Gertrude is still not happy sharing her piglets with viewing visitors. Complying with her wishes we haven't been able to take photos. Keeping our intrusions brief, food water a quick clean up and refresh of straw.

Hopefully we will be able to get photo's soon. Her piglets have some very unusual markings In particular one which has a white bottom and back legs!

I Can Fly....Not Quite

The Goslings are also enjoying time out of their pen. We Started with 5 minutes supervision building up until they have an hour or so free time.

After Bertha and piglets were settled we enjoyed a cup of tea and a mars bar in the company of the goslings. Already they are developing personalities although we don't know the goose from the gander.

Meeting the Neighbours

Today we walked Bertha and piglets to their pen in the field. just a slow walk, taking our time, at Bertha's pace. Piglets did awfully well. First there were some familiar sights, smells and sounds from their daily constitutional. Then Grass, lots of it. Not just little patches but everywhere as far as the eye can see. Before long the confident little piglets abound with adventure in their soul broke through the stock fence into the field full of cows. Try as we could they would not come back. Then Bertha with a firm grunt, commanded their attention and were soon part of the procession straight into their new pen.

Twelve squeeky piglets

Bloody hell Gertrude where were you hiding all those piglets. 12 Healthy piglets were born last night between 7.30 and 11.05, unfortunately number 13 arrived a long time later stillborn. Mother and piglets are doing very well. She is a very protective mother and isn't keen on visitors at the moment. Once again Jane was a marvellous midwife, intuitively knowing when to step in and when to leave well alone. Whereas I was only capable of providing towels and cups of coffee whilst pacing up and down outside the maternity suite smoking!

First day out

It has been getting  a bit stir crazy in the maternity suite. The piglets certainly seem ready for nursery if not pig school. It has been a nightmare for Bertha keeping them occupied and under control whilst restless Gertrude is next door preparing for her delivery. So the tenacious ten accompanied mum for her afternoon constitutional today. They inspected every inch of the yard, finding mum's treat of plum's most delicious. Me thinks we may be dealing with some upset tummies tommorrow!

identification

For the first time the piglets stayed still long enough with them all in a position so I could identify which sex they are. Bertha had 4 girls and 6 boys

Goosey Goosey Gander

I almost forgot to take photo's of the goslings. I've spent so much time in pigland lately, although I do try to take them on a daily walk. Today they were allowed longer outside their pen, practising being free range. They said hello to the cows and chomped on lots of lovely fresh grass.