Clara came to the Fat Ewe Farm in the arms of her previous owner, a cute little pink and white piglet, a little shy and very sweet. She was cute as a button and Wilbur, her mate, and she grew up together. When Clara was about 8 months old, she had her first litter of piglets. Potbelly babies are so tiny and delightful when they are born, one cannot help but fall in love every time. Clara was a very good mother, more protective than I would have liked, because it was hard to tame the little piglets since she would not let me pick them up and pet them. The first ones were told to pet homes and I hope they are doing well.
Clara and Wilbur had many litters, not all great successes. The ravens sat on their hut while she was having the piglets and took every single one except the last one, which she was then able to defend. The current litter is 29 days old, actually old enough to survive on their own and be weaned. Fortunately, or unfortunately, depending on which way one looks at it, one of the Meishan gilts, who is bred herself to farrow in a month, has adopted the piglets and is allowing them to nurse, which has brought in her milk. Technically, the 4 week old piglets no longer require mother's milk. It is a problem as well, because when the sow has her own litter, she will need the colostrum for her babies, and how on Earth would she manage two litters of piglets who are trying to nurse? Potbellies are small enough that to fence them off from her is nearly impossible. I will have to catch them and put them in the hoop shelters until the Meishan's piglets are well on their way.
Clara will be sadly missed at the Farm. She was a fixture here, always seen in the pen with a grunt and a waddle. I think Wilbur will miss her the most. He was in bed when I removed Clara's body, but in another shelter and I felt he was grieving. The babies were watching intently and they too, knew that was the end for their mamma.
Rest in peace, dear Clara. Your absence will be sadly noted.
Clara and Wilbur had many litters, not all great successes. The ravens sat on their hut while she was having the piglets and took every single one except the last one, which she was then able to defend. The current litter is 29 days old, actually old enough to survive on their own and be weaned. Fortunately, or unfortunately, depending on which way one looks at it, one of the Meishan gilts, who is bred herself to farrow in a month, has adopted the piglets and is allowing them to nurse, which has brought in her milk. Technically, the 4 week old piglets no longer require mother's milk. It is a problem as well, because when the sow has her own litter, she will need the colostrum for her babies, and how on Earth would she manage two litters of piglets who are trying to nurse? Potbellies are small enough that to fence them off from her is nearly impossible. I will have to catch them and put them in the hoop shelters until the Meishan's piglets are well on their way.
Clara will be sadly missed at the Farm. She was a fixture here, always seen in the pen with a grunt and a waddle. I think Wilbur will miss her the most. He was in bed when I removed Clara's body, but in another shelter and I felt he was grieving. The babies were watching intently and they too, knew that was the end for their mamma.
Rest in peace, dear Clara. Your absence will be sadly noted.
Thank you for the young lives you graced the Fat Ewe farm with dear Clara.
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