In the piglets farrowing chamber there are two creeps. A creep is a space that only the baby animal can enter. both these creeps have plenty of dry straw and a warm light.
Molly’s piglets decided to make their own. They found a space between the big old sliding door and the wall that had not quite closed when it was shut up on the day of their birth. So when I went out yesterday afternoon three wee piglets were outside and asleep behind Molly’s big water bath.
So – going with the flow, I I blocked their escape further, added a small dog house and some straw and watched them stream in and out of the gap to play out in their own little creep.
It will be dismantled today though as I have decided to open the big door to the outside run a day early. Molly is panting hard, presumably with the heat and we need to get some more direct air in there. I hope her panting is from the heat – everything else seems fine with her – this rapid breathing is worrying me. It is hot but not as hot as it can get during August, she should not be in this amount of stress. She is eating and drinking heaps though and happy for me to move in and out of the big pen keeping it clean so once she settles I think she will do fine. She will be happy to get access to her outside toilet anyway.
The chicks get their outside door opened today too. They are growing fast. The weather is still, hot and humid. It is unusual to go this long without a breeze out here on the prairies. We are all feeling exhausted from it. The still overcast heat is oppressive.
Another positive side of opening the big door is that the piglets will get more light for having their photos taken! (You can tell I am tired already – my sentences are so weird!). They will all be closed back in at night.
I hope you have a lovely day.
Love celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
32 responses to “The Creep”
Aren’t those just the sweetest faces, and clever too … and is that a rooster in the making down below? We have wild August winds here today, will try to wish a cooling breeze your way. Laura
What beautiful little creatures! I adore pigs.Here in Germany they are everywhere ❤
Beautiful, clever, little piglets. Poor Molly though. I’m curious: when you are worried about something such as her panting, how long do you typically wait before talking to or summoning a vet?
I bet those three piglets turn out to be the naughty ones 🙂
Those piglets are just adorable! I would love to kiss their little ears! Much love, Your Gayle
Look at the intelligence in those days-old eyes… No wonder they’re striking out on their own already. And we have to remember the antics of their granny and mama. I don’t think the introduction of Manu’s genes will have counteracted those generations of naughtiness. Their piglet fuzz and delicate pink ears and white eyelashes are so very endearing…
That last photo speaks of “tenacity” to me! All little critters are made of of much more than we give them credit for… all by tapping into instinct. Your observance of Molly’s breathing and every little nuance of her recovery and the weather conditions parallels with my own inner mother where the wild things are concerned. Hey, weird is GREAT!!
How adoreable! Are you planning to keep all or sell some?
Hopefully it cools down a bit soon for Molly and all at the farm.
Morning Nadia. All the piglets will be sold plus a few raised as plonkers. Manu is their father so there is no point keeping any to breed.
I see that you are making good use of the bee supers in the chick house! There is an excellent use for just about everything on the farm, isn’t there? 🙂
Do kick back a bit when you can, so as to enjoy to the fullest all the wonderful things happening in the moment! xo
Funny how animals think they know better than us when we think we’ve provided them with everything they need. Hope you get a breeze on the prairie.
Our lack of wind and rain has felt oppressive. Thank you for sharing the piglets. It helps.
aaww I hope mommy is okay. It is hot though – really hot. And then on top of it to have all the baby piglets surrounding her. Wish I was there to help my friend. I’m sure Uncle Bacon could piggy sit. XOXO – Bacon
I opened the door for her this morning and just that little bit more air has improved her demeanor. We will just have to cross our fingers that the babies behave with all that extra space!
Such sweethearts !
Baby pigs just steal my heart!
Nice one cecila