GIRL PIGGY-POWER
NEWS COPY - WITH PICTURES - By Tom Kershaw
A hard working sow is taking a well earned rest after giving birth to a world first - a whopping 10 all-FEMALE piglets.
Two-year-old Gloucestershire old spot pig Elizabeth produced the rare decuplets in one sitting at Graves Park Animal Park in Sheffield, South Yorks.
The farmers at the park say the believe the huge litter of young female piglets is a world first.
Farm worker Jack Tankard, 22, said: “We are looking into it - but we think this might be the largest litter of all-female piglets that has ever been born.
“We were quite surprised when they all came out female - but it’s nice to have something unique and unusual at the farm."
The yield were delivered by stocksman Chris Dyson and all of the babies are healthy.
They will live on site with their mum and when they are older will either remain at Graves Park with the other sows, or be sold on to other farm parks or private buyers.
Speaking about the pigs, Jack said: "The pigs are a big attraction at the farm and we've had a few phone calls and messages on Facebook regarding the piglets.
“We have had a lot of visitors since they were born and everyone is saying how cute they are.
"People really like them because they are all female and spotty - they are really cute.
"We haven’t given them any names yet though - there are just too many and they all look alike."
The world record for the largest litter of male and female piglets is believed to be 27.
Daisy, a Kunekune pig from Dorset, gave birth to a whopping 27 mixed-sex piglets in the space of nine months - first producing 11 and then 16 little piggies.
Graves Park Animal Park is open to the public seven days a week and along with the pigs is also home to Highland cattle, Jacob sheep, goats, donkeys, waterfowl and other animals.
ENDS