If pigs have the materials available they will build a birthing nest for their piglets. Even pigs farrowing in confinement show signs of attempting to gather materials. Chewing at bars and trying to rip away the sides of their pens. It is all very ancient but although Charlotte is in the barn, and not outside in the wild, I am hoping that Charlotte will make a nest for us to see.
Here is one from Sugar Mountain. This is my go to site for all things pig. I would love for Charlotte to farrow outside but I do not have the acreage. They walk into the grass for a munch every day but sleep in the barn at night so hopefully Charlotte will build her nest in a corner of the barn. The nest building usually happens within 24 hours of the birth. And I am going to let her choose where in the barn to farrow. She is very comfortable and calm in there. Until then Author is minding the nest building materials.
I remember in the last week or so of pregnancy with each of my own five children, I would embark on spring cleaning and rearranging of furniture which almost always involved shifting a piano. And always by myself. But Charlotte is really not in the mood for building nests yet. Rearranging the furniture is certainly not on her mind. Sleep is.
Mostly she just shuffles heavily about the three big barn pens that are open to her, trying out this one and that one. Often sleeping in the corridor in the breeze. All are clean (she always goes outside to her toilet). Sheila has taken herself to live in the pig palace in the Middle Field which is full of lovely mud at the moment. But Charlotte is back in the barn now sleeping with small cats. I frequently see her move into a barn room and gently relocate the cats with her nose so she can lie down safely. I have high hopes of her being a good mother. Ten days to go to her date.
As well as Charlotte the potatoes are loving this extended cool spring.
Everything looks much larger in a photograph. I am hoping that the men will be finished on The Little House by the end of this month. I am starting to get a wee bit frazzled by having workmen in the house every day. I need my home back. But they are doing a beautiful careful job and are justifiably proud of their achievement.
Good morning.
I hope you all have a lovely day.
your friend, celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
51 responses to “Pigs build Nests just like Birds but not in a Tree”
Lots of progress on the coop!
uh, a pigs nest! looking forward to that =)
how are the peahen eggs doing?
morning cat, 3 eggs still under giraffe and Tui has so far laid SIX! maybe I should put another three under another hen! c
You’ll soon be having a peacock ranch!
terrifying! c
Amazing that an animal has the instinct to know what to do when . . . that a home is needed . . . ! Oh, after all that rotten weather ’tis lovely to see all the flowers blooming: roses, yes – but that is not lavender?
there is a lot of lavender but i think you are seeing the Salvia, it grows like a weed and the bees LOVE it..
Good morning, c. The house is coming along splendidly. Well done to your chippies. My boys knocked-off early today for fear of being struck by lightning. We had a very impressive storm stall overhead for about an hour. Happily the mountain of topsoil is covered well, so we’re not watching it ooze its way into the gutters. Happy weekend to you!
We had one like that in the night last night, and I had to drag myself from my bed of sickness to unplug everything, Jock at last being free to sleep the sleep of the exhausted man at the top of the brownie point ladder. Then blow me but there was another fierce one this afternoon.
Good morning (it’s goodnight from me) to all Farmy friends. I did enjoy this post, every pic a treasure.
ViV x
Oh! I will be away when Charlotte has her litter, but I can read about it — and see pictures — when I get back. I go to France on Wednesday and will be away until the 26th. By that time you should have piglets running around on the expanding farmy, Lovely picture of Author in the building materials.
Aaah the days before labour! Although 40 years since my last child I still remember the ‘run-up’. Every night going to bed wondering if I will wake with pains. Checking and re-checking I had everything I needed for the new babe. And like you, moving, cleaning and rearranging furniture! Personally I am glad those days are over for me LOL.
Lots and Lots of rain here, and more on the way today. Getting hit by the first tropical storm of the season. Reminds me a lot of England, grey overcast and tipping rain. My potatoes have recovered from the deer topping them off and are at least 2 feet tall at this stage – been mounding like crazy. Question – apart from storing in sacks in cool and dark, any other suggestions for keeping spuds? Can I chip and freeze them? I mean you can buy frozen chips so how are they processed, any ideas?
Now piggy is getting ready to pop… be thankful she doesn’t want to come and rearrange your furniture in the house… might get the builder moving… Love the look of the coop really taking shape now….
Charlotte looks like I did in the last weeks of pregnancy!
Walt’s the best, isn’t he? Of course, he and Holly have an entire mountain for their piggies! 😀
Have a great day – we’re doing Inside Things while we wait for this tropical storm to move through…
Good morning Celi; the day will be almost to the day for the pig. the house siding looks fantastic, the flowers are beautiful the day brings promise and blessings have a blessed day mike
Wonderful piece.
I hope she settles in to being a Momma.
i had no idea that pigs nest but it makes sense. the coupe is looking great. what kind of siding is that which i see?
Corrugated iron!! Isn’t it wonderful. Johns side has barn siding and my side has corrugated iron, i said how on earth do we stay married?>! c
lovely pics and pigs as always. nice to see your renovations – what a beautiful luxurious farm you’ll have!
Mother nature is so very clever! Lovely shots, especially liked those gorgeous flowers 🙂
How brilliant that you’re all busy nesting and renovating together! Your garden looks so gorgeously colourful.