|
|
Post by starbrightstella on Nov 22, 2015 4:34:40 GMT
One of our piggies, BlackBerry, was probably about a month pregnant when we got her. We were unaware of her prenancy until a few days before she gave birth. I'm guessing she was probably only around 3 months of age at the time as she was pretty small.
Well...her son is now 2 months old (in his own enclosure) and is growing quickly. He is almost as big as BlackBerry! I'm now wondering if her early pregnancy, and the fact that we are unaware of it, may have stunted her growth. It seems as though she has completely stopped growing.
She has received a balanced diet of appropriate veggies, Timothy hay, and oxbow pellets since we have had her. I have no idea what her housing and diet conditions were before she came to us. Would there have been something else we should have given to her if we had known she was expecting?
|
|
|
|
Post by 3piggles on Nov 22, 2015 15:42:16 GMT
Not necessarily. She may be a runt. My Zippy was a litter runt, and never got very big. He did grow a little over time, but was always the smallest pig I've had. She may also be from a smallish line of pigs, but bred with a boar from a largish line of pigs, which would make her son much bigger than she is. You've done all the things you could do to give her a healthy life. If she had a lack of nutrition and bad living conditions before you got her, that could have stunted her growth, but it wasn't from anything you did. You are still doing everything right, so if the pregnancy took a lot out of her system, which is does to all animals, it could take a while for her to start regaining weight, and get back to a weight that's normal for her. Keep doing what you're doing  |
|
|
|
Post by jolovespiggies on Nov 22, 2015 21:01:52 GMT
Oh bless her love, she has certainly landed on her little paws having you for a mum. It sounds as if you are doing a great job.
Hugs
JO xx
|
|
|
|
Post by starbrightstella on Nov 23, 2015 4:00:40 GMT
Thank you everyone for your kind words! I feel a little better about her. I'm still fairly new to piggies and I want to make sure I do everything I can to keep them happy and healthy.
|
|
|
|
Post by Bean on Nov 23, 2015 10:39:32 GMT
Her body has a lot of recovering to do, to get over the pregnancy, birth and nursing. She may just be a small pig, but it's possible her growth rate has been put on the back burner while her body catches up.
Her diet sounds great. Are her pellets alfalfa based? For a young pig, especially one who's had the extra strain of a pregnancy, that's the only think I can potentially see that you could do to give her a boost.
Does her body feel nice and solid - not skinny/ bony? If that's the case, or she's losing weight, then it'd be a good idea to get her checked out. But if she feels fine and is lively and well in herself, she's most likely doing fine.
|
|
|
|
Post by jolovespiggies on Nov 23, 2015 20:11:28 GMT
Do keep us posted hunni, I would love to give this very special little piggy and big cuddle and a nose rub.
Hugs
JO xx
|
|
|
|
Post by 3piggles on Nov 23, 2015 21:10:29 GMT
She will feel you not being as anxious, and that should help, too |
|
|
|
Post by starbrightstella on Nov 25, 2015 1:21:38 GMT
BlackBerry is doing very well - nice solid body, silky fur and bright, clear eyes. She is also eating and drinking well. Maybe she will just always be our little mini pig!
We have another female that is almost twice the size of BlackBerry. She just turned 1 and is also on the smaller side herself. It looks as though our boy will outgrow them both!
|
|
|
|
Post by 3piggles on Nov 25, 2015 13:08:34 GMT
Aw, that's great! Nothing like a healthy pig! She may also be from a small line, while the father was from a bigger line. As long as they are happy and healthy, that's all that matters |
|
|
|
Post by jolovespiggies on Nov 25, 2015 20:44:08 GMT
Oh bless her, tiny is extra cute. As you say hun, she maybe just a tiny girlie.
Hugs
JO xx
|
|
|
|
Post by 3piggles on Nov 26, 2015 15:30:55 GMT
Give them a nose bump from me |
|
|
|
Post by starbrightstella on Nov 27, 2015 2:00:23 GMT
I sure will. And....today is our Luna's 1st birthday. ☺
|
|
|
|
Post by Bean on Nov 27, 2015 9:10:45 GMT
Happy birthday Luna!
The kids always make birthday cakes for ours - a thick slice of cucumber with a little carved carrot candle sticking out of the top!
|
|
|
|
Post by jolovespiggies on Nov 27, 2015 19:36:17 GMT
Happy birthday honey.
Hugs
JO xx
|
|
|
|
Post by 3piggles on Nov 27, 2015 19:50:06 GMT
Happy Birthday, Luna The cakes sounds adorable, Bean |
|
