Weigh In

[Dash, 5 weeks, just before he went to his new home]

The weigh in for Saturday the 25th Feb 2012:


*** Liam's Love Shack ***
Liam is 970g (gain 10g) - 47wks (11m)
Pollyanna is now 720g (same) - 17wks (4m)
Nixie is 640g (loss 30g) - 16wks (4m)


*** Malakai's Quarters ***
Malakai is 895g (gain 45g) - 30wks (7m)
Chloe is 655g (loss 65g) - 22wks (5m)


*** Tex's Condo ***
Tex is 865g (loss 5g) - 2.5yrs
Savannah is 885g (loss 5g) - 1.5yrs
Jasmine is 670g (gain 15g) - 24wks (5.5m)
Ivy is 890g (same) - 23wks (5m)



*** Girl's Mansion ***
Bella-Donna is 690g (same) - 14wks (3m)
Crumble is 870g (gain 45g) - 1.5yr
Custard is 955g (loss 5g) - 5yrs
Delilah is 980g (loss 20g) - approx 1yr
Eirwyn is 475g (gain 25g) - 10wks (2.5m)
Galaxy is 1300g (gain 105g)- 1 year old - (pregnant, due approx 24/3/12)
Gizelle is 780g (same) - 1.5yrs
Hannah is 300g (gain 40g) - 6wks (1.5m)
Indigo is 680g (loss 15g) - 26wks (6m)
Isla is 690g (loss 20g) - 26wks (6m)
Kumiko is 315g (gain 40g) - 8wks (2m)
Lacey is 465g (gain 20g) - 11wks (2.5m)
Lavender Mist is 895g (loss 95g) - 29wks (6m)- (pregnant, due approx 17/3/12)
Leilani is 905g (loss 5g) - 37wks (8m)
Millicent is 850g (gain 15g) - 30wks (7m)
Phoebe is now 960g (same) - 46wks (10.5m)
Ruby is 1250g (gain 45g) - 50wks (11.5m)
Saskia is 770g (gain 50g) - 2yrs
Sparrow is 945g (loss 15g) - 47wks (11m)
Subi is 1130g (loss 30g) - 3yrs
Tigerlily is 730g (gain 20g) - 23wks (5m)
Violet is now 725g (gain 10g) - 33wks (7m)
Xeraphina is 890g (gain 60g) 21wks (5m)
Zinnia is 950g (gain 20g) - 23wks (5m) - (pregnant, due approx 9/3/12)



***New Mums***

Molly is 710g (loss 15g) - 29wks (6m) - (nursing)
Fynn is 160g (gained 70g) - 1wk
Felice is 115g (gained 30g) - 1wk


Elodie is 710g (gain 5g) - 31wks (7m)- (nursing)
Tallulah is 150g (gain 40g) - 2wks
Taye is 130g (gain 45g) - 2wks
Theo is 150g (gain 40g) - 2wks


Alice is 680g (loss 125g) - 1yr - (nursing)
Monty is 270g (gain 50g) - 4wks
Mirella is 305g (gain 60g) - 4wks


[Fynn, 2 weeks]

So all in all a bit of an up and down week this week. Lots of little losses, some big, concerning losses and yet some good gains too (especially with the younger ones). Not sure whats going on, but I wonder if the soggy weather has stressed them a bit because they can't access the grass as freely as they have been getting used to?!


[Monty, 4 weeks. Now with his new family]

Monty (above) and Dash (very first pic) went home with their new families on Saturday. And on Friday, Peppa, Romeo, Tabitha, Twizzle, Henry, Peanut and Ginger traveled all the way up to Rockhampton to meet their new Family. And Pluto and a little visiting bub from another stud traveled up to Townsville. All in all a busy few days!


[Mirella, 4 weeks]

Lavender and Zinnia are now inside awaiting the birth of their litters. I'm a little surprised at how early Lavender's pelvis has started to open though, and am keeping an extra close eye on her. I might have gotten my dates WAY wrong, but I wasn't expecting her litter until the middle of next month. Both litters are fathered by Romeo, so will be Liam's grandchildren!



[Tallulah, 2.5 weeks]

Weigh In

[Dash, looking fantastic!]


The weigh in for Saturday the 18th Feb 2012:


*** Liam's Love Shack ***
Liam is 960g (gain 40g) - 46wks (10.5m)
Pollyanna is now 720g (gained 25g) - 16wks (4m)
Nixie is 670g (gained 60g) - 15wks (3.5m)


*** Romeo's Roost ***
Romeo is 670g (gain 10g) - 21wks (5m)
Peanut is 270g (gain 45g) - 7wks (1.5m)
Henry is 305g (gain 50g) - 6wks (1m)


*** Malakai's Quarters ***
Malakai is 850g (gain 10g) - 29wks (6.5m)
Dash is 240g (gain 35g) - 3wks


*** Tex's Condo ***
Tex is 870g (gain 40g) - 2.5yrs
Savannah is 890g (gain 35g) - 1.5yrs
Jasmine is 655g (gain 30g) - 23wks (5.5m)
Ivy is 890g (gain 45g) - 22wks (5m)



*** Girl's Mansion ***
Bella-Donna is 690g (gain 40g) - 13wks (3m)
Chloe is 730g (gain 35g) - 21wks (5m)
Crumble is 825g (gain 30g) - 1.5yr
Custard is 960g (loss 30g) - 5yrs
Delilah is 1000g (gain 50g) - approx 1yr
Eirwyn is 450 (gain 25g) - 9wks (2m)
Galaxy is 1195g (gain 115g)- 1 year old - (pregnant, due approx 24/3/12)
Ginger is 1190g (gain 30g)- 49wks (11.5m)
Gizelle is 780g (gain 20g) - 1.5yrs
Hannah is 260g - 5wks (1m)
Indigo is 695g (gain 40g) - 25wks (5.5m)
Isla is 710g (gain 40g) - 25wks (5.5m)
Kumiko is 275g (gain 30g) - 7wks (1.5m)
Lacey is 445g (gain 25g) - 10wks (2.5m)
Lavender Mist is 990g (gain 60g) - 28wks (6m)- (pregnant, due approx 17/3/12)
Leilani is 910g (gained 35g) - 36wks (8m)
Millicent is 8355g (gain 40g) - 29wks (7m)
Peppa is 895g (gain 165g) - 1yr
Phoebe is now 960g (gain 30g) - 45wks (10m)
Ruby is 1205g (gain 60g) - 49wks (11.5m)
Saskia is 720g (first weigh in) - 2yrs
Subi is 1160g (gain 40g) - 3yrs
Tabitha is 625g (gain 30g) - 17wks (4m)
Tigerlily is 710g (gain 30g) - 22wks (5m)
Twizzle is 825g (gain 5g) - 22wks (5m)
Violet is now 715g (gain 15g) - 32wks (7m)
Xeraphina is 830g (gain 60g) 20wks (4.5m)
Zinnia is 930g (gain 45g) - 22wks (5m) - (pregnant, due approx 9/3/12)



***New Mums***

Molly is 735g (gave birth) - 28wks (6m) - (nursing)
Fynn is 90g (gained 10g) - newborn
Felice is 85g (lost 5g) - newborn


Elodie is 705g (gain 15g) - 30wks (6.5m)- (nursing)
Tallulah is 110g (gain 40g) - 1wk
Taye is 85g (gain 30g) - 1wk
Theo is 110g (gain 40g) - 1wk


Sparrow is 960g (gain 15g) - 46wks (10.5m) - (nursing)
Pluto is 250g (gain 85g) - 2wks


Alice is 805g (gain 10g) - 1yr - (nursing)
Monty is 220g (gain 65g) - 3wks
Mirella is 245g (gain 70g) - 3wks


So we managed another weigh in this week. Along with baths for everyone! (easier said than done!). Its incredible how some pigs will just sit there and accept the water - while others do everything in their power to GET OUT - including trying to claw up my forearm!


