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”
All I can say is “Yes”! Can’t wait to hear about the food these young women will prepare!
Just a quiet little Yay! Yippee.
Have a beautiful day C.
🙂 Mandy xo
Oh, great news about Poppy! And those helper girls ROCK! Isn’t it great to score workers with SMILES?? Have a fabulous weekend! 🙂
My favorite “warding off” ritual is to knock on wood. Or to simply say, “Don’t jinx it”.
There is something calming about working around animals. I also feel like I’ve really accomplished something when working outdoors.
So exciting to hear about Poppy! I will do the dancing around 3 times in a westerly direction! I’ve never heard of such of thing, but it sounds like Big Fun to do!!! No doubt the Internationals Farmhands are having an experience of a lifetime!!! And ‘Hurray’ for warmer weather!!!! xo
On one foot, did I forget to say on one foot!? c
Quietly now…YAY Poppy Pig! Happy helpers having great fun and learning- you are teaching the farm life Miss C, exactly as it should be. I am curious. Is there any college or university within a reasonable distance to you that also has an agricultural program? Looking at these ladies made me think of how amazing a joint venture might be between the farmy and ag students who want to learn other than ‘modern’ farming methods.
yes there are .. it would be a good place to leave a note just to say they are welcome anyway. I would learn from them i am sure.. c
Exciting times on the farmy – little green shoots of spring and hope are all around 🙂
What a great day it will be. There is nothing like hard work on a farm to make one feel totally alive. Those young ladies will change the world with what they are learning from you. I believe it will be women who make the difference in the end. They look so happy and full of promise. Your photos make me want to be out of doors as well.
I think not even I could shift that big rock by hand! Now, what I need, see, is a photo of you in your Whitney Brown Stone shirt by the big rock! You know, since you post so many selfies… But a girl can dream. More importantly, come on, Poppy! x
John brings me rocks for presents, the big loader at work puts them on his truck then he gets out his little tractor to move them, this one resisted all efforts and might just have to stay where it has landed.. I have so many rocks Whitney, i am sure you could build a magnificent haha using these rocks.. but when!? and How? and Why are you so far away! c
How funny, before he retire my John brought me rocks too, as well as old old pavers and of all things, marbles! I always appreciated the ones he brought even though we have a huge gravel esker running behind the house! Lots of rocks there.
A very quiet congratulations! Yesterday was gorgeous and around 15C but today is cold again. I can’t wait to get out int the garden.
No superstition I will just pray for Poppy..that will definitely work!
As you can guess I am sorry to hear that the sheep have gone, such cute animals but as I have said I am no farmer lady…I am a pet gatherer…
It is good to see that the girls are all enjoying their farmstay.. I know that they work hard, we have never been disappointed with the helpers we have had…but three girls cooking..are you bonkers! It will be fun but chaotic and messy
love to all including the cooks
I remember the baby piglets nursing on our farm in Germany. Good luck with Poppy, I’ll do the dance and knock on wood. Happy farming with all your visitors.
Little (yay) for Poppy! Maybe she will be just the opposite of Charlotte when her piglets arrive if she has already taken on a mild, laid back character now! Oh, can’t wait for piglets! Yes, your girls look as if they’ve been sprinkled with magic Farmy dust! Wonderful! Please tell the Korean contingent that one of the Fellowship goes out every week for Korean lunch because we love it so much! We do try and prepare it at home but just not the same. There is always a big jar of Kim Chee in the refrigerator because we can’t eat rice without it! 🙂 Maybe she’ll make you some tomorrow!
Happy Easter!
I hate to be indelicate, but in Italy, for good luck, a man must touch his, mmmm, testicles. Not naked, just through his pants. My husband is often letting his fingers drift down, quickly and unnoticed, to bring about some good luck or other. I’ll ask him to do it for your piggy. The girls are darling. They look quite at home! I’d love to be there for the cooking. My mother used to have some lovely vietnamese students, and they would come over and cook us the most amazing dishes. Happy eating!!
Tell your husband .. umm.. thank you! (laughter!!) c
snorted my tea…..what an interesting ritual, would love to know the origin of that. *laughing still*
You do have a a cute farm crew. They will never forget this experience. You have changed the world. Easy peasy!
Enjoying sun and mild weather today – hope your world is hoppy!
(Oh, found a couple of blogs I was searching for about Twitter and social media – might be something of interest for you with these bloggers?)
Chris’ quick guide and instructions: http://thestoryreadingapeblog.com/2015/01/23/how-to-create-perfect-posts-on-social-platforms/
WriterChrisfisher’s links for Twitter TIps: https://writerchristophfischer.wordpress.com/2015/02/20/twitter-tips/
Kristen Lamb’s “Social media a waste of time for writers? Think again” (She always has the scoop stuff) https://warriorwriters.wordpress.com/2015/01/20/social-media-is-a-waste-of-time-for-writers-hmmm-think-again/
OK, I promise, that’s al the “helpful links” Easy to get overwhelmed, but saving for later is good?
Bye, bye sheep – we’ll count you in our sleep! (turning the page)