The day was toddling along like it does. 
The new lambs saw their first sun.
Though it was still a wee bit chilly.
Look at this cheeky baby, lambs just hit the ground running.
Whereas kittens hit the ground sleeping. 
Then we received the call that Charlotte had completed.. um.. relations with the boar (witnessed – like royalty) and was ready to come home. So we hitched up the trailer and raced over in high excitement to escort Her Royal Pregnantness home but she was Doing a Daisy and making sure we all knew that she was in a brilliantly bad mood.
She barked all the way home and once she was released she immediately yelled at Sheila for letting the house get all messy, kicked her out into the yard and proceeded to do the housekeeping. Then she ate everything in sight, drunk half a bucket of water and went to bed.
When I went out to do the first of the night feeds she had let Sheila back in and they were both fast asleep in the deep straw. 
I had a cool discussion with the swine herd when he asked me if I had a farrowing crate. No I said, I have a lovely big pen with plenty of room for everyone. She will kill the piglets he said, lying on them. You have to keep her in the cage for at least a week, there is room for her to lie down and the piglets come and go, he said.
If she kills her piglets she is a bad mother and won’t be bred again. I said. I will give them plenty of space. We will do it the natural way. We have room.
You can bring a crate into the barn, he said. They are so heavy the pig cannot move them though, he said. They are made of iron.
I gave him two big jars of honey. He would not accept money for the stud fee. He is a kind man really, but different, with other ideas. I am sure he meant well. And I am also sure that he thinks I am bonkers, but he thinks it kindly. We are different that is all.
Ah well, I said, not wishing to continue the conversation. We climbed back into the red truck with our honking pig in the trailer and looked at each other. What did the old farmers do, John said. I am pretty sure they did not bring farrowing crates across on their wagons.
The pig builds itself a nest of straw and sticks, I said.
Make sure we save her a couple of bales. Said John, putting the truck into gear. This pig is going to need a pretty big nest.
Good morning. Everyone was in bed early yesterday, the day had been coated in white stars and sunshine, and the full moon turned the night into a paradise of gently snoring softness. I was full of contentment as I crunched over the ice with my bottles of warm milk doing my rounds. TonTon carrying the torch beside me.
Put a circle around June 17 for Charlotte. This will be her time, give or take two or three days either side. A pig is pregnant for three months, three weeks and three days. About.
Have a lovely day. We have another gorgeous sunny day in store, I might let the lambs out for a gallop in the fields. But first the milking.
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
62 responses to “Charlotte came home and she is in a right mood!”
Celi I just gave Good Husband a brief synopsis of the return of Charlotte. Then I mentioned the suggestion of the farrowing crate. Without missing a beat he said “that’s not going to happen on Celi’s Farmy”. It does sound rather like “the iron maiden”. Virginia
Funny old pig you are, Charlotte! I hope you don’t squash your babies!
Way to go letting the animals figure things out. I’m not so sure our modern farming is always the best for the animals. They’re smarter than we give them credit for.
I’m so glad Charlotte is home…I was worried about her and I’m sure you’ll figure out the best way for her to have her piglets and it won’t be in some tiny, little cramped cage! 😦 That photo of lamby looking through the gate at one of the cats is priceless…look at his sweet little eye trying to figure out what that other fur thing is! 🙂
Congratulations to Charlotte! I think she will be a fine momma – good for you allowing her to do it the way it was intended to be done.
And I very much love your description of the day coated in stars and sunshine…
Okay, so while I read about your plans for a “natural” pig birth, I am looking at baby sheep wearing coats that you made them. I’m thinking it won’t much matter where the piglets are born because Grandma Ceci will be there to put handmade booties on them, tuck each one in a blanket, and make sure they’re all sleeping out of harm’s way. Which is one reason why I love reading your blog. The other reason is the peafowl. I so miss mine.
Charlotte is behaving just the way our dogs did on the rare occasions we left them in kennels while we were away ( usually we went away i shifts so the dogs didn’t have to board!)
Crates for poor old pigs are why I don’t eat pork or bacon any more… the misery of factory farming is something that so few people seem to know about.
Thank heaven for the farmy and a few happy creatures…
It’s disgusting the way pigs in large commercial farms in some countries get treated, kept in farrowing crates so tight they’re unable to turn round, repeatedly inseminated and made to have litter after litter on concrete floors without a sight of sunlight. I make sure to buy free range bacon because I hate the thought of it. Glad your pigs have a different life.
Welcome home, Charlotte! I bet Sheila was happy to see her — as soon as Charlotte’s mood brightened a bit. What, no afterglow? Great pics of the lambs, today.
I hope one of your readers helps you find a better way to protect the piglets than a farrow crate. There has to be a better way. Have a great night, Celi!
Oh my, isn’t it going to be fun during the months to come on the farmy! Healthy babes everywhere: what a wonderful daily show and learning experience all of us ‘city slickers/ignoramuses’ are going to have! Actually wonder what Sheila feels about all of this: daresay Charlotte will keep on feeling ‘uppity’ and then her shape will begin changing . . . hmm, at least no mirrors for comparison 😀 !
I think most people dont realise what some animals have to endure so we get the food we like. Your blog is educational as well as entertaining and I love it. Joy
I truly believe that we need to know where the food comes from. look your dinner in the eye if you will.. it definitely mitigates overeating!! c
When Charlotte is thinking of feeding the piglets she will make little come here grunts at the same time as she is lowering herself to the ground, this is the precarious time for the piglets and good if they can get under the rail. Unlike most other baby animals the piglets dont snuggle up to mum for warmth and will need a space away from mum with no draghts and plenty of warmth (In the wild mum will build a nest and pop the babies in it). In domestic situaions a pile of straw is ok if Mum doesn’t get on it too, but usually it is a wee corner of the pen called a creep where the piglets can stay warm and safe. Often it has a lamp over it as well, but I know how unsafe you feel they are in your barn so plenty of warm straw would do. I think you had something like it for the lambs. This is also a good place to start the piglets on solids without Charlotte nicking it.
that is an excellent idea, i have a creep for the lambs too or Mama will eat all their food, i will make a plan.. thank you! all advice is welcome!
You made my day with the “like royalty” reference. Too funny.
You have such a beautiful perspective on those you disagree with. Way to be!
life is full of people who we do not agree with, sometimes they are the ones who teach us the most, sometimes we just need to let them be and miserably sometimes we need to loudly disagree.. thank goodness this is not one of those times.. .. c
I am so glad that you agreed to disagree on the farrowing crate . . . and that you parted on good terms. Also lovely that he got some honey in return for being so helpful with Charlotte.
June 16th in our wedding anniversary. If the piglets are born then, please do NOT name one after me.