First Pigs

Dateline: 29 August 2015

(click picture for larger view)

We have finally gotten around to raising some pigs. My youngest son, James, took the initiative to get them and put a fence up for them. But it has been a team effort, with Marlene and I helping. They are fenced in on the lower part of the 16-acre property we bought three years ago. The picture above shows our field in the background. James and his wife live in the house that came with the property.

Pigs really do like mud. When they were first fenced in, there was a very wet spot for them to wallow in, but it has since dried up. In the next picture I poured two pails of water on the ground to give them some mud. They were very pleased with that.



Thus far, raising two pigs has been simple to do, and they are fun to watch. I'm pretty sure we will be doing this again.



5 comments:

You Can Call Me Jane said...

Pigs are wonderful! I'm glad you have some and are enjoying them:-).

ELittle said...

Hi Herrick, Well we didn't have any pigs this year because all the freezers are still mostly full of venison, 49 animals worth, and what is left over from a full grown steer after all the uneatable parts are removed. Guy who owns a herd of ANGUS had one butchered and packaged and sent to my middle son, for finishing off a garage apartment for free! That was carpentry, electrical and plumbing and heating! Next year we will have at least two. Don't forget to save out all the Leaf fat when you butcher and all that is left after making sausage, so that you can get a few pints of lard! It is a lot different than any you can buy in a store. I only have one pint left till next fall, BOO HOO.

Sherry said...

I love watching pigs, and they taste wonderful. Home grown is the way to go you know what was fed to them, and any drugs given. Enjoy!!

Sunshine said...

We haven't raised any pigs yet, but we hope to someday. I'll look forward to reading more about your experiences!

By the way, here is something interesting that I was reading about pigs: apparently they can be used to seal the bottom of a new earthen pond. It's called "gleying" the bottom, and if anyone is interested, you can read a little about it here: http://permies.com/t/38201/ponds/Progress-Gleying-Pond-Pigs

Unknown said...

Will be interested in hearing more about the pigs! Specifically do they cause long term damage to the soil in the pen area & using them to clear brushy areas.