I am relived to see Tex and Savannah put on weight this week. Lets hope that continues. And a special mention needs to go out to little Pluto, who at only 2 weeks old already weighs that of the average 4-5week old. We do seem to breed them big around here though...

We have a confirmed pregnancy for Galaxy, who has been keeping Malakai company for the last few months. I've estimated her due mid March. These bubs should be incredible.


[Hannah - one of our new girls]

We also got two new girls during the week - Saskia, the white/roan sheba, and Hannah (an alpaca x, with a pseudo Peruvian coat).


[Saskia, our other new girl]




I think I'm beginning to see a pattern in Peppa's weight gain/loss too. And it seems to be only when she's not pregnant/nursing, which makes me think it's related to her reproductive system. She will drop a lot of weight quite suddenly (think 100-200g in a week), seem totally fine otherwise, then just as suddenly put it all back on again the following week.

At first I thought it was my scales playing up. But I was only getting these odd results from the one pig - and weighing them All on the same scales. Then she fell pregnant, and her weight only slowly increased, as you'd expect. It stayed fairly stable while she was nursing, then went back to the drop/gain pattern this fortnight. I can't be sure what it is exactly, but it's worth keeping an eye on her, and worth mentioning to her new family who are planning to meet her next week!

And we're weighing in again!

(Peanut - 6 weeks)



The weigh in for Friday the 10th Feb 2012:
(can you believe it's been nearly a month since we've been able to do a weigh in!?)


*** Liam's Love Shack ***
Liam is 920g (gain 30g) - 45wks (10.5m)
Isla is 670g (gain 25g) - 24wks (5.5m)
Indigo is 655g (gain 60g) - 24wks (5.5m)


*** Romeo's Roost ***
Romeo is 660g (loss 50g) - 20wks (5m)
Peanut is 225g (gain 65g) - 6wks (1m)
Henry is 255g (gain 85g) - 5wks (1m)


*** Malakai's Quarters ***
Malakai is 840g (loss 15g) - 28wks (6.5m)
Galaxy is 1080g (loss 20g)- 1 year old


*** Tex's Condo ***
Tex is 830g (loss 120g) - 2.5yrs
Savannah is 855g (loss 45g) - 1.5yrs
Jasmine is 625g (gain 25g) - 22wks (5.5m)
(I'm seriously hoping this is just adjustment stress, will have to keep a closer eye on Tex and Savannah I think).


*** Girl's Mansion ***
Bella-Donna is 650g (gain 75g) - 12wks (2.5m)
Chloe is 695g (gain 75g) - 20wks (5m)
Custard is 990g (gain 10g) - 5yrs
Delilah is 950g (gain 35g) - approx 1yr
Eirwyn is 425g - 8wks (2m)
Ginger is 1160g (gain 100g)- 48wks (11m)
Gizelle is 760g - 1.5yrs
Ivy is 845g (gain 85g) - 21wks (5m) - pregnant, due approx 24/3/12)
Kumiko is 245g - 6wks (1m)
Lacey is 420g (gain 100g) - 9wks (2m)
Lavender Mist is 930g (gain 180g) - 27wks (6m)- (pregnant, due approx 17/3/12)
Leilani is 875g (gained 95g) - 35wks (8m)
Millicent is 795g (gain 40g) - 28wks (7m)
Molly is 895g (gain 155g) - 27wks (6m) - (Pregnant, due approx 24/2/12)
Nixie is 610g (gained 105g) - 14wks (3m)
Peppa is 895g (loss 140g) - 1yr
Phoebe is now 930g (gain 45g) - 44wks (10m)
Pollyanna is now 695g (gained 105g) - 15wks (3.5m)
Ruby is 1145g (gain 65g) - 48wks (11m)
Subi is 1120g (loss 55g) - 3yrs
Tabitha is 595g (gain 40g) - 16wks (4m)
Tigerlily is 680g (gain 40g) - 21wks (5m)
Twizzle is 820g (gain 75g) - 21wks (5m)
Violet is now 700g (gain 50g) - 31wks (7m)
Xeraphina is 770g (gain 70g) 19wks (4.5m)
Zinnia is 885g (gain 190g) - 21wks (5m) - (pregnant, due approx 9/3/12)



(Mirella - 2 weeks)



***New Mums***

Elodie is 690g (gave birth) - 29wks (6.5m)- (nursing)
Tallulah is 70g - newborn
Taye is 55g - newborn
Theo is 80g - newborn


(Taye - 2 days)



Sparrow is 945g (gave birth) - 45wks (10m) - (nursing)
Pluto is 165g (gain 65g) - 1 week


Alice is 795g - 1yr - (nursing)
Monty is 155g (gain 70g) - 2wks
Mirella is 175g (gain 70g) - 2 wks


Crumble is 795g (gave birth) - 1.5yr - (nursing)
Safari is 170g (gain 85g) - 2wks
Dash is 205g (gain 115g) - 2wks


(Safari - 2 weeks)




(Monty - 2 weeks)



So a few new confirmed pregnancies this week, Ivy (to Liam), and Lavender and Zinnia (to Romeo). Babies will be due mid March.

Everyone seems to have done ok over the month of no weighing in. I am a little concerned about Tex and Savannah. I wonder if they're not settling in very well, or if something else is going on? And Peppa has had a decent drop in weight too. Everyone got their regular ivermec treatment today too, which was probably a bit overdue. We'll see if that helps Tex a bit, under all that hair were some hidden lice. He's since had a trim and should be feeling a bit more comfortable.

Elodie and her bubs are doing really well. I've kept them inside with me for a little longer after discovering just how tiny they really were (thanks to Kelly from Clover Cavies for the use of your scales yesterday!). They look really strong and active though. I think I'm just a little on edge after loosing my first two babies post-birth last week in nearly a decade.

We've also moved Molly inside. She has dilated very quickly. I don't know if that means bubs soon, or if she's going to sit like that for another week yet!? Who knows. Back to half hourly labour checks for me though! lol

No weigh in this week.

After last week's drama's with three births, and multiple deaths, it was decided that the less contact I had with the main group of girls (especially while hand-feeding/medicating Yeti's boys every few hours) the better. I can't risk transferring pneumonia to the mansion cage - the girls would be wiped out within weeks. At the moment it's strictly feeding via sterilised containers and no lap time/cuddles. A bit sad, but I'm not risking it!

So far so good with little Dante and Dash. I've seen them both suckling from Crumble (shown above having a snooze with little Safari), but Dante still thinks I am his mum.

I've never seen anything quite like it. All I have to do is walk into the room and he's standing on his back legs, nose in the air, squeaking like a maniac and following my every move. I sit next to his enclosure and pull back the cover and he comes sprinting, squeaking all the way and just about tumbling over himself in his hurry to get to me. Usually I'll pop my hand in to give him a boost, and he'll launch himself into my lap. But yesterday he managed to scale the side of the cage on his own and flop head-first into my skirt! It didn't even slow him down... he was frantically chomping on the syringe within seconds.

He has come such a long way from the sleepy, still, dehydrated little baby of a few days ago. I don't know why Dash doesn't do the same behaviour, as he's getting the same amount of contact with me - but he does the normal 'run away' thing when I attempt to scoop him out for a feed.

