Frustratedearthmother's Journaling Journey

[Mini Horses]

Oh, my!! wow -- my fault???

I've got a lot of kune-kune around. They don't root "as" badly with shorter noses.....I'm told. but four?? Really, four ?!?!? Plus, they visually seem to have more belly than my AGHs. I'll be interested to hear reports, from grow out to harvest.

I'm still in the scheduling phase. The female is your downfall -- uhhh, I see homegrown piglets in your future, again. No shopping control!

 

[flowerbug]

isn't that what the nose-ring is for to discourage rooting? (note that's about the extent of my piggie knowledge )...

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Yep - all my plans fell apart for multiple reasons. Turns out that I know some people who know the owners of the pigs and I got part of the back story. They have some real challenges with a special needs child and the sale of these pigs are hopefully going to help them out. I'm a real softie when folks need help so that's one of the reasons I now have 4 piglets instead of the 2 I planned on.

Yep, the female and the male might end up being a breeding pair. These pigs are much smaller than the AGH's. Definitely have my doubts about their lineage. I'm thinking there might be a speck of pot belly thrown into the mix. Not exactly what I was planning on but... Their sows were maybe 60 lbs but they were still very young...having farrowed at about 10 months and they were thin. Probably should have been 100lbs. The folks, who were really nice people, have a different philosophy on raising pigs than I do and being financially challenged haven't been able to supply anything but whole corn. I've fed plenty of corn to pigs, but I think the babies need a good starter feed which they're getting now. We'll see if it gives their growth a jumpstart. They've already decided that starter pellets are GOOD, and topped with a few quail eggs and they think they're in piggy heaven.

Their IPP boar was really nice and maybe 150lbs at a year old. The small size is what led to my decision to go with a pair. It appears that I'll be harvesting these at a smaller size than the AGH's. Not a total downer because butchering a smaller animal is much easier on me. Because of the smaller meat yield I'll need to harvest more animals. Thus - the need for my own factory, lol.

Like all new farm ventures this will be on an experimental basis. If it doesn't work - it'll be canned.

My 7 month old silkie finally started laying. I'll be tossing a few eggs in the incubator today. I've got a previous goat buyer who has been waiting on eggs too so I'll start saving some for him now. Silkies seem to be in short supply around here so hoping there's a good market.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

isn't that what the nose-ring is for to discourage rooting? (note that's about the extent of my piggie knowledge )...

Rooting is a negative for some folks - but I am not opposed to it in certain areas. They can root out weeds and turn the soil while fertilizing it. Not a terrible thing...

 

[flowerbug]

Rooting is a negative for some folks - but I am not opposed to it in certain areas. They can root out weeds and turn the soil while fertilizing it. Not a terrible thing...

if their fertilizer smelled like roses i could see them as ok, but still not for me. hope you enjoy them!

p.s. yes i am a delicate little flower...

 

[Mini Horses]

So NOW, I'm a little concerned at the thought of getting piglets, again. Ya see, I have a garden area that could use a winter "plow & eat the roots" session....a desire for more good tasting pork, and confidence I'm not the only nut case alive

 

[frustratedearthmother]

I have a garden area that could use a winter "plow & eat the roots" session....a desire for more good tasting pork, and confidence I'm not the only nut case alive

You are definitely NOT the only nut case, lol. I've been willingly fulfilling that role for many, many years! I mean - who wants a boring 'normal' life? Eeeeek!

These guys have already been doing a little rooting in some soft ground. They're not really going more than about an inch deep right now.

This is Ray (as in ray of sunshine, lol). Pic was when he was at his former home.

You can see the heritage of the Idaho Pasture Pig just looking at him. The IPP's were created by a blend of Duroc, Berkshire and Kunekune. He represents the KK with his short little snout and the occasional dark spot; the Berk by his white feet; and the Duroc with his base coat color. So far, he has the nod as the potential sire. The other three are littermates.

 

[Mini Horses]

. I like Ray! That's a nice looking little piggy.