Winter Farrowing

Two new litters of piglets were born on the farm this month (so far). Much of what I have read on the internet says that newborn piglets need temperatures in the 85 - 90 degree F range. I think it is safe to say that our unheated sheds are much colder than this. Our temperatures have been a bit warmer than normal--global warming anyone? But night-time temperatures still dip down below 20 degrees F and the piglets seem to be doing fine. Plenty of dry bedding and a nice warm sow to cuddle up is all they need.

One of the litters was from our sow Helga (registration #1953) and our boar Herbert (#1957). There are 4 boars and three gilts in this litter. One of these gilts has already been spoken for! Helga and Herbert have produced some outstanding piglets for us in the past. So good in fact, that we kept two of the gilts back for our own breeding herd. Wilma (#3342, a Helga and Herbert daughter) and our boar Wilbur (#3339) recently had a litter of  10. Wanda (#3340, another Helga and Herbert daughter) is due anytime now. Can you say Christmas babies!

Breeding quality piglets are available for $250 each. If you would like a boar, please let us know asap--before they become barrows! A limited number of barrows will be sold for those wishing to raise their own pork at $80 each. The rest will be raised to supply our farmers market customers.