PBP and ponds

tnd5 · #1 03/19/12, 03:10 PM

I know this is a stupid question, but here goes.....I have a PBP that lives in the house and yard. I have an unused, small pasture running up to the edge of my pond. My question is, if I put him out in that area during the day to browse, will he try to swim across or around the fence to escape? The fence only reaches about 1 foot into the water. Am I really tempting fate by even considering this?

TIA

Donna

jeremynj · #2 03/19/12, 08:01 PM

Just my opinion here but if the pig lives part of the time in the house, it must be a pet, and pets don't often run away from their bed and breakfast.

Rogo · #3 03/19/12, 11:19 PM

I have a bunch of them that live outside roaming the acreage, but haven't tried to escape. No pond here in the desert, just kiddie pools.

I don't second guess critters! -LOL- If we say he won't, you just know he will! Or vice versa. The pig will definitely go in the water to cool off when the weather gets warm.

He sounds tame. Perhaps if you take him out there, stay with him a while and see what he does, you'll have your answer. Or if he can go around the fence while just browsing, he could find himself just following the greenery or maybe just curious and not leaving on purpose.

Good luck with your decision!

P.S. There's no stupid questions!

KIT.S · #4 03/20/12, 12:59 AM

We have 2 irrigation creeks with heavy flow in the winter, but they both run all summer at a reduced rate. My PBP and AGH wallow at the flat edge but don't cross the creek, even to eat on the other side. Now, the neighbor's AGH came over the creek to visit us because I feed my pigs, and they just get pasture to graze in over there. So 1: yes, they will cross the water if they're hungry and 2: they'll stay home if they're fed. However, I don't think they swim well, even though I would expect them to float. They only crossed in the summer when the volume was down.
Kit

tnd5 · #5 03/20/12, 06:57 AM

Thanks all! Yes, he is a pet. He is fully housetrained, and pretty much thinks he is a dog. I will try Rogo's suggestion, and see what happens. If he does accidentally "wander" around the protruding fence, I am pretty sure he will come running when I shake the food bowl! Again, THANK YOU!

Gailann Schrader · #6 03/20/12, 09:15 AM

Yep, some will swim. Some won't. Some will jump, some won't.

If he knows where food is, hopefully he'll stay...

Good luck with your pig-swimming adventure!

Rogo · #7 03/20/12, 06:37 PM

Pigs can't fly, but they can swim!