All I can say is that little Dante has stolen a piece of my heart. I'll try and capture his enthusiasm on film to show you if I can. In all my years I have never witnessed this kind of behaviour from a guinea pig before in my life... he's more like a teeny, tiny little puppy dog!

Weigh in

(Molly is now confirmed pregnant to Malakai! Due approx 24th Feb)



The weigh in for Saturday the 14th Jan 2012:


*** Liam's Love Shack ***
Liam is 890g (gain 10g) - 41wks (9.5m)
Tigerlily is 640g (gain 20g) - 17wks (4m)
Isla is 645g (loss 5g) - 20wks (4.5m)
Indigo is 595g (loss 15g) - 20wks (4.5m)


*** Romeo's Roost ***
Romeo is 710g (gain 40g) - 16wks (4m)
Lavender Mist is 750g (gain 15g) - 23wks (5m)
Zinnia is 695g (gain 35g) - 17wks (4m)


*** Malakai's Quarters ***
Malakai is 855g (gain 10g) - 24wks (5.5m)
Galaxy is 1100g (gain 60g)- 1 year old


*** Mr Tex ***
Tex is 950g (loss 35g) - 2.5yrs


*** Girl's Mansion ***
Alice is 1215g (gain 40g) - 50wks (11.5m)- (Pregnant, due approx 27/1/12)
Bella-Donna is 525g (gain 25g) - 8wks (1.5m)
Chloe is 620g (gain 15g) - 16wks (4m)
Crumble is 1295g (gain 35g) - 1yr - (pregnant, due approx 4th Feb 2012)
Custard is 980g (gain 25g) - 5yrs
Delilah is 915g (gain 30g) - approx 1yr
Elodie is 965g (gain 30g) - 25wks (5.5m)- (pregnant, due approx 16/2/12)
Ginger is 1060g (gain 30g)- 44wks (10m)
Ivy is 760g (gain 60g) - 17wks (4m)
Jasmine is 600g (gain 15g) - 18wks (4.5m)
Lacey is 320g (gain 30g) - 5wks (1m)
Molly is 895g (gain 50g) - 23wks (5m) - (Pregnant, due approx 24/2/12)
Nixie is 505g (gained 15g) - 10wks (2m)
Phoebe is now 885g (gain 10g) - 40wks (9m)
Pollyanna is now 590g (gained 45g) - 11wks (2.5m)
Ruby is 1145g (loss 15g) - 44wks (10m)
Savannah is 900g (loss 30g) - 1.5yrs
Sparrow is 1240g (gain 20g) - 41wks (9m) - (Pregnant, due 22/1/12)
Subi is 1175g (gain 30g) - 2.5yrs
Tabitha is 555g (gain 35g) - 12wks (2.5m)
Twizzle is 745g (gain 15g) - 17wks (4m)
Xeraphina is 700g (gain 50g) 15wks (3.5m)
Yeti is 1105g (gain 45g) - 33wks (7.5m) - (Pregnant, due approx 22/1/12)



***New Mums***

Millicent is 755g (gain 15g) - 24wks (6m)- ( nursing)
Whisper is 145g (gain 50g) 1wk
Willow is 140g (gain 50g) 1wk
Winter is 105g (same) 1wk


Violet is now 650g (gain 5g) - 27wks (6m) - (nursing)
Henry is 170g (gain 45g) - 2wk
Hamlet is 160g (gain 50g) - 2wk


Peppa is 1035g (gain 30g) - 1yr - (nursing Leilani's bubs)
Leilani is 780g (gained 15g) - 31wks (7m)- (nursing)
Pudding is 240g (gain 45g) - 3wks
Puddles is 265g (gain 65g) - 3wks
Promise is 250g (gained 50g) - 3wks
Peanut is 160g (gained 45g) - 3wks
Panda is 265g (gained 50g) - 3wks



(Puddles and Pudding hanging out while Sparrow supervises from behind!)

So not too bad of a week at all. I was a little concerned that Winter didn't gain anything in her first week, especially as her siblings did... that being said though, she is the cheekiest, most active little newborn I've ever had here. The first night she was in the big cage with everyone, I opened the door to add some extra veg scraps left over from dinner and she came running out! She bumbled along the perimeter area while I watched to see which way she'd go - then she just popped right through the fence and was off for a stroll! Thankfully she wasn't moving very fast, and our yard is fully enclosed... but still! I've never had a baby just decide to run out the door like that before. So I think I can put the weight down to her preferring to run with the bigger babies (while her siblings snooze with mum!). We;ll see how this week goes, and if she'll need supplemental feeding.

Just waiting on Yeti and Sparrow's babies now... fingers crossed for some safe deliveries.

Weight in with, well, trust me, you don't want to know how many piggies... :P

[Happy 5th Birthday to Custard!!! - this is her as a newborn, approx 3 hours old)

The weigh in for Saturday the 14th Jan 2012:


*** Liam's Love Shack ***
Liam is 8800g (lost 50g) - 40wks (9.5m)
Tigerlily is 620g (loss 5g) - 16wks (4m)
Isla is 650g (first weigh in) - 19wks (4.5m)
Indigo is 610g (first weigh in) - 19wks (4.5m)


*** Romeo's Roost ***
Romeo is 670g (same) - 15wks (3.5m)
Lavender Mist is 735g (loss 20g) - 22wks (5m)
Zinnia is 660g (same) - 16wks (4m)


*** Malakai's Quarters ***
Malakai is 845g (gain 15g) - 23wks (5.5m)
Galaxy is 1040g (gain 25g)- 1 year old! Happy 'approximate' first birthday to you too Galaxy! :P


*** Mr Tex ***
Tex is 985g (first weigh in) - 2.5yrs


*** Girl's Mansion ***
Alice is 1175g (gain 140g) - 49wks (11m)- (Pregnant, due approx 27/1/12)
Bella-Donna is 500g (gain 35g) - 7wks (1.5m)
Chloe is 605g (gain 20g) - 15wks (3.5m)
Crumble is 1260g (same) - 1yr - (pregnant, due approx 4th Feb 2012)
Custard is 980g (gain 25g) - 5yrs
Delilah is 885g (gain 25g) - approx 1yr
Elodie is 935g (gain 75g) - 24wks (5.5m)- (pregnant, due approx 16/2/12)
Ginger is 1030g (gain 35g)- 43wks (10m)
Ivy is 700g (loss 5g) - 16wks (4m)
Jasmine is 585g (gain 10g) - 17wks (4m)
Lacey is 290g (first weigh in) - 4 weeks (1m)
Lotus is 685g (gained 15g) - 16wks (4m)
Molly is 845g (gain 50g) - 22wks (5m)
Nixie is 490g (gained 30g) - 9wks (2m)
Phoebe is now 875g (gain 30g) - 39wks (9m)
Pollyanna is now 545g (gained 30g) - 10wks (2.5m)
Ruby is 1160g (gain 80g) - 43wks (10m)
Savannah is 930g (first weigh in) - 1.5yrs
Sparrow is 1220g (gain 80g) - 40wks (9m) - (Pregnant, due 22/1/12)
Subi is 1145g (loss 35g) - 2.5yrs
Tabitha is 520g (gain 20g) - 11wks (2.5m)
Twizzle is 730g (same) - 16wks (4m)
Xeraphina is 650g (gain 10g) 14wks (3m)
Yeti is 1060g (gain 30g) - 32wks (7.5m) - (Pregnant, due approx 22/1/12)



***New Mums***

Millicent is 740g - 23wks (5.5m)- (gave birth, nursing)
Whisper is 95g (newborn)
Willow is 90g (newborn)
Winter is 105g (newborn)


Violet is now 645g (loss 5g) - 26wks (6m) - (nursing)
Henry is 125g (gain 25g) - 1wk
Hamlet is 110g (gain 20g) - 1wk

(one-week update pic)



Peppa is 1005g (lost 45g) - 1yr - (nursing Leilani's bubs)
Leilani is 765g (gained 5g) - 30wks (7m)- (nursing)
Pudding is 195g (gain 50g) - 2wks
Puddles is 200g (gain 45g) - 2wks
Promise is 200g (gained 50g) - 2wks
Peanut is 115g (gained 30g) - 2wks
Panda is 215g (gained 45g) - 2wks

(looks like Leilani has been letting Peppa do all the feeding! She's gained... 5g! While poor Peppa's burning off the calories!)


