A pig can run a seven-minute mile.
Pigs are sprinters and can attain their top speed in just a few strides.
Domestic pigs average a top speed of about 11 miles per hour.
Saturday, January 31, 2015
Friday, January 30, 2015
Piggy Fact - Curiosity Killed the Pig
Piggy Fact:
Pigs are curious and like to keep busy. Some farmers entertain their pigs with beach balls and old tires. Pigs also enjoy listening to music
Pigs are curious and like to keep busy. Some farmers entertain their pigs with beach balls and old tires. Pigs also enjoy listening to music
Thursday, January 29, 2015
Piggy Facts - Babysitting? Not quite!
Piggy Fact:
Sows are great mothers. There are usually eight to twelve baby pigs to a litter. Sometimes a mother sow may accidentally lie down on one of her pigs. To help prevent this the farmer uses a special stall, called a farrowing crate, that provides a place beside the sow for the baby pigs to go when the mother is getting up and lying down.
Sows are great mothers. There are usually eight to twelve baby pigs to a litter. Sometimes a mother sow may accidentally lie down on one of her pigs. To help prevent this the farmer uses a special stall, called a farrowing crate, that provides a place beside the sow for the baby pigs to go when the mother is getting up and lying down.
Wednesday, January 28, 2015
Piggy Facts: Yorkshire's
American Yorkshire Pig
The American Yorkshire, a breed of domestic pig, is the American version of the Yorkshire pig (now usually known as the English Large White pig), light pink in color, with erect ears, and the most recorded swine breed in the United States.
The Yorkshire breed was developed in Yorkshire, England, circa 1761. In 1830, the first Yorkshires were imported to the United States, specifically to Ohio, but because of their slow growth rate, they did not become popular until the late 1940s. At that time, many large Yorkshires were imported from Canada and England for their ruggedness and favored carcasses. The breed then improved rapidly through selection.
Today, Yorkshire pigs are found in nearly every American state, with highest populations in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, and Ohio. The modern Yorkshire is muscular with a high proportion of lean meat. Yorkshire data have been maintained with great diligence , including growth, sow productivity, and backfat formation, representing the largest source of documented livestock performance records in the world.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Piggy Fact - Dirty Little Pig
Piggy Facts:
Pigs are not dirty. They can't sweat, so they roll in the mud to keep cool.
Pigs are not dirty. They can't sweat, so they roll in the mud to keep cool.
Monday, January 26, 2015
Piglets First Outing - Stepping out of the farrowing barn
Our sweet little momma pig had been cooped up for too long, it was a bright sunny and warm day outside, so we let her out to stretch her legs. When Miss Beatrice came out, the little ones weren't too far behind.
They wandered out of the farrowing barn, a little sheepishly at first, but then they really got into it! They were rooting around in the dirt, eating dirt, jumping and playing. They had an amazing outing! And Miss Beatrice sure loved getting out and about too!
While they were out, we took the opportunity to clean out the farrowing stall and freshen it up. This has been, and continues to be, such an amazing experience!
Video -----------------> Hey! It's Grass!
Video -----------------> Where ya going little guy?
Watch these videos to see what our babies thought about the fresh air!
Video -----------------> Hey! It's Grass!
Video -----------------> Where ya going little guy?
Piggy Facts: Hampshire's
Hampshire pig
The Hampshire pig is a domestic swine breed characterized by erect ears and a black body with a whitish band around the middle, covering the front legs.
The American National Swine Registry notes this is the fourth "most recorded breed" of pigs in the United States, and probably the oldest American breed of hogs. It is believed to have derived from the Old English Breed, found in northern England and Scotland. Importations of this hog breed to America were thought to have been made from Hampshire inEngland between 1827 and 1839. Pigs remaining in this part of England developed later into the Wessex Saddleback, a similarly colored pig, but with flop ears and kept largely for foraging in forest. Residents of Hampshire are often colloquially referred to as "Hampshire Hogs", a name which goes back at least to the 1790s.
