I had to put the two badly hurt piglets to sleep. I had hoped they would recover but they were getting less and less able to move about, their legs were useless and their crying had become piteous. It was only going to get worse for them. So I had to call it. Putting them to Sleep is how my Dad used to say it too. Euthanise is not a word I use often. 
This leaves the five, two of whom are looking great and refuse to let me help them feed anymore. Two are very shaky but eating well with help. Number five is not sure yet. So I am still on two hours feeds for these two weak ones.
Molly has developed a limp so I am escalating the supplementary feeding of her eleven babies. They are so demanding. I would have liked to leave them with her for at least six weeks but I may have to wean them earlier. She is such a good girl – they share her food bowl all the time and she does not mind at all. I am sure she is just trying to help me train them to eat so they will leave her the hell alone. 
Yesterday I got out and did some fencing – it was such a joy to be out in the fields with my tools just puttering about – I had my phone with the alarm set for the babies but the air was lovely after that rain. 
I have visitors coming for dinner tonight so I had better get a wriggle on. Plus I need to get the room ready for the new woofer. I hope he likes pigs! 
I hope you have a lovely day.
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
39 responses to “Then a step sideways”
Well done Misd C..not a nice decision but the right one. It would be inhuman to let an animal suffer..so l congratulate you my dear friend
Sad, indeed
You made the right call…poor sweet babies. I hope the others thrive- especially the weakest one.
Glad you are getting more help- big hugs to you.
A sad decision, but the right one. Having had to put countless small furry & feathered ones “out of their misery” (as my mum would say) it’s not nice. But necessary. Glad the remaining piglets are doing better now.
I don’t think you could do anything else. Good news about the lively ones though and fingers crossed for the weaker ones. It looks like Boo is keen to help 🙂
It is hard to make that call, but you know when it is necessary and the humane choice. It will be great to have the extra hands once the Woofer arrives. Enjoy your dinner tonight.
You are the human. They are the animal. Humanely, lovingly is the best we can offer sometimes. Farm life moves on, doesn’t it? Molly and her piglets will get us through. Glad you caught a bit of “normal”, however brief. Been thinking about The Cadet and wondering if she was still around.
I have not seen her in a long while now – I think she has grown out of us.. bless her.. c
Sending you positive energies to deal with all that is happening on the farmy. I’m glad the woofer will arrive tomorrow! So cool to see the plants ready for the fall garden! We are beginning to plant our fall crops as well! xo
Yes, we’ll take the sidestep in the hope that tomorrow will herald two forward again. Rooting for the 5 remaining piggies. Enjoy your r&r tonight. Laura
Sad about the piglets – but, you did what needed to be done. I hope it is a little less humid.
I’m glad your help is coming and you got a breath of fresh air for a moment. Any respite helps, I’m sure. My heart goes out to you. Never an easy decision but one I would make too. Have a wonderfilled Sunday.
Sideways is quite often a good direction to take I find…
You constantly remind us that farming is not all pretty pictures of tiny animals, this latest litter of piggies show us the heartache you go through. Thankfully you did what you had to do and then had the chance to get time out doors to work on the fencing. Hammering and banging is a real stress buster. Enjoy your visitors this evening and fingers crossed the Woofer like pigs.
I hope you’ve regained your energy and are not in the quitting farming mood. Of course I want what’s best for you, but I would miss the Farmy. It must be so hard though…crushing sometimes, and yet you always rise! I understand sideways…I feel like so am moving sideways so often. But then again I’m a cancer and that’s what we crabs do. Lots of love.
So sad but it sound like it was definitely for the best. You’ve really been through it–I’m so glad help is coming.