[Romeo is currently one of the pigs looking for his new home]

You might have noticed some new names on the list... now stretching out our numbers to nearly 50! I got incredibly lucky after a years worth of searching for new pedigree texel lines in the right colours/quality - and was offered some recently. (more on the new texel's in a new post). This means that some of our pet-piggies will need to find awesome new homes. As much as it breaks my heart, ultimately I planned to work with the pedigree texels, and have been given an opportunity too. This just means that some new families get to experience the joy of having one of our pet-piggies in their homes... rather than us hogging them all! lol. (Visit the Available page for more information on who is adoptable currently).




Thought I'd quickly share this pic of Puddles (now 2 weeks old) with Whisper (2 days old)... half-brothers with the same dad. Isn't it amazing how much the coat grows in 2 weeks!

Weigh in

(Bella-Donna and Xeraphina having some free-range time)

The first weigh in for 2011, Saturday the 7th Jan 2012:


*** Liam's Love Shack ***
Liam is 930g (gain 5g) - 39wks (9m)
Ivy is 705g (gain 20g) - 15wks (3.5m)
Tigerlily is 625g (gain 15g) - 15wks (3.5m)


*** Romeo's Roost ***
Romeo is 670g (gain 50g) - 14wks (3m)
Lavender Mist is 755g (gain 30g) - 21wks (5m)
Zinnia is 660g (gain 55g) - 15wks (3.5m)


*** Malakai's Quarters ***
Malakai is 830g (loss 10g) - 22wks (5m)
Galaxy is 1015g (loss 50g)- 51wks (11.5m)- (no longer appears to be pregnant. I may have been mistaken last fortnight as she is very pudgy!)


*** Girl's Mansion ***
Alice is 1035g (gain 75g) - 48wks (11m)- (Pregnant, due approx 27/1/12)
Bella-Donna is 465g (gain 60g) - 6wks (1.5m)
Chloe is 585g (gain 5g) - 14wks (3m)
Crumble is 1260g (gain 25g) - 1yr - (pregnant, due approx 4th Feb 2012)
Custard is 955g (loss 5g) - 4.5yrs
Delilah is 860g (loss 5g) - approx 1yr
Elodie is 860g (loss 5g) - 23wks (5m)
Ginger is 995g (gain 50g)- 42wks (10m)
Jasmine is 575g (gain 10g) - 16wks (4m)
Lotus is 670g (gained 15g) - 15wks (3.5m)
Millicent is 1030g (gain 50g) - 22wks (5m)- (Pregnant, due approx 15/1/12)
Molly is 795g (gain 50g) - 21wks (4.5m)
Nixie is 460g (gained 55g) - 8wks (2m)
Phoebe is now 845g (gain 30g) - 38wks (8.5m)
Pollyanna is now 515g (gained 70g) - 9wks (2m)
Ruby is 1080g (gain 15g) - 42wks (10m)
Sparrow is 1140g (gain 55g) - 39wks (9m) - (Pregnant, due 22/1/12)
Subi is 1180g (gain 35g) - 2.5yrs
Tabitha is 500g (gain 45g) - 10wks (2.5m)
Twizzle is 730g (gain 40g) - 15wks (3.5m)
Xeraphina is 640g (gain 50g) 13wks (3m)
Yeti is 1030g (gain 35g) - 31wks (7m) - (Pregnant, due approx 22/1/12)


***On Hold/Adoptable***

Lulu is 675g (gain 35g) - 18wks (4m)
Amity is 340g (gain 30g) - 5wks


***New Mums***

Violet is now 650g (gave birth - 190g baby) - 25wks (5.5m) - (nursing)
Henry is 100g (newborn)
Hamlet is 90g (newborn)

Peppa is 1050g (lost 35g) - 1yr - (nursing Leilani's bubs)
Leilani is 760g (lost 15g) - 29wks (6.5m)- (nursing)
Pudding is 145g (gain 60g) - 1wk
Puddles is 155g (gain 65g) - 1wk
Promise is 150g (gained 55g) - 1wk
Peanut is 85g (gained 35g) - 1wk
Panda is 170g (gained 70g) - 1wk


It's so relieving to see how well Leilani's bubs are doing. I'm even really happy with Peanut's gain. It looks so much smaller than everyone else, but is on par for the same percentage body mass increase. I've got some one-week-old update pics of the bubs to post tomorrow too.


I've also discovered that some of the girls can get themselves up the ramp in the mansion cage, but don't know how to get back down. Poor Delilah was letting me know that she was stuck during the week, so I was trying to teach her how to get down. This is a shot I snapped while she was being stubborn and putting the breaks on. Ginger got really curious about what we were doing and jumped up onto the ramp shortly after this was taken too. (I still don't think Delilah knows what to do - but I think she's decided to just not go up there in the first place now).



And I snapped these shots of Chloe (lighter coloured texel x abyssinian/peruvian, 14 weeks) and Jasmine (Black/white Pedigree texel, 16weeks) during the week as well. I thought it was really interesting to compare their coats. If I didn't know better, I would have thought Chloe was the pedigree!

Weigh in

The last weigh in for 2011, Saturday the 31st Dec 2011:


*** Liam's Love Shack ***
Liam is 925g (gain 45g) - 38wks (8.5m)
Ivy is 685g (gain 15g) - 14wks (3m)
Elodie is 865g (gain 40g) - 22wks (5m)


*** Romeo's Roost ***
Romeo is 620g (gain 20g) - 13wks (3m)
Lavender Mist is 725g (gain 10g) - 20wks (5m)
Zinnia is 605g (loss 35g) - 14wks (3m)


*** Malakai's Quarters ***
Malakai is 840g (gain 20g) - 21wks (5m)
Galaxy is 1065g (same)- 50wks (11.5m)- (Pregnant, due approx 27/1/12)