Hampshire hogs are noted for being well-muscled and rapid growers, and for exhibiting good carcass quality when used as meat animals. When used as breeding stock, the sows of this breed have been praised for their capacity as mothers, having "extra longevity in the sow". Hampshires are good tempered; they do not grow as fast as many cross-breds, but they do grow faster than Yorkshires.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Sunday, January 25, 2015
Piggy Facts - Yum Yum Bacon!
Piggy Fact:
Our Club Needs Your Help
Our 4H Adventure has been so much fun and our kids have been able to learn so much about responsibility, life, love, friendship, and animals, and there is still so much more to learn. With the addition of a breeding project, we are really getting to a point where we need to get our own piece of land, where we can have all of our animals in one place. Currently we have our 4H club animals spread all over the valley, in three different locations. This year we had to tell two kids that they could not have a pig, because we just didn't have the space. I hate having to tell these kids that they can't do a project, simply because I don't have the space to accommodate it. Just thinking about what they are missing out on breaks my heart. We started a GoFundMe Campaign a few months back, and while I haven't been terribly diligent in pushing it, I would really appreciate it if you would take a look and donate if you can. We have a really lofty goal, but I think we can make it, with a little help from our friends. Thanks!
Click Here to Help Our 4H Club
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Click Here to Help Our 4H Club
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Saturday, January 24, 2015
Piggy Fact - Eating Like a Pig
Piggy Fact:
Baby pigs appear very greedy when they are competing for food from their mothers. For this reason the words “pig” and “hog” have come to be associated with greedy behavior.
Baby pigs appear very greedy when they are competing for food from their mothers. For this reason the words “pig” and “hog” have come to be associated with greedy behavior.
Little Clubby - 24 Hours & Going Strong!
She was not really impressed with being at home, she didn't care much for my little ankle bitters and she certainly didn't like being away from her brothers and sisters. She didn't like being alone in her crib and she would cry if we didn't hold her, but we didn't produce enough heat to keep her from shivering. Her temperature was dropping, and I was worried, so I wrapped her up in a little burp cloth and sat with her by the fireplace until she fell asleep. Then I laid her in the crib, on top of a warm rice pack, to sleep.
She would sleep fine, until someone made a noise, then she would wake up and run around the crib crying. But she wasn't eating at all. I couldn't get her to take the bottle. After about 5 hours of no food, we gave up and snuck her back to the barn where she immediately latched on to Miss Bea and started suckling. We reluctantly left her overnight, said a little prayer, and hoped for the best.
This morning, the report was that all twelve little munchkins made it happily through the night and were doing well. The best possible outcome! :) We will head over there shortly, to say good morning to our babies and Miss Bea, and clean out the barn.
Friday, January 23, 2015
The Piglets Are Here!
What a surprise we had this morning! We woke up early to a call from SC saying that the Piglets were here! Miss Beatrice did such a great job, she didn't need any help at all! And she's such a good Mommy! No Hogzilla here either. We could not have been blessed with a better sow.
So here are all the details! Thanks to some awesome genetics, we have some amazing babies. Miss Beatrice gave birth to 13 baby pigs. One was still born, one is a little runty, and one has clubbed back feet. The other 10 are healthy and happy little piglets! We have three black (Hampshire) and nine pink (bluebutts). Two of the black pigs are females and one is male. Three of the pink pigs are female, including clubby and runty, and the other six are males.
TABS getting clubby to suckle
One Tired Momma
So here are all the details! Thanks to some awesome genetics, we have some amazing babies. Miss Beatrice gave birth to 13 baby pigs. One was still born, one is a little runty, and one has clubbed back feet. The other 10 are healthy and happy little piglets! We have three black (Hampshire) and nine pink (bluebutts). Two of the black pigs are females and one is male. Three of the pink pigs are female, including clubby and runty, and the other six are males.
SS, MC, RB, RV, AJ, and TABS, all stayed home from school to tend to the little buggers. TABS was absolutely amazing with clubby. She's tucked her inside her sweater to stay warm and kept trying to get her to suckle. Since clubby wouldn't use her legs, TABS would lay her on her back and make her kick to exercise her legs. By tonight Clubby was walking to eat and suckling like she is supposed to. All of the kids were really great with the pigs, very quiet and respectful all day, and it turned out to be really great to have them there.
