The Great Piglet Swap

On the QT, I learned this evening that the injured piglet my family was nursing didn’t make it.

It’s hush hush because my kids don’t know. The piglet was still hanging on when my mom took them to the library.

The poor sugar turned blue not long after they left. But there was a swap, with yet another injured piglet.

I’ve learned that sows can get mean, viscous even, shortly after they give birth. That’s why farmers often have to separate the mom from her newborns until she’s calmed down a bit. This sow actually bit the heads of a couple of her youngins.

So, no one’s hugely optimistic even with this second one. He’s clearly suffering some defects from the attack. But he’s much more lively, squealing up a storm and suckling – even though he’s having some trouble swallowing everything.

As far as my kids know, their piglet has improved. I hope he keeps on improving.