*** Girl's Mansion ***
Alice is 1035g (gain 40g) - 47wks (11m)- (Pregnant, due approx 27/1/12)
Bella-Donna is 405g (gain 55g) - 5wks (1m)
Chloe is 580g (gain 50g) - 13wks (3m)
Crumble is 1235g (gain 115g) - 1yr - (pregnant, due approx 4th Feb 2012)
Custard is 960g (loss 15g) - 4.5yrs
Delilah is 865g (gained 15g) - approx 1yr
Ginger is 940g (gain 5g)- 41wks (9.5m)
Jasmine is 565g (gain 30g) - 15wks (3.5m)
Lotus is 655g (gained 20g) - 14wks (3m)
Millicent is 980g (gain 100g) - 21wks (5m)- (Pregnant, due approx 15/1/12)
Molly is 745g (gain 25g) - 20wks (4.5m)
Nixie is 405g (gained 25g) - 7wks (1.5m)
Phoebe is now 815g (same) - 37wks (8.5m)
Pollyanna is now 445g (gained 35g) - 8wks (1.5m)
Ruby is 1065g (lost 25g) - 41wks (9.5m)
Sparrow is 1085g (gain 35g) - 38wks (8.5m) - (Pregnant, due 22/1/12)
Subi is 1145g (lost 25g) - 2.5yrs - (Possibly miscarried, not sure at this stage)
Tabitha is 455g (gain 20g) - 9wks (2m)
Tigerlily is 610g (gain 15g) - 14wks (3m)
Twizzle is 690g (gain 15g) - 14wks (3m)
Violet is 810g (gained 50g) - 24wks (5m) - (Pregnant, due approx 15/1/12)
Xeraphina is 590g (gain 10g) 12wks (2.5m)
Yeti is 995g (gain 45g) - 30wks (6.5m) - (Pregnant, due approx 22/1/12)


***On Hold/Adoptable***

Lulu is 640g (gain 15g) - 17wks (4m)
Amity is 310g (gain 95g) - 4wks


***New Mums***

Peppa is 1265g (lost 305g (of which 180g was baby)) - 1yr - (nursing Leilani's bubs)
Leilani is 775g (lost 475g (of which 435g was baby!)) - 28wks (6.5m)- (nursing)
Pudding is 85g (lost 15g) - 3days old
Puddles is 90g (same) - 3 days old
Promise is 95g (gained 5g) - 3 days old
Peanut is 50g (lost 5g) - 3 days old
Panda is 100g (same) - 3 days old





Well, the babies are yet to really gain much weight. But they are only 3 days old. I have noticed in other litters that there can be a little drop in the first few days. Peppa delivered a HUGE 180g, 15cm long baby girl this morning. But she was stillborn. I do not know if she died during labour, or if Peppa left her in the sack after her birth... she was a perfect replica of her mum, but wasn't cleaned at all. I think the shock of having to give birth to a newborn the size of a 2-3week old was too much for poor Peppa. She has however, taken some of Leilani's litter under her wing. I watched her this afternoon, and she's taken a particular liking to Promise and Peanut. You can see Peppa and Promise in the photo above. It is a tragedy to loose Peppa's baby girl, but a blessing to have her helping with the nursing of Leilani's bubs (none of them seemed terribly interested in my supplemental feeds).


[Little Peanut enjoying the mountain of grain!]


[Puddles and Pudding in the big cage]

We had a huge day today on top of this morning's sad find. All cages were cleaned, all piggies weighed, Bonnie, Jairo and Alba went to new homes and Panda and Puddles met their new family and were put on hold. I got some updated pics of the proud new daddy Malakai (shown at the very top of this post and below) and discovered that Violet's pelvis is already starting to dilate too. So we might have yet another litter within the week.



The last piggy left for adoption now is Lulu. She was due to meet her new family tomorrow, but they have had to let her go due to unforeseen circumstances. If you think you might have a forever home for little Lulu, let me know at eleb2000@hotmail.com.

Christmas Eve Weigh In

[Leilani's Christmas Pose!]

The weigh in for Saturday the 24th Dec 2011:


*** Liam's Love Shack ***
Liam is 880g (loss 80g) - 37wks (8.5m)
Crumble is 1120g (loss 15g) - 1yr
Elodie is 825g (loss 55g) - 21wks (4.5m)


*** Romeo's Roost ***
Romeo is 600g (gain 35g) - 12wks (2.5m)
Lavender Mist is 715g (gain 5g) - 19wks (4.5m)
Zinnia is 640g (gain 15g) - 13wks (3m)


*** Malakai's Quarters ***
Malakai is 820g (gain 10g) - 20wks (4.5m)
Jairo is 230g (gain 65g) - 3wks


*** Girl's Mansion ***
Alba is 960g (loss 20g) - 43wks (10m)
Alice is 995g (gain 35g) - 46wks (10.5m)- (Pregnant, due approx 27/1/12)
Bella-Donna is 350g (gain 50g) - 4wks (1m)
Bonnie is 935g (loss 20g) - 30wks (7m)
Chloe is 530g (loss 10g) - 12wks (2.5m)
Custard is 975g (gain 15g) - 4.5yrs
Delilah is 850g (gained 35g) - approx 1yr
Galaxy is 1065g (same)- 50wks (11.5m)- (Pregnant, due approx 27/1/12)
Ginger is 935g (loss 10g)- 40wks (9m)
Ivy is 660g (same) - 13wks (3m)
Jasmine is 535g (gain 15g) - 14wks (3m)
Leilani is 1250g (gained 65g) - 27wks (6m)- (Pregnant, due approx 30/12/11)
Lotus is 635g (gained 5g) - 13wks (3m)
Millicent is 880g (gain 70g) - 20wks (5m)- (Pregnant, due approx 15/1/12)
Molly is 720g (gain 20g) - 19wks (4.5m)
Nixie is 385g (gained 20g) - 6wks (1.5m)
Peppa is 1265g (gained 10g) - 1yr - (Pregnant, due approx 6/1/12)
Phoebe is now 815g (gain 15g) - 36wks (8.5m)
Pollyanna is now 410g (gained 15g) - 7wks (1.5m)
Ruby is 1090g (gain 10g) - 40wks (9m)
Sparrow is 1050g (gain 20g) - 38wks (8.5m) - (Pregnant, due 22/1/12)
Subi is 1165g (same) - 2.5yrs - (Pregnant, due 22/1/12)
Tabitha is 435g (gain 35g) - 8wks (2m)
Tigerlily is 595g (gain 5g) - 13wks (3m)
Twizzle is 675g (gain 15g) - 13wks (3m)
Violet is 760g (gained 5g) - 23wks (5m) - (Pregnant, due approx 15/1/12)
Xeraphina is 580g (gain 50g) 11wks (2.5m)
Yeti is 950g (same) - 29wks (6.5m) - (Pregnant, due 22/1/12)


***On Hold***

Lulu is 625g (gain 25g) - 16wks (3.5m) - (nursing)
Anthea is 230g (gain 55g) - 3wks
Amity is 205g (gain 45g) - 3wks


***Adopted Today (weights as a baseline for new families) ***

Gypsy is 220g (gain 60g) - 3.5wks
Grace is 235g (gain 60g) - 3.5wks
Rafia is 580g (loss 15g) - 16wks (4m)
Juji is 190g (gain 40g) - 3wks

Not the best week this week - lots of losses, and lots of only small gains. I wasn't expecting another massive week like last week though, but if we have such small gains next week I'll have to look at what's going on. Most concerning was Liam's loss of 80g. He seems perfectly fine, but is definitely lighter to hold. His teeth look great, he's active and eating. He'll need an extra close eye on him this week I think.

Gypsy and Grace went to their wonderful new home this morning, as did Rafia and her daughter Juji. Both families were beautiful, and I think the girls are going to be muchly loved. We now only have baby Jairo left looking for his new home, and two of my big girls. (Check the adoption page for more info).

Well, it's Christmas Eve, so you might not hear from me for a few days now (unless Leilani gives us some Christmas babies overnight!). Have a wonderful Christmas, and give your piggies an extra cuddle and a chin rub for me!

weigh in

[Lavender and Romeo fighting over a blade of grass!]

