Good day, Hivers! It's been a week full of errands at home, been busy in school due to some activities and events. Meanwhile, I have to pause and scroll on PeakD for engagement when a sudden shout interrupted my peaceful engagement. "Ate Jojo nanganak inyung anay!" (Aunt Jojo your sow just gave birth!) I hurriedly went to the window to see if it was true. Indeed, two piglets already came out!
I haven't heard the cry of piglets that's why I didn't noticed that our "Kabang" gave birth. Another piglet has just come out, the third one. We named our sow kabang because of its hair color spots of black and white. She is our first ever sow we raised until the day of her impregnation. Usually, she gave birth to 12 to 17 piglets, that's too many already but it needs to be taken cared of since we don't have a cage for her.
These children helped me in taking care of the newly born piglets. The first one from the left and the center are my nephews. Three of them are just our neighbors and as you can see, the two are identical twin brothers. They happen to pass by from our house since they were playing somewhere and spotted the piglets walking around the corner. That's why they called me.
I was already expecting the due date of our sow's birth since I marked our calendar but never expect that it was already the time. They're like humans that the expected date would probably goes advance or be delayed for one to two days. Normally, one hundred and fourteen days count before it gave birth.
Kabang is a good mother to her piglets since she looks around before laying down, and if someone cries, she suddenly rises and gathers them around in one corner. From her previous piglets, it is accustomed already that nine to eleven piglets will survive due to lack of milk or being overpowered by their siblings.
Before leading them to their mother, they first have to undergo "clean up". First, prepare a Nail cutter, knot, scissors, and a Lacto Pafi product that we bought at a pharmacy.
My mother was the "mananabang" (midwife) of our sow. She then cut piglets' teeth because they have sharp teeth and have to be taken so that the mother will let them suck. Next, tie the umbilical cord so that it's not too close or far so that the rest of it would be cut. Cut its tail and dip it in Lacto Pafi product to lessen the blood and heal easily. Then, half a cup (cover of the bottle) of the Lacto Pafi should be given to each piglet. I don't know what's for but my mother said it so.
After the cleanup, they're allowed to suck milk already. Nevertheless, there were times when piglets haven't done the cleanup, they're mother pushed them, maybe because of their sharp teeth.
After all the struggles, "kabang" gave birth to 12 healthy piglets. When the placenta came out, it's a sign that the birth stops however there are some instances the placenta already came out but there's still a piglet coming next. Hopefully, all of them will survive. Such a blessing that comes our way. How about you? Do you have domestic animals at home? Such a big help to our needs in the future.
It's time for snacks! I bought some bread and juice for the children who helped us in this endeavor. Others chose coffee with milk which they used to it. Excuse our way of eating snacks on the floor with watching television. Their young minds are not a hindrance to help but a power to change.
That's all for today Hivers! Thank you for reading my blog and keep safe everyone!
