OT: Oink! I'll be over on the pig forum.

[ani's ark]

Trinny and Susannah the 4 month old Kunekune piglets will be riding home in our stationwagon this afternoon, so I will be needing lots of pig info for the next few days.

This is the start of our market garden business - they are employees to root up the grass and turn the pasture into garden beds. I will have to post pics of their arrival, their first escape, the chase, the feeding etc

Wish us luck!!

[Sparkie]

Good luck!

I thought Kunekune's prefer to graze over rooting? We had looked at them at one time because of that and for their small size.

["SPIKE"]

Come On Over! I visit there some myself. I have American Guinea Hogs.

SPIKE

[ani's ark]

Originally Posted by Sparkie

Good luck!

I thought Kunekune's prefer to graze over rooting? We had looked at them at one time because of that and for their small size.

I've heard that is said of them, but all the kunekunes I have met root up their ground, I remember a highschool friend of mine's wealthy and very elegant mother having a meltdown because he'd put a kunekune pig in the back yard and it destroyed their lawn! It's what pretty much all pigs do I guess. And these will not be purebred with all the rooting genetics bred out, it just becomes a name for any small hairy pig in NZ!

If they dont root, I'll be gutted actually, as that is the reason we want them.

[Bambitski]

I used to be able to call my pigs with a whistle specially for them. Then shake the bucket when we got close to the pen, pour feed in their feeder and they would run in. I DON"T chase pigs, I eat them.
I used to have a special nursery rhyme sounding song for the bull to come when he escaped too. And it worked. LOL They all know who momma is, at least till you are ready for butcher. LOL

[ani's ark]

Here they are. Will post same at pig forum.
And luckily they are rooters, the lady showed us their pens - bare turned earth, whew!

[bknthesdle]

How cute!

[hiddensprings]

They are cute. Best of luck with them. I am sure they will work hard for you. It's hard to find good help these days. lol
I raised three pigs a year ago and learned they are NOT for me. Never hated something so much in my whole life.

[nod4eight]

Pigs are fun, not as fun as goats, but fun. They do all have distinct personalities and are very smart. Good luck on the goat forum, I've had limit success there. I actually got more pig questions answered here at goats than over there.

[ani's ark]

Thanks. I'll still probably share some pig stuff on the goat forum, everyone here is just so wonderful - and it's all homesteading isnt it?

Granted they are not as much fun as goats, mostly just lie about or root the soil. Except at feeding time - they get so excited and squabble for the tastiest morsel. Today I learnt not to wear jandals, or that morsel could be my toes! At least I'll always feel like a top chef - even if DH was disgusted by last night's fried sheep heart and caramelised onion bruchettas, the pigs thought it was magnificent. My kind of food critics.

If anyone needs me I'll be out leaning on my fence scratching the pigs backs with a stick and watching the goats graze. This is the life.