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Clara Had Her Babies!

8/30/2015

3 Comments

 
Clara , the pot belly sow, has finally has her babies! She was so big in the belly, she was dragging it on the ground for the past week and did not want anyone too near her. I imagine she was quite uncomfortable with that great size. Clara is a pink pig with grey hair and the boar is black. All the piglets are black, with a couple of them with white patches or white on the legs. I guess his genes are pretty strong, which is good, because Wilbur is a  super friendly unobtrusive  guy that wanders the farmyard and goes in all the pens at his will. So far he has neve rcaused any trouble and he stops for an ear scratch or belly rub when he thinks I will give it to him. I am hoping for friendly piglets just like dear old dad. Clara is not unfriendly, but does not like to be petted, though I can come very near to her. 

The ravens ate all but one of Clara's last litter of piglets. This litter was born under a blanket of hay which she pulled out of the big bales to make a bed for herself and her babes. When I looked for her, I only noticed a pile of fresh hay where there was none before, then saw that the hay was jiggling. Carefuilly uncovering a little, I picked up a still damp newborn baby potbelly piglet. Clara was busy birthing and was not paying attention to me. The piglet is so tiny and adorable. It yawned and I put it back carefully. 

Later when I checked Clara and took the video, she was uncovered and her bed was larger. She had pulled a lot of hay and made a trough with her body to contain the piglets. I sure hope the owl or the ravens do not find her there. She is not in a shelter, but just out behind the old pig barn against a large round bale. She was quite protective of the little ones and very careful when she plunked her big self down, so as not to squash a baby. She is a good mamma piggie. 

The piglets need 6 weeks to nurse from their mother before they can be separated. Hopefully they will all find good homes wiith loving families. Would you like a  potbelly piglet?
Picture
3 Comments
Lynn
9/7/2015 11:22:48 am

I'm curious, what made you choose Pot-belly pigs over say, Kune Kunes or Choctaws or Guinea Hog or the Mulefoot breeds?

Reply
Fluffy link
9/7/2015 12:17:14 pm

Hi Lynn,
My first choice of pig would have been Mangalista, but there are none in Canada and they cost over $1000. Kune Kune are a second choice, and when I was looking to get them, again, there were none in Canada and importing would have been about $1000 each. There are some in Canada now and the cost is very high. I had Berkshires, which I loved, but there was not a good market for them at the time and I cannot eat a whole pig in a year! So, the potbellies are here. These are Julianna, smaller than standard pots, but not as small as tea cups. I would have preferred the larger pigs. They are here for food, but if I can sell them as stock or pets, that is my first goal. If not, they will be butchered and eaten. I have not done that yet, but have a small boar that will be ready to butcher in 1 month or so. Ossabwa hogs were right up there for pig choices too, being a smaller hog. Thanks for asking.
Fluffy

Reply
Lynn
9/7/2015 03:39:49 pm

The pot-belly pigs are definitely a lot more available. I looked up the Mangalista pigs - they're a rather interesting breed. It seems like most people want the pot-bellies as pets.

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