I know I haven't made posts about the daily goings of my hedgehog breeding operation public. (It seems hyperactive and attention seeking to me). But I would love to include all of you in what, so far, is my happiest day to date.
Nala birthed three gorgeous, beautiful baby hoglets last night. To anyone else, they would be hideous, but they were some of the most beautiful little creatures I've ever seen. She might have had more, but I'm keeping the noise and disturbances down to a minimum. This was a *very* unexpected litter. She showed no signs, gained no weight, and never went off her feed (even 4 hours before she birthed, she was eating). So, while they might not survive, I have been a part of the amazing circle of life.
Not even a week ago, I had to make the heartbreaking decision to sell her. All small scale breeders know the awful reality of limited space, and as much as I wanted to keep my baby girl, we simply don't have enough room for a non-producer. While I don't look forward to the house renovations to get more space, I'm so unbelievably happy that my baby will be staying home.
It has been a 3 year long struggle to produce my first tangible babies. Yes, this is the first litter that I have actually seen
But I know every bit of experience I have gained along the way has been, and will be, a valuable asset to my future breedings. From my first hog who died of cancer, my second who passed of WHS, all the breeding problems in between, to the new hogs I will be picking up 2 days time, to the babies in the next room, I'm now eternally thankful for the heartbreaking things I've been through and waiting game that has played out.
I'll continue to update this thread as things progress!
PS - You guys totally missed out. Seeing Nala with babies cuddled next to her was a total squee!
ETA 1/26: 20 days after birth, they were handled for the first time. See the pictures on page 4!
Nala birthed three gorgeous, beautiful baby hoglets last night. To anyone else, they would be hideous, but they were some of the most beautiful little creatures I've ever seen. She might have had more, but I'm keeping the noise and disturbances down to a minimum. This was a *very* unexpected litter. She showed no signs, gained no weight, and never went off her feed (even 4 hours before she birthed, she was eating). So, while they might not survive, I have been a part of the amazing circle of life.
Not even a week ago, I had to make the heartbreaking decision to sell her. All small scale breeders know the awful reality of limited space, and as much as I wanted to keep my baby girl, we simply don't have enough room for a non-producer. While I don't look forward to the house renovations to get more space, I'm so unbelievably happy that my baby will be staying home.
It has been a 3 year long struggle to produce my first tangible babies. Yes, this is the first litter that I have actually seen
I'll continue to update this thread as things progress!
PS - You guys totally missed out. Seeing Nala with babies cuddled next to her was a total squee!
ETA 1/26: 20 days after birth, they were handled for the first time. See the pictures on page 4!
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