Finally...We Have Piggies!

Hello farm friends, remember these two? Well, I can’t believe this day has finally come. The day I get to announce the birth of our very first litter of kunekune piglets. We’ve been hoping and praying but still we’ve not been100 percent sure for many weeks. The vet came about a month ago and gave the green light. He informed us he was 90 percent sure Pansy was pregnant. Ninety percent is very strong but that 10 percent kept nagging at me. I was the doubter, farmer was certain, unquestioning and steadfast: "She’s pregnant,” he said.

The last three days I knew farmer was right. We googled articles, pictures and videos and all the signs were there. We prepared the delivery area and a separate area for the piglets to lay under a heated lamp just like the articles said. We placed fresh straw in the stall, put our heat lamps in place and began our waiting game. Thanks to our barn video camera we were able to monitor our baby Pansy, at any time.

According to the articles and videos we knew to be on the lookout for milk from her teats, which is supposed to appear within 24 hours prior to the birth, yet we saw no milk. This told me we had more time, farmer said no, it’s gonna happen anytime now.

Yesterday morning he went to check on Pansy. As he neared the barn door he heard a squeal and the second he opened the door he saw a new little piglet in the straw. It had begun, the first piglet had arrived. He ran back to the house and quickly roused myself and farmer’s daughter. We were out the door in lightning speed with still cameras, video cameras, scissors, towels and paper towels--we were ready. We arrived just in time for piggy number two and didn’t leave her side until all six were born and feeding calmly next to her. All in all it took her about one-and-one-half hours to give birth to her babies.

She had six gilts and two boars, all double wattled and great conformation. We will be posting pictures soon of each piglet with more detail. They will spend the next six weeks with mama and then they will be ready to go to their forever homes. If you are interested, let us know by e-mailing: verdefarms@gmail.com or calling my line at 304-634-6435.

It was an amazing experience and we were all overwhelmed with excitement, joy and most of all love. A barn full of love. Love in those new little hearts beating, love in Pansy’s eyes as she looked at her new babies, and love between all of us for being a part of it.

 Happy September!