The weigh in for Saturday the 17th Dec 2011:


*** Liam's Love Shack ***
Liam is 960g (gain 10g) - 36wks (8.5m)
Crumble is 1135g (gain 50g) - 1yr
Elodie is 825g (gain 75g) - 20wks (4.5m)


*** Romeo's Roost ***
Romeo is 565g (gain 40g) - 11wks (2.5m)
Lavender Mist is 710g (gain 5g) - 18wks (4m)


*** Malakai's Quarters ***
Malakai is 810g (gain 10g) - 19wks (4m)
Molly is 700g (gain 35g) - 18wks (4m)


*** Girl's Mansion ***
Alba is 980g (gain 40g) - 42wks (9.5m)
Alice is 960g (gain 70g) - 45wks (10.5m)
Chloe is 540g (gain 70g) - 11wks (2.5m)
Custard is 960g (gain 35g) - 4.5yrs
Delilah is 815g (gained 25g) - approx 1yr
Galaxy is 1065g (gain 70g)- 49wks (11m)
Ivy is 660g (gained 70g) - 12wks (2.5m)
Jasmine is 520g (gain 40g) - 13wks (3m)
Leilani is 1185g (gained 60g) - 26wks (6m)- (Pregnant, due approx 30/12/11)
Lotus is 630g (gained 55g) - 12wks (2.5m)
Millicent is 880g (gain 95g) - 19wks (4.5m)- (Pregnant, due approx 15/1/12)
Nixie is 365g (gained 60g) - 5wks (1m)
Peppa is 1255g (gained 75g) - 1yr - (Pregnant, due approx 6/1/12)
Phoebe is now 800g (gain 50g) - 35wks (8m)
Pollyanna is now 395g (gained 70g) - 6wks (1.5m)
Ruby is 1080g (gain 60g) - 39wks (9m)
Sparrow is 1030g (gain 25g) - 37wks (8.5m) - (Pregnant, due 22/1/12)
Subi is 1165g (gain 5g) - 2.5yrs - (Pregnant, due 22/1/12)
Tabitha is 400g (gain 55g) - 7wks (1.2m)
Tigerlily is 590g (gain 65g) - 12wks (2.5m)
Twizzle is 660g (gain 60g) - 12wks (2.5m)
Violet is 755g (gained 35g) - 22wks (5m) - (Pregnant, due approx 15/1/12)
Xeraphina is 530g (gain 50g) 10wks (2.5m)
Yeti is 950g (gain 80g) - 28wks (6.5m) - (Pregnant, due 22/1/12)
Zinnia is 625g (gain 65g) - 12wks (2.5m)


***New Mums***

Rafia is 595g (gain 15g) - 15wks (3.5m) - (nursing)
Juji is 150g (gain 30g) - 2wks
Jairo is 165g (gain 35g - 2wks

Ginger is 945g (gained 10g)- 39wks (9m) - (nursing)
Gypsy is 160g (gain 45g) - 2wks
Grace is 175g (gain 55g) - 2wks

Lulu is 625g (gain 25g) - 16wks (3.5m) - (nursing)
Anthea is 230g (gain 55g) - 3wks
Amity is 205g (gain 45g) - 3wks

Bonnie is 955g (gain 20g) - 29wks (6.5m) - (nursing)
Bella-Donna is 300g (gain 55g) - 3wks
Bethanie is 305g (gain 70g) - 3wks


[the aftermath of grain-eating time. They get it everywhere!]


Wow.

All I can say is WOW. That has got to be one of the best weeks we've had with consistent gains in a long time. Even the nursing mum's gained. I was sitting here trying to work out what we did differently this week... and the only thing was the new batch of grain! They're all obviously enjoying this lot!



[Yeti's hair is already growing back in!]

I've been waiting on a few of my girls to determine if they had buns in the oven, or if it was just a bit of excess grain-gobbling. But this week we've confirmed Millicent (fathered by Malakai), Violet (father by Pooh Bear - the texel on loan), Sparrow (fathered by Liam), Subi (most likely fathered by Liam, as Sprout didn't seem to have done the job), and Yeti (fathered by Liam).

*Yeti and Liam are going to have STUNNING babies! They will be alpaca x texel.

*Subi and Liam's bubs will be purebred rex x pedigree texel.

*Sparrow and Liam's bubs have a high possibility of being curly (Sparrow's two litter-brothers were both curly haired, so it's very likely she carries the recessive gene)

*and Violet and Pooh Bear will have either purebred texels (if I can't get his paperwork) or pedigree if I can.



[Ginger having a snooze yesterday afternoon]

Weigh in

[Bonnie and her BIG 2 week old baby girls!]

The weigh in for Saturday the 10th Dec 2011:


*** Liam's Love Shack ***
Liam is 950g (gain 25g) - 35wks (8m)
Crumble is 1085g (gain 5g) - 1yr
Elodie is 750g (gain 20g) - 19wks (4.5m)


*** Romeo's Roost ***
Romeo is 525g (gain 55g) - 10wks (2m)
Lavender Mist is 705g (gain 35g) - 17wks (4m)


*** Malakai's Quarters ***
Malakai is 800g (gain 70g) - 18wks (4m)
Molly is 665g (gain 50g) - 17wks (4m)


*** Violet's Arrangement ***
Violet is 720g (gained 55g) - 21wks (4.5m)
Pooh Bear is 1040g (same) - on loan


*** Girl's Mansion ***
Alba is 940g (loss 15g) - 41wks (9.5m)
Alice is 890g (loss 10g) - 44wks (10m)
Chloe is 470g (gain 20g) - 10wks (2m)
Custard is 925g (loss 70g) - 4.5yrs
Delilah is 790g (gained 35g) - approx 1yr
Galaxy is 995g (gain 15g)- 48wks (11m)
Ivy is 590g (gained 25g) - 11wks (2.5m)
Jasmine is 480g (gain 30g) - 12wks (2.5m)
Leilani is 1125g (gained 95g) - 25wks (5.5m) -(Pregnant, due approx 30/12/11)
Lotus is 575g (gained 40g) - 11wks (2.5m)
Millicent is 785g (gain 75g) - 19wks (4.5m)
Nixie is 305g (gained 70g) - 4wks (1m)
Peppa is 1180g (gained 65g) - 1yr -(Pregnant, due approx 6/1/12)
Phoebe is now 750g (gain 25g) - 34wks (8m)
Ruby is 1020g (same) - 38wks (8.5m)
Sparrow is 1005g (gain 25g) - 36wks (8m)
Subi is 1160g (loss 10g) - 2.5yrs
Tabitha is 345g (gain 30g) - 6wks (1.2m)
Tigerlily is 525g (gain 65g) - 10wks (2m)
Twizzle is 600g (gain 15g) - 11wks (2.5m)
Xeraphina is 480g (gain 35g) 9wks (2m)
Yeti is 870g (loss 20g) - 27wks (6m)
Zinnia is 560g (gain 5g) - 11wks (2.5m)


***New Mums***

Rafia is 580g (lost 215g giving birth) - 14wks (3m) - (nursing)
Juji is 120g (gain 10g) - 1wk
Jairo is 130g (gain 25g - 1wk

Ginger is 935g (gained 90g)- 38wks (9m) - (nursing)
Gypsy is 115g (gain 35g) - 1wk
Grace is 120g (gain 40g) - 1wk

Lulu is 600g (gain 25g) - 15wks (3.5m) - (nursing)
Anthea is 175g (gain 50g) - 2wks
Amity is 160g (gain 40g) - 2wks

Bonnie is 935g (lost 35g) - 28wks (6.5m) - (nursing)
Bella-Donna is 245g (gain 60g) - 2wks
Bethanie is 235g (gain 50g) - 2wks


Another good week. Nearly everyone gained - and most importantly the babies gained. This is Ginger and her girls at 1 week old. I rarely actually see Ginger feeding them herself (which might explain why she gained so much even as a nursing mum this week!?), but it looks like Gypsy and Grace are finding other nipples nonetheless!

