Visitors to the farm have often heard that sows farrow (give birth) 3 months, 3 weeks and 3 days after being bred. Many farmers add, "3:00 in the morning." However, Lilly farrowed at 3:00 in the afternoon!
Piglets are 3.5 - 4.5 pounds at birth. Pigs are the fastest growing animal on the farm. They grow 2-3 lbs. a day.Piglets establish a "teat order" within 3 days of birth. Since the front teats have more milk your stronger piglets will be found there. Your smaller, weaker piglets will be toward the rear. In the video you see them in the early stages of determining this order. The piglet at the rear was JUST born and is still finding her way around. If you look closely you'll see she still has birthing fluid on her.
Amazing, they are so cute. How much does a piglet weigh at birth? They look pretty healthy.
ReplyDeleteRobin
Good question. Like mentioned above they average 3.5-4.5 lbs at birth but I agree these little ones look a little heavier than that. I'd have to have Farmer Pat weigh them. But at a growth rate of 2-3 lbs a day they could already be 10 lbs.!!
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