all the same color like that. Congratulations! :)

Leigh said...

Oh my, I'm way behind on responding to comments. :o Most American Guinea Hogs are black, so it would be a treat if she had another color. I think there are "red" and "blue" as official colors to the breed too, but black is the most common.

Jake said...

Nice work, Polly and Daphne! (and Leigh, too, of course!)

Do the piglets get sweaters, too? ;-)

Debbie - Mountain Mama said...

Gorgeous pigs!!