I often say that winter is the trickiest season for farrowing. And I think I’m still correct there.
But this in-between season – where it’s 81 degrees one day and then snowing two days later – isn’t exactly a walk in the park.
We made a bet and decided it would be unnecessary to use the high tunnel (unheated green house) and propane heaters for this week’s farrowing.
And opted instead to use the summertime setup for Stormy – one of the matriarchs on the farm – who was due to deliver this week.
We thought we were golden when she started to give birth on Monday, a warm spring night. Her labor progressed without a hitch, despite it all transpiring well after midnight.
The piglets transitioned well under the open air hut. Except for one little runt who probably won’t make it past the week, the piglets looked sturdy and strong.
So strong in fact that at just 1 day of life, a few of them discovered how to hop up and out of the hut and venture around the pasture all on their own.
With trepidation, this made us smile. But when we saw that storm blow through the very next day, with its gale force winds and blowing rain, you can bet your bottom dollar that the first place our minds went were the those piglets.
Had they been beneath the hoop house, it wouldn’t have concerned us one bit. But with the open air huts on pasture, god knows how they would fare (side note: hypothermia sets in quick in circumstances like this!)
Greg got bundled up and headed out in the eye of the storm – the one on Monday that sheered the tops right off several of the biggest trees on the farm – to check on them.
And ended up plucking 3 of them off the ground to relocate them back under the hut with their momma. We hoped they’d be wise enough from there, not to venture out again until the storm had passed. And luckily, they obliged.
The snow (!!) and freezing temps that came next, made us worry a bit too. But alas, we have 9 new healthy piglets on the ground and boy do they have a story to tell in just their first few days of life…
Your Farmers,
Jenney & Greg
PS – We have an amazing supply of FRESH ORGANIC pork available this weekend. Click HERE to place your order.
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