Violet has finally produced her litter! Three males and one female. Yesterday I was having a breakdown because she had gone missing. She had broken out of her enclosure and I could not find her anywhere. Having searched twice during the afternoon through the water meadow with the dogs I was disgtraught not to have found her. When John got back at 7pm he went straight out to search. First attempt and a half hour later nothing. He went back out and after another half an hour he found her, hidden amongst the reeds about five feet from the rivers edge.

Now we know first hand about camoflage! We could not get her to move last night so had to hope that she was well enough hidden from the fox. The way she went for the dogs however I think the fox would have been stupid to try anything.

So this morning we now have to coaxe her home again. She is on our land, but quite a way from where she should be. I know we wanted our girls to have their babies as naturally as possible but th is takes the biscuit!

Anyway if Carole is looking in - just to say that Violet is coping very well and is enjoying her new family. Having lost her litter after a couple of days before because of her inexperience, we were quite worried for her this time, but she is a great mum this time.

We will keep this whole litter. Three boys for Palma ham eventually so will need some tips from Tracey next year!

Kate

Yes of course I am looking in..... well done Violet, I do hope all works out this time. She has knowledge after helping Rose. Did Onslo get his cigar ????

I have a male going for meat in 2 weeks time, so need all the help I can with parma hams etc.

Hoping you have managed to bring her back ..... little bugger she is. love her all the same.

Carole x

No unable to bring her up today either. She has made her nest - babies are retreating to the reeds for protection and she has been quite savage to me today. Very protective and so unlike her.

John will have to go down tommorrow and try again - he wasn't here today. I cannot understand her really. She is always up for a love, and this morning she let me stroke her on her back, although growling at me, but this afternoon she was awful. She puts me in mind of Miss Piggy the Pot belly - an angel normally but the Elzibub with young ones. I don't like her being in the meadow, and we really do need to move her. We need a plan!!

Kate

leave her where she is mangalitzas are marsh pigs.

feed her at least 10 meters away from the reeds, when her hormones settle down she will co-operate. your big problem will be catching the pigletts when you have contained violet

our mangalitza sows will let me near a new litter, however they would savage john in the 1st week.

i will post the instructions for parma

Well Violet finally made it back up to the orchard area yesterday and is back to her normal self thank goodness. She goes back to the reeds at night which is quite a walk each way for the piglets, but she is happy there and of course mother always knows best.

I know John and I decided that the sows could where possible get back to nature to have their young where they wanted to, but we never dreamed just how far Violet would take it

If Rose is in the family way, and hopefully she will be, we may consider giving her the same option. As Tracey says, it is their natural habitat, so how wonderful that they can behave as nature intended.

The piglets are really strong and healthy and she is just a terrific mum this time around; we are so chuffed for Violet after her awful first experience. Thanks for the advice Tracey.

Kate

Great news about Violet and the piglets.

Fingers crossed now for Rose.

Carole