Because of the humidity and Molly’s (and my) distress at her slow recovery from the birth of eleven healthy piglets, I opened the big barn door on the side of her farrowing pen and held my breath. Usually I don’t let them all out until the piglets are a little older and the yard is a little cleaner. But Molly had to come out – no sun and no breeze is not conducive to health. The humidity and flies were beating us. She was just laying in that big pen panting.
She is a very sweet little mother.
And it worked, the tiny piglets began to play, Molly came out, spilled some water from her bucket and lay down on the damp concrete around her pig bath, the flies dissipated from the barn and the big pig family spent the whole day in their airy shady yard. Though Molly is still not terribly active she is feeding her brood well and they are growing fast and her breathing is returning to normal. I am giving her aspirin three times a day, she is getting a low fiber diet (lots of fiber increases body temps) and the swelling around her rear end is dropping. And she is eating to beat the band.
Last night the little pigs were all cuddled up in their little dog kennel just outside the barn door with their mother stretched out behind. Maybe this is ideal, maybe not, but if I think like a pig I know I cannot change this now. I have to leave them out there. The yard is piglet proofed. The dogs are watching for intruders.
The little pigs have created their pathways, they are confident and to change them would create confusion and confusion always results in an incident. They are safe and warm and Molly is feeding them outside. I am not happy with them sleeping outside in the grubby yard when they are so young but they are pigs and would rather be outside. In a few days I will swap this dog kennel out for a bigger one but for the moment I must let them be and the weather is forecast for more of the same. Hopefully no stormy weather.
And as we struggle for Molly’s balance the rest of the farm carries on regardless. The cows come in for milking twice a day, Sheila waits under the cherry tree for a free paddock, Tahlia has left the barn and is wandering the fields with Alex and Txiki, Tahiti is still large but not too close to farrowing thankfully, the cows are grazing the pastures, the gardens are neglected but our dinners are wonderful.
I hope you have a lovely day.
Love celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
32 responses to “Shots of tiny piglets”
Those are some very STURDY babies! Just 3 days old in these pictures? What a great breed of pig! Nannie Boo I see is at the ready to protect the babies.
Snorts and squeals with piggy delight!! OMP – They are so cute and growing so FAST. The next thing you know, they will be like me and looking for colleges to attend in the fall. Snorts with piggy laughter. XOXO – Bacon
My, what beautiful special little critters they are! So glad to hear Molly is doing a little better; amazing how we all need air to breathe, eh? And they certainly appear to have grown wildly, or maybe have just gained some strength from all the cavorting around in the out-of-doors. Perhaps a combination of both size and strength. Although, upon a second viewing, it is noted they are not much bigger than Mama’s snout…. heh heh However, they are proper little piggies now, instead of newborn infants.
Well, I hope between other chores, you have a lovely day too, watching these babies grow before your very eyes! ~ Mame 🙂
I once used a 55 gallon drum on its side stuffed with bedding, the wee piglets loved it.. they outgrew it fast enough but it worked like a charm for the time it was used.. the piglets look great and I am glad momma is getting better each day!
They are so cute!
Linda
Gorgeous little ones!
I not only LIKE this post, I adore it! Little piggy ones are such fun to watch and Molly…I have fallen in love with Molly!
WHEW- I am so impressed at how these little pigs and their mother are doing- thanks to you! Cheers!
A good batch of outdoor air is always good – even if there’s not breeze – just having more air/space around each to dissipate heat seems to help – think of people in a crowded bus. Those little piggies slipping under the wood – cute pictures!
And of course the handsome dogs at the gate are not to be overlooked
Those silky little piglets are just so gorgeous.
I see where the babies can slip in and out of the yard/barn, but how does Molly get back in if she needs to….is the door open out of shot? I agree with Pat R, that was my thought too…so STURDY for such new and tiny creatures!
Awesome pics. So cute!!
Well, the yard may be ‘grubby’ but the babies have had their colostrum, the area has not had any ‘foreign’ pigs bringing in illnesses and this situation of warmth, space, sunlight and plenty of good tucker is increasing their immunity levels by the hour: am sure they will be fine!! And how they are growing 🙂 !!
well aren’t they just the cutest thing. I’ve never been around piglets but I can see how one might just fall in love with them. Glad Molly is breathing better. That must be a huge relief for her and you.
Celi .. You are on to it! Those babies will be just fine ..