Seeking behavior
I read a Temple Grandin book recently that described in depth what domesticated animals enjoy doing, naturally, by describing what their wild counterparts do. Pigs have a seeking behavior that is very strong, that is why they dig up and root up anything they can. Grandin believes that straw is vital to the behavioral […]
Lambs, lambs and more lambs
You know it’s spring here in Iowa when the lambs start coming. Each morning from April 1 on out we find new baby lambs born. The mamas do a great job at birthing and cleaning them off. The less we mess with them the better they become at doing it all on their own. This […]
Windrow compost
So I’m trying my hand at windrow composting since I can’t haul my manure out to the field. The temperatures have been in the 60s and everything is wet and saturated. Johnny attended a few compost workshops and I did a little internet research. Hopefully it doesn’t get too wet and stinky, and the […]
AI ing
I just artificially inseminated my very first gilt tonight! I am so pumped! She stood for me until the catheter was in then she wanted to lay down. As I inserted it in more, I could feel her body just totally relax and let down. I could visually see the semen being sucked in with […]
This little piggy goes to market
How did all this time escape me?!?! Out little pigs we got in November are now ready for market. They are all between 250-300 lbs. I have direct marketed them all in half or whole shares and they went quickly! So excited and happy about that. These pigs have been in deep, dry bedding all […]
Apples!
We are finishing our pigs with apples and pumpkins. They love ’em! Even frozen! There is something to say about the sound of pigs eating. It’s a smacking sound, but I love it. It means happy pigs! They also love the bales of oat straw I give them to fluff up their nests. They go […]
Blue Blue
We had to put our Blue down today. His fracture at his elbow was too severe and his quality of life would suffer if we tried to cast it. My advice, never put a wether in with a ram during breeding season. I’ve learned that lesson first hand in the most difficult way. Pure guilt. […]