Our pig is pregnant? Isn’t that exciting. Poppy the Hereford gilt (a gilt is a female pig who has not had piglets yet) wishes to announce (though she would prefer NOT to discuss her insides) that she has missed her first heat since being bred. We have had such a long run of missed breedings, both bovine and porcine, that I am still hedging my bets and in fact my Mentor of all things Pig said she would NOT have bet on it. But the signs are there. No returning heat and extreme laziness and gentleness. She has not bashed at the gate once! She is a very laid back pig all of a sudden.
So .. we may yet get piglets. YAY. (a very little Yay not wanting to jinx it). Touch wood – Dance around three times on one leg in a westerly direction, throw salt over my shoulder and all that. What’s your favourite superstition to avert bad luck? – ok do that one!
Sorry there is no picture of Poppy making her announcement but things were busy, busy today. No doubt she will be in front of Camera House today.
The incubator eggs have finished being turned and are safely shut into the Snug. Door shut – no visiting dogs. The table heater is on and in the brooder box warming and waiting. The eggs are due to hatch on Monday (though as we know from the incident of the Accident chickens sometimes they hatch early). My International visitors are hoping that they hatch early!
I am thoroughly enjoying having young people staying again. The girls worked hard all day. Happy to pitch in anywhere. Being from three different countries (Hong Kong, Korea and Japan) they all speak English to each other and are endlessly comparing words and foods from their homes. And yes tomorrow they are cooking!
They are fascinated by the animals. And will drop anything they are doing to ride around to the West barn in the truck. They love being on the back of the truck, even in yesterdays cold blustery weather. There am I all alone in the front sat in solitary splendour as two dogs and three girls ride on the back. And being a Mother I drive slowly, slowly, afraid that someone will fall off. Mothers! No fun!
They are even a wee bit disappointed that today should be warmer and we will be Walking to the barn instead. But they will catch that magic too. There is a kind of magic here. I just let it happen. You can see the farm on the prairies moving across their faces like a bright cloud with a string. Slowly, slowly the visitors drift upwards their tethers dropping like ropes from a hot air balloon. Then they laugh. Working on a real farm is the most natural work in the world. It is my favourite gift.
The sheep have finally been sold. It is sad to see off the three sheep and sad that I am no longer a sheep farmer. This New Zealander loves sheep you see. But the end came. We had a lovely run and as you know when Mama the big sheep died the heart of my sheep enterprise died with her. Sad but true. And we really do not have the room for three big sheep pets. Life keeps renewing itself, just like our voices. We have been in a wee slump for a while now but I have a feeling the farmy and I are climbing back up out of it.
Whitney that shot of the big rock is for you!
I hope you have a lovely day,
Your friend on the farm
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
60 responses to “How to tell if your pig is pregnant”
The girls look so happy with their big smiles, such a pleasure to see when I was reading your post this morning with my first coffee! It must be quite a change for them to be on the farm with it’s wide open spaces and freedom all around them. But we all know that the farmy has it’s own magic, and it’s working on the girls!
Fingers crossed for Poppy.
luky lovely girls, getting Boo kisses. Did they all know eah other before oming to the Farmy. { the 3rd letter of the alphabet key is not working on my laptop, it’s hard to write without it 🙂 } Good wishes and prayers for Poppy.
I know all about those wonky keys! the girls all go to University together in Milwaukee.. c
Three beautiful helpers – you, and they are so lucky! Good strong likely lasses, I hope they make a huge difference for themselves and the farmy. Sorry to hear no more sheep. Maybe the goats will help.
There certainly IS something about a farm that touches people’s hearts! Everyone who ever visited our farm found it very relaxing and left feeling refreshed. I’ve been in a bit of a ”slump’ too. I think the slant of the spring sun reminds me of the not-too-long-ago days of ‘maple sugaring’ on our farm and all the visitors, fun and food we all shared. But soon I’ll be able to get my hands into the rich soil of my gardens once again …. as soon as the rest of the snow melts. (I”ve got three packages of new dahlia tubers next to my back door… just waiting for the right day!)
waiting to plant is the longest wait of all.. us too .. but it is warming up.. soon i hope you and I can get our hands into the soil.. c
darling girls what fun; I wish them a warm welcome and a wonderful visit!
I remember when my second daughter brought a friend home from college. She was from China. We took Echo to a dairy farm and she was just thrilled. What a memorable experience you are giving these young women of rural America. I can’t think of a better teacher.
Oh no, Marcel is gone??????
What happy farmy pictures on Easter Sunday morning: well, it is here – sunny, but we have just lost our Summer Daylight and the longer night to sleep in just past won’t make up for the evening darkness! What a happy crew you are . . .thank the girls for allowing full photos – daresay Moms and Dads back in the East are glad of those smiles. And who knows how to court them? That four-legged charmer!!! Have a fabulous time and we’ll keep our fingers and toes crossed for a soft and sleepy Poppy . . .
[…] How to tell if your pig is pregnant – THEKITCHENSGARDEN: […]
The girls do look like hard workers. Good to see them having fun, too. Love the shot in the back of the truck.
Beginning and endings all in one day. Beginning of a long friendship hopefully for the girls and an ending to sheep farming. A beginning of Poppy’s motherhood (lifting my eyes to the skies with a little prayer is my good luck practice) and hopefully an ending of WINTER for you all.
yes, i do feel like we are finally turning the corner and entering the race through summer – this summer will be great!
Thank goodness for the Easter long weekend so I can catch up on my blog friends’ lives! Quiet congrats on Poppy! The girls look so bubbly and happy to be doing farm work. And why not!! Onward and upward, Miss C and the farmy!!!
What a pleasure to see those young happy faces & to know you have such bright help. And that Poppy is pregnant. My fingers & toes are all crossed.
The joy of farming that you are giving to those girls is priceless! My eyes are filled with tears at the thought of someone else catching the farming bug and experiencing what we love. You are creating memories and life changing moments for young people. You are an inspiration.