The birth period is beginning, and the sows have drawn apart from the flock. Nests for givng birth are being built and other necessary preparations made. The boar sow has a pregnancy period of up to 40 days. Piglets weigh 1,2 – 1,4 kg at birth. In the first week a piglet looses nearly 1/3 of its weight, then starts to gain weight again. After giving birth the sow keeps to the burrow for weeks, never leaving the piglets on their own. A sow’s most productive period is around her 5th and 6th year. She becomes sexually mature at three years, but it isn’t an infallible rule.
This winter 32 tons of grain have been fed to the animals on our feeding ground. To this comes generous amounts of bread and buns.
In this severe and snow-filled winter boars and deer keep near the feeding grounds, almost as if chained to them; already trampled paths are preferred, and as little energy as possible used.