No new pregnancy confirmations yet. Millicent has been with Malakai for about 7 weeks now, and there's just the hint of a belly swelling at the moment, so I thought I'd pop her back in the mansion cage as I know she prefers it there. She climbed straight up the ramp and took over the upstairs section. I should know in a fortnight or so if that swelling is baby-related or food-related!




Malakai has proven himself with Peppa's pregnancy confirmed last week, so at least I know he's figured out what to do with his little 'weapon'. Having the girls pregnant during summer is definitely not ideal though, but when there is only a limited window of opportunity for a female to have her first litter, and that's when it falls, you have to weigh the risks of too early/too late first pregnancy versus the season. I choose to provide extra comforts/additional TLC - ie. have them live inside in aircon/constant access to cool water/trimming any excess coat as I personally feel the risk of pregnancy too early/late is greater than the risk of the weather. (Please keep in mind that this is just MY opinion though, and there are many who would disagree and prefer to breed later in the animals life).


And just for good measure - I thought I'd add an updated pic of Elodie (Malakai's sister), now 4 months old. She's growing up so beautifully!

Weigh in and Peppa's Pregnancy

The weigh in for Saturday the 3rd Dec 2011:


*** Liam's Love Shack ***
Liam is 925g (loss 30g) - 34wks (8m)
Crumble is 1080g (gain 25g) - 1yr
Elodie is 730g (gain 5g) - 18wks (4m)


*** Romeo's Roost ***
Romeo is 470g (gain 45g) - 9wks (2m)
Lavender Mist is 670g (gain 20g) - 16wks (3.5m)


*** Malakai's Quarters ***
Malakai is 730g (loss 15g) - 18wks (4m)
Millicent is 715g (gain 35g) - 18wks (4m)
Molly is 615g (gain 5g) - 16wks (3.5m)
Sparrow is 980g (same) - 35wks (8m)


*** Violet's Arrangement ***
Violet is 665g (gained 25g) - 20wks (4.5m)
Pooh Bear is 1040g (gained 5g) - on loan


*** Girl's Mansion ***
Alba is 955g (gain 35g) - 40wks (9m)
Alice is 900g (gain 30g) - 43wks (10m)
Chloe is 450g (gain 60g) - 9wks (2m)
Custard is 995g (gain 30g) - 4.5yrs
Delilah is 665g (gained 90g) - approx 1yr
Galaxy is 980g (gain 15g)- 47wks (11m)
Ivy is 565g (gained 65g) - 10wks (2m)
Jasmine is 450g (gain 25g) - 11wks (2.5m)
Leilani is 1030g (gained 80g) - 24wks (5.5m) - (Pregnant, Due approx 30/12/11)
Lotus is 535g (gained 35g) - 10wks (2m)
Peppa is 1115g (gained 20g) - 1yr - (Pregnant, due approx 6/1/12)
Ruby is 1020g (gained 40g) - 37wks (8.5m)
Subi is 1170g (gain 10g) - 2.5yrs
Tabitha is 315g (gain 65g) - 5wks (1m)
Tigerlily is 525g (gain 65g) - 10wks (2m)
Twizzle is 585g (gain 75g) - 10wks (2m)
Xeraphina is 445g (gain 55) 8wks (1.5m)
Yeti is 890g (gain 30g) - 26wks (6m)
Zinnia is 555g (gain 65g) - 10wks (2m)


***Re-homing/Foster Pigs***
Rafia is 795g (gain 55g) - 13wks (3m) - (Heavily pregnant, due approx 8/12)



***New Mums***
Ginger was 810g post birth (lost 635g, 490g was baby), now 855g (gained 45g since Wed)- 37wks (9m) - (nursing)
Gypsy is 80g (lost 20g since birth) - newborn
Grace is 80g (lost 10g since birth) - newborn

Lulu is 575g (lost 10g) - 14wks (3m) - (nursing)
Anthea is 125g (gain 15g) - 1 week
Amity is 120g (same) - 1 week

Bonnie is 970g (gain 20g) - 27wks (6m) - (nursing)
Bella-Donna is 185g (gain 45g) - 1 week
Bethanie is 180g (gain 40g) - 1 week

Phoebe is now 725g (gain 15g) - 33wks (7.5m) - (nursing)
Nixie is 235g (gained 50g) - 3wks



So not a bad week all round. Sheba and Demi went to a very special new home to live out their days in luxury! And Noah went to his very delighted new mum as well! We have Pollyanna arrive, along with Ginger's litter on Wednesday. Very busy!

We also have another confirmed pregnancy! At last - I can confirm that Peppa is pregnant to Malakai! He's doing his job!!! lol. I am SO excited to see these babies. Peppa is stunning, and Malakai is incredible as well. I've estimated her due date as early Jan 2012.

Weigh in with 45 piggies!

[Our very adoptable 'Sadie', now 4 weeks old. Check the Available Page for all current adoptable pigs]




The weigh in for Saturday the 26th November 2011:

*** Liam's Love Shack ***
Liam is 955g (gain 5g) - 33wks (7.5m)
Crumble is 1055g (loss 45g) - 1 year old (Happy Birthday Crumble!)
Elodie is 725g (same) - 17wks (4m)


*** Romeo's Roost ***
Romeo is 425g (gain 50g) - 8wks (1.5m)
Lavender Mist is 650g (loss 30g) - 15wks (3.5m)


*** Malakai's Quarters ***
Malakai is 745g (gain 25g) - 17wks (4m)
Millicent is 680g (gain 30g) - 17wks (4m)
Molly is 610g (gain 20g) - 15wks (3.5m)
Sparrow is 980g (loss 20g) - 34wks (8m)


*** Violet's Arrangement ***
Violet is 640g (gained 10g) - 19wks (4.5m)
Pooh Bear is 1035g (gained 5g) - on loan


*** Girl's Mansion ***
Alba is 920g (loss 10g) - 39wks (8.5m)
Alice is 870g (loss 5g) - 42wks (10m)
Chloe is 390g (gain 50g) - 8wks (1.5m)
Custard is 960g (loss 50g) - 4.5yrs
Demi is 480g (gained 60g) - 9wks (2m)
Galaxy was 965g (loss 15g)- 46wks (10.5m)
Ginger is 1445g (gained 70g) - 36wks (8.5m) - (Heavily pregnant, due approx 2/12)
Ivy is 500g (gained 35g) - 9wks (2m)
Jasmine is 425g (gain 50g) - 10wks (2m)
Leilani is 950g (gained 60g) - 23wks (5.5m) - (Pregnant, Due approx 30/12)
Lotus is 500g (gained 40g) - 9wks (2m)
Peppa is 1095g (gained 75g) - 1yr
Ruby is 980g (gained 5g) - 36wks (8.5m)
Sheba is 1035g (gain 5g) - 44wks (10.5m)
Subi is 1160g (loss 20g) - 2.5yrs
Tigerlily is 460g (loss 10g) - 9wks (2m)
Twizzle is 510g (gain 20g) - 9wks (2m)
Yeti is 860g (loss 20g) - 25wks (5.5m)
Zinnia is 490g (gain 20g) - 9wks (2m)


