Baby Piggies!

Thursday, Tonya slept all day long.  I threw a few bails of straw in the lean-to and in the hole she's been sleeping in lately.  I also stacked four bails around the lean-to as extra protection from the wind.
Friday morning rolled around and there were no babies.  We were expecting freezing temperatures Friday night, so I was getting worried.  From sunrise to sunset on Friday, Tonya nested.  Mouthful by mouthful, she carried the loose straw from the lean-to to her spot against the fence. After she leaned out the lean-to, she dragged the four additional bails, popped the strings and spread out even more straw!  At nightfall, she finally fell asleep.
Saturday morning rolled around and there were no babies.  We were expecting 19 degrees Saturday night, so I was even more worried than the night before.  Tonya slept all day on Saturday.  She never moved, never ate, never drank.
Sunday morning rolled around and there were no babies.  We were expecting 22 degrees Sunday night, so obviously, I was a wreck.  When I visited her Sunday morning, she was laying on her side.  I had a feeling theywere coming.  I went into work to get a few things done.  At 2pm, James and I took the girls to a birthday party, and my Mom went out to the local shopping center.  I asked Mom to check on T when she got home.  We were getting our coats on at the birthday party when Mom called.  She walked down the hill and found a bunch of piglets!
When we arrived home, Mom showed me that there was one that wandered off, so I jumped in the yard and carried it over to T.  You shouldn't go in for at least a few days because the Mama can get aggressive.  I trust Tonya and the baby was squealing and shivering.  When I got it over to Mama, she immediately started nursing.  At this point, we counted seven.
James and I walked down around sunset, and we heard a desperate, weak squeal coming from the far side of the lean-to.  Number 8, whom no one had seen earlier...  I jumped in again.  Her body was cold and beginning to stiffen, but still breathing shallowly.  I knew we were going to lose her, but I tried anyway.  I placed her in Tonyas neck, hoping she would warm up and have the strength to nurse.
This morning it was so cold outside.  I found her little lifeless body.  T had pushed her away a little and covered her with some hay.  The other 7 are healthy, but cold.  Mommy and babies have been sleeping in the sun all day today.  Tonight we are expecting some snow and sleet, first of the season.  I am about to go down and get some type of cover of them.  The first 72 hours are crucial for piglets because there internal thermometer isn't working yet, just like any other animal.  The difference is they can't get completely under Mama like a dog or cat because Mama is 500 lbs.

I feel pretty confident, but cross your fingers they all make it through tonight.

Preparing for Tonya's Birth

Tonya is due in 10 days.  We expect her to deliver 10-12 piglets, hopefully all healthy and alive.  Due to three weeks of on and off rain, her pen is a wreck.  She has also knocked down most of her lean-to and pulled down most of the chicken wire from scratching her ass on the fence.  The chicken wire runs along the lower half of the fence so the babies can't slip through the cattle fencing.
Today was like a Spring day, as every other day seems to be right now.  James and I mended all the chicken wire, straightened out the lean-to, and planned where we will build a run for everyone.  Next week I will buy 8 bails of straw to stack around the lean-to and spread out for some bedding.  This Winter has been so mild, I really worry that we are going to get an ice storm near the due date.  All I can do is insulate her house as much as possible and hope for the best.

About two weeks ago I told James I was worried that she may not be bred.  In the last few days, her size has doubled and her milk has come in.  Yes, she is definitely bred and ready to go!