Waiting on Poppy

I had a feeling about Poppy yesterday. Her tail was up and she seemed more agitated/excitable than normal – if that were possible. We went for a walk in the morning and again in the afternoon. And late in the evening it seemed to me that she was displaying nesting behaviour.   Or maybe she knew a cold night was coming. 

She was drinking a lot of water and was very hungry. But she is always hungry, a sows diet is pretty lean. She supplements it with grass.

But there is no milk down yet.  The babies are still very active. And she does not look that uncomfortable. I guess she was just being Hop and Pop Poppy. So I am still waiting.  I stayed up for a while last night then crept out to the barn (though I must sound like a train to her, with her head to the ground listening) and she was laid on her belly fast asleep (with one eye open). She often sleeps on her belly like a dog, head on her hocks, when they are ready to farrow they lie on their sides. No nest.  Her second date is within the week –  I need to find the diary out and have a look but I have mislaid my diary for the moment – I really need to do a clean up.

My once a day milking cows are doing well. The big milking bucket sprung a leak so I am using my tiny emergency bucket, this is fine for Del but with Lady A I have to stop milking two thirds of way through and empty the bucket then back on with the cups and milk the last little bit. She does not seem to mind though. They both have to be dry by the day before Christmas so I can go and have Christmas with my son in Canada.  There is plenty of time yet.

In two weeks we will blood test both of them to see if I will be milking next year.

This morning I woke up to Poppy bashing at her door with her nose  roaring to be let out- she hates it when I shut it – now she is back in her field getting up to mischief.

I hope you have a lovely day

celi