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”
She may not be quite ready yet but the way she’s moving the cats, Charlotte sure is acting motherly. I do think it is a good sign. The coupe is really looking good. It won’t be long now. Better start making those housewarming party plans. 🙂
Been waiting all afternoon for a repairman. He was supposed to be here by 5:00. It’s not looking good. We’ll try again on Monday, I guess. Have a great night, Celi!
My pigs also build in the winter to keep warm. They’ll run around with mouthfuls of hay. Very cute.
I love the siding !!…My golden retriever had her pups in the bathtub,
grabbed the tubmat hopped in an had eight pups..do not let her in the house !!
Always look forward to reading your daily communication and appreciate you taking
time for us !!
how sweet that she took the bathmat in there with her!! And no.. No pigs in the house.. yet! c
Our renovations took 5 months and I was totally fed up with the whole thing towards the end, especially the builder’s son’s music and having a long drop out in the paddock whilst the bathroom was done 😦 but a wonderful result in the end. You have to love a builder who takes pride in his work and never once complained about dogs laying right under their feet at every opportunity. Joy
Oh the dog thing!! Blue has fallen in love with the builder and follows him around giving him googly eyes! Well if you could survive 5 months then i am sure I can survive 6, but that is all.. c
Wonderful pics especially Charlotte and the garden… can’t wait to see the finished photos of the Coupe…our afghan used to nest even after she’d been speyed, and when it was time to be on heat, we’d know because she’d start trying to make a nest…
I had no idea that pigs make nests, and would have thought it a joke, except that you explain it all so beautifully and carefully. I keep learning new things from your blog all the time. I hope it all goes well and you have just the right number of piglets – oh, and the workmen finish soon. I know the feeling. It’s like handing over your house, and this handover has gone on far too long.
Juliet (I’m on my laptop at the bach and it doesn’t recognise me)
Another perfectly titled post lands in my google reader! Makes me snort coffee outta my nose…
I wonder if I should start a business as a provider of pig nesting materials?
Surely flying pigs would nest in trees. That means providing trees, too, for owners of flying pigs. Hmmm. Endless possibilities.
One of the greatest pleasures of renovations is when they stop.