***Re-homing/Foster Pigs***
Rafia is 740g (gained 20g) - 12wks (2.5m) - (pregnant, due approx 8/12)
Tabitha is 250g (gain 15g) - 4wks - (treating for mites)
Xeraphina is 390g (same) 7wks - (treating for mites)


***New Mums***
Lulu is 585g (gave birth) - 13wks (3m) - (nursing)
Anthea is 110g (newborn)
Amity is 120g (newborn

Bonnie is 950g (gave birth) - 26wks (6m) - (nursing)
Bella-Donna is 140g (gain 15g since birth) - newborn
Bethanie is 140g (loss 10g since birth) - newborn

Phoebe is now 710g (loss 15g) - 32wks (7.5m) - (nursing)
Noah is 205g (gained 55g) - 2wks
Nixie is 185g (gained 35g) - 2wks

Delilah is 665g (lost 40g) - approx 1yr - (nursing)
Sadie is 260g (gained 25g) - 4wks
Suri is 270g (gained 20g) - 4wks



Everyone seems to be doing really well. A few losses, and a few gains, but we're pretty much on the right track. Noah and Nixie are little fire-crackers! They're a bit like the 'spoilt brats' of the girls group, getting away with outrageous things like sitting smack-bang in the middle of the grain bowl! All the other babies hang back at the outskirts, taking their turn once the girls have lost interest.

But Noah and Nixie aren't like the other babies! lol. They are definitely their mother's children!




We have some exciting news too, Leilani has been confirmed pregnant, approx 5 weeks. I've been keeping an eye on her for the last few weeks, but wasn't sure until today. She's always been a little chubby! She spent a fortnight with Malakai before I got information from her original breeder that her background is actually pedigree texel x pedigree coronet. That changed my plans quick smart - and she was taken from her stay-over with Malakai, and moved in with Liam. The problem with this is that the 'change over' happened exactly 5 weeks ago! So I won't know who the daddy is until the babies are born. Both boys have very different genetics to offer, so I'm thinking it should be pretty obvious. I'm secretly hoping they're Liam's, but if they're Malakai's it will be his first litter which will be nice too.


And lastly, our mite infected pigs are doing really well. Xeraphina (shown below) and Tabitha have no bald spots/scabbing/scaling anymore, and their coats are already growing back in. One more week or improvement and they'll be able to join the rest of the ladies in the mansion! (I'll do a more detailed post on their progress later in the week.)

Weigh in

The weigh in for Saturday the 12th November 2011:

*** Liam's Love Shack ***
Liam is 930g (gain 35g) - 31wks (7m)
Sparrow is 1025g (gain 70g) - 32wks (7.5m) (possibly pregnant, waiting to confirm)
Yeti is 870g (gain 45g) - 23wks (5.5m)


*** Sprout's Pad ***
Sprout is 910g (gain 5g) - 32wks (7.5m)
Otis is 335g (gain 125) - 5wks (1m)
Romeo is 400g (gain 70g) - 6wks (1m)


*** Malakai's Quarters ***
Malakai is 730g (gain 40g) - 15wks (3.5m)
Millicent is 650g (gain 80g) - 15wks (3.5m)
Peppa is 1090g (gain 140g) - 1yr (possibly pregnant, waiting to confirm)


*** Violet's Arrangement ***
Violet is 605g (lost 20g) - 17wks (4m)
Pooh Bear is 1000g (lost 50g) - on loan


*** Girl's Mansion ***
Alba is 950g (gain 60g) - 37wks (8.5m)
Alice is 850g (gain 85g) - 40wks (9m)
Bonnie is 1250g (gained 160g) - 24wks (5.5m) - (Pregnant, due approx 2/12)
Chloe is 320g (gain 60g) - 6wks (1m)
Crumble is 1100g (gained 45g) - 50wks (11.5m)
Custard is 1010g (gained 20g) - 4.5yrs
Demi is 420g (gained 50g) - 7wks (1.5m)
Elodie is 715g (gained 35g) - 15wks (3.5m)
Galaxy was 950g (gain 95g)- 44wks (10.5m)
Ginger is 1355g (gained 260g) - 34wks (8m) - (pregnant, due approx 2/12)
Ivy is 465g (gained 75g) - 7wks (1.5m)
Jasmine is 365g (gain 45g) - 8wks (1.5m)
Lavender Mist is 665g (gained 25g) - 13wks (3m)
Leilani is 875g (gained 15g) - 21wks (4.5m)
Lotus is 455g (gained 70g) - 7wks (1.5m)
Molly is 615g (gained 25g) - 13wks (3m)
Ruby is 970g (lost 10g) - 34wks (8m)
Sheba is 1010g (gain 20g) - 42wks (9.5m)
Subi is 1195g (gain 30g) - 2.5yrs
Tigerlily is 430g (gain 35g) - 7wks (1.5m)
Twizzle is 465g (gain 60g) - 7wks (1.5m)
Zinnia is 440g (gain 60g) - 7wks (1.5m)


***Re-homing/Foster Pigs***
Rafia is 685g (gained 100g) - 10wks (2.5m) - (pregnant, due approx 8/12)
Lulu is 720g (gained 80) - 11wks (2.5m) - (pregnant, due approx 5/12)
Olivia is 305g (gain 45g) - 5wks (1m) - (On Hold)
Tabitha is 205g (first weigh in) - 2wks - (treating for mites)
Xeraphina is 340g (first weigh in) 5wks - (treating for mites)
Flick is 590g (first weigh in) - 10wks - (On Hold)

***New Mums***
Phoebe is now 725g (lost 360g) - 30wks (7m)- (gave birth, nursing)
Noah is 90g (gained 15g in the last two days!) - newborn
Nixie is 95g (gained 5g in the last two days) - newborn

Delilah is 735g (first weigh in) - approx 1yr (nursing)
Sadie is 175g (first weigh in) - 2wks
Suri is 190g (first weigh in) - 2wks


And, we're almost at capacity again! It seems that as quickly as my babies find wonderful new families, and my foster pigs waddle off to new homes, more piggies end up taking their place! I can't claim innocence there though, I do love to meet new pigs, and help those that need a bit of assistance.



The two new girls from yesterday's intake are doing a lot better this evening than they were this morning. I woke up to find this mess on Xeraphina's back - she was compulsively biting into herself. The most logical explanation for this is simply that the ivermectin treatment I administered yesterday has exacerbated the mange mites, and she's now itchier than ever. Hopefully the drug will start killing off the bugs very soon and some of that itchiness will subside. I must admit she's been very good this afternoon, and the wound doesn't look so raw any more.

So while my quarantined newbies stayed inside in air-conditioned comfort, the rest of the pigs were getting some grass time. I've moved Sprout and Malakai's cages and positioned them behind the mansion cage to try and avoid whatever it was about their old position that seemed to be stressing them out. So far so good too - both cages had good gains this week - making up for lost time!



I also gave a select few girls a taste of supervised free-ranging while our puppy dog was locked in the now empty side-yard with a big bone to keep him happy. Bonnie loved it - and is getting quite large now! Not as large as Ginger though, who gained an incredible 260g this week. That is a new record for us. You can feel every last gram of that too when you pick her up. Either she's a little further along than I guessed, or there are a LOT of babies in there...



Lulu's really bulked out in the last week or so too. Her fungal infection has completely cleared up as well. All she needs to do now is feed those growing babies of hers!



Oh - and I couldn't end this week's weigh in without this awesome shot of Bonnie and her mum Subi together! Colour-contrasting fat bottoms!