Piglets everywhere!!

It has come to my attention that all my female pigs (both sows and gilts) come into heat that the same time, every three weeks, unless they are pregnant.  Over the summer I had three sows farrow the same day.  They had been placed with the boars weeks apart, but somehow managed to "sync up" and deliver me surprises the same day.  Recently, my two sows, Stella and Maisy delivered on the same day.  The interesting thing about that, is that Maisy was in with the boars two months before Stella.  Two and a half weeks later (gilts farrow earlier) Olive and Minnie both had litter within 24 hours of each other.

Now, I understand that this is mother nature and all that jazz.  But, wouldn't it make more sense for them to stagger out?  That way they wouldn't be drawing away resources (and boars) at the same time.  It also would be easier for me, if the pigs care!! It also seems to me, that the females seem to get pregnant in groups, it makes me wonder if the boars just sit around being lazy unless there is competition, or two girls competing.

I looked for peer reviewed articles on the subject, no dice.  So, I guess I will just keep my records and see what happens over the long term.

Livestock Guardian Dogs and Pigs

The dogs love the piglets!!  They are always trying to see into the farrowing pens and play with them.  I do let them come in, and check on everything daily.  Pigs and dogs are natural enemies, LGD's will guard anything that they bond with.  I want everyone to be safe and happy, so this early exposure is key.  Jess is learning to interact with all the animals.

Rory is always looking between the slats to see the piglets.  It's heart warming.

Wordless Wednesday -- Rory

And, we are back!

I decided it was time to get back to blogging.  I've been focused on Facebook and Instagram.  I prefer a place to have more thoughts and explanation, so here we are!

We have some exciting new KuneKune piglets.  Kunes work great on our property, they eat the fallen fruit and they are calm enough to get along with all the other animals.  They are smaller, so they are easier to handle.  

Stella had eight gorgeous piglets.  They were born last Wednesday, 11-26.  They are thriving so far.  I must admit, I was a bit worried with eight tiny piglets.  But, Stella is a seasoned mother and is doing a great job!!  I've been supplementing her food, she loves oranges and hard boiled eggs.  

Weekend Update

This weekend we got quite a bit accomplished!  We set up the first chicken tractor, the 6 little Speckled Sussex are in there now.  It’s under the white sapote tree, so they have protection and lots to keep them busy!  I also set up the electric fence around some of the orange trees.  Once I have good shelters I plan to put Stella, Stanley, Mildred and Gertie in there.  I have enough shelters for everyone at this point, but, I have hog hutches coming soon, so I’ll just wait for those.  With the freezing temperatures I wouldn’t want the older ones to “hog” the shelters and the little ones to be left cold. 

This weekend we planted some bare root trees, we were letting the pigs walk around and do some exploring, they were very interested in everything we did!  Gypsy wants to play with the smallest pig, Tillie.  Tillie runs and Gypsy thinks it’s a great game, so I have to watch them.  Gypsy is not trying to hurt the little pigs, but I don’t want her to learn to chase them and I don’t want to stress the little pigs. 

I’m letting the big chickens roam in the afternoons after all the eggs have been laid.  They interacted with the puppies and the pigs.  It was fun.  The goats are very curious about the pigs, it’s funny to watch them when the pigs saunter in to the goat barn. 

We have had some very cold temperatures, I start every morning breaking ice in the pens.  However, it’s supposed to hit 70 later in the week.  

January 9th, 2013

1/9/2013

In the new year I’ve decided to start a chronicle of our farm life.  It will be a way for me to keep track of what happened, when, and how.  Some days my memory is not as great as others.  So, here I am. 

As I sit in my office I love to look out the window, past the palm trees and succulents is grass.  In this grass currently are my two favorite pigs, Stella and Stanley.  I just gave them oranges, so they are feasting.  I have a routine just about every day --  I go into the orchards, get fruit, drop some off to Stella and Stanley, then go to the baby pen and give them the rest.  Then I go to the white sapote tree, get some of those, plus leaves, for the chickens.  That’s their afternoon treat.  I don’t know what they will do when college starts back up and I’m gone in the afternoons to teach, they will have afternoon treats on a slightly different schedule! 

The Australorps have been laying for a little over a week now, I’m quite happy with them.  I get either two or three eggs a day, not bad for six pubescent hens in January!  I’m currently working on a plan to get them tractors.  This will allow me to separate breeds and keep them safe from the coyotes and neighborhood dogs.  I had originally planned to let the chickens out during the days, but there are simply too many predators out here for my comfort. 

Here’s my tip of the day from the Vet visit yesterday—if your animals have dry skin (we were talking pigs) give them a teaspoon or so of oil every day or so.  Not too much, but this will give them the Vitamin E they need to avoid dry skin. 

Lisa