New Pigs on the Farm

Cindy (named by M) had 14 piglets 4 weeks ago, 9/14. We found two dead in the hay and she also unfortunately rolled over on one. Survival of the fittest played out in front of our eyes. Good news is that 11 are alive and well, as you'll see in the two videos on my Video Bar. The first video is right after she had them, and the second video is when they're about 3 weeks old. We pulled her away from the piglets on Sunday, but she "climbed" back in the pen to get to them yesterday. She's quite the attached Mama. So we pulled her out again this morning (she does not like this, at all) and she almost ran me down in the process of trying to get to her piglets. Well, she did run me down really. I have the bruise on my leg to prove it! Picked me up and threw me sideways, very exciting stuff to be thrown about by a 500 pound stark-raving mad Mama. But it's got to be done, they have to be weaned. This is a business and not just for fun so this is what we have to do.

Zena had 11 piglets on Sunday, 10/5. Eleven born, eleven survived. They were all small birth weights, but they seem to be doing fine now. Zena is a much calmer mother, thankfully. This is her 2nd time around so maybe she's just seasoned, is all. Come to think about it though, she's just a calmer pig altogether. (Cindy is a bit dramatic.) I don't have a video of her and her babies, but they're not much different looking than Cindy and her piglets so I don't think I'll put a video up. You'll get the idea from the two I already posted.

Come Spring they should all be market weight. We'll sell them as weaner pigs, though, for people to raise on their own. Either through the paper, Craig's list or at auction. Gotta keep them hogs moving on through. Feed is too expensive!!

Cindy needs to go in with the boar, Fabio, in 6 days when she goes into heat. We have to get her bred for the Ada County Fair that goes on next August. The reality is we've got to keep these piggies busy making babies! It's okay, it's what they're bred for. And we take good care of them, don't you worry.