Miss Beatrice has been absolutely phenomenal, both with the pigs and with the kids! At one point, TABS was holding clubby, keeping her warm, while Miss Bearice laid her head on TABS foot, and the other pigs crowded around. She has put up with kids in and out of the pen, picking up pigs, moving pigs, hugging pigs, and helping pigs nurse all day long without so much as an angry look! And she has been so careful not to lay on the pigs and has had no problem with them nursing. What a great Momma we ended up with!
We have them all penned in a horse stall with straw bedding and a separation where the pigs can get away from their Momma, so they don't get squished. We call that area the Pig Crib, and we keep it heated to help draw the pigs away from Momma. The feed and water are in the stall with Momma, where she has full access to feed and water at all times. This seems to have worked very well for us. We couldn't afford to buy a farrowing crate, and most of the kids were uncomfortable with crating Miss Beatrice for days at a time, without the ability to move around. She seems to enjoy the freedom of her stall as well, and the kids are happy.
Now for the fun part! Here come the pictures. (Most have a reddish tint, due to the red heat lamps we have in the stall.
Miss Beatrice, MC & SS Last Night
Miss Beatrice has been absolutely phenomenal, both with the pigs and with the kids! At one point, TABS was holding clubby, keeping her warm, while Miss Bearice laid her head on TABS foot, and the other pigs crowded around. She has put up with kids in and out of the pen, picking up pigs, moving pigs, hugging pigs, and helping pigs nurse all day long without so much as an angry look! And she has been so careful not to lay on the pigs and has had no problem with them nursing. What a great Momma we ended up with!
We have them all penned in a horse stall with straw bedding and a separation where the pigs can get away from their Momma, so they don't get squished. We call that area the Pig Crib, and we keep it heated to help draw the pigs away from Momma. The feed and water are in the stall with Momma, where she has full access to feed and water at all times. This seems to have worked very well for us. We couldn't afford to buy a farrowing crate, and most of the kids were uncomfortable with crating Miss Beatrice for days at a time, without the ability to move around. She seems to enjoy the freedom of her stall as well, and the kids are happy.
Now for the fun part! Here come the pictures. (Most have a reddish tint, due to the red heat lamps we have in the stall.
Miss Beatrice, MC & SS Last Night
One Big Piggy
SS saying good night to Miss Beatrice
SUPRISE!
TABS getting clubby to suckle
All twelve little piggies cuddling together
Brunch! Yum!
One Tired Momma
Piggy Fact - Did You Hear That?
Piggy Fact:
A pig's squeal can range from 110-115 decibels. Compare that to the Concorde jet, which is usually just under 112 decibels.
(If you have ever weighed a piglet or picked it up when it didn't want to be, you completely understand this!)
A pig's squeal can range from 110-115 decibels. Compare that to the Concorde jet, which is usually just under 112 decibels.
(If you have ever weighed a piglet or picked it up when it didn't want to be, you completely understand this!)
Thursday, January 22, 2015
Momma Pig Gets Her Name
Today was our weekly 4H meeting, so we were able to come together as a club and make some important decisions. Mainly, what will we name our Momma Pig? Now the kids had some very interesting ideas.
Here were the names that they had to choose from:
- Beatrice
- Cerdo (Means Pig in Spanish)
- Dutchess
- Lily
- Lucy
- Margaret
- Momma Pig
- Sadie
- Spiderham
- Sweetie
- Zhu (Means Pig in Chinese (The Chinese were the first to domesticate pigs 6000 years ago))
- Zoe Zhu
- Zoie
Each member got to vote for three different names. Once the votes were all counted and absentee votes were in we had a tie! Two names had four votes each - Beatrice and Zoe Zhu
In the case of a tie, Leader SS held an emergency vote with the club members present each getting a single vote. With just five kids present, it got pretty tense when one young lady couldn't make up her mind and the other four were deadlocked in another tie. Things got pretty tense until that one young lady finally lifted her thumb up to indicate her vote. And our momma pig's name is….
"Beatrice"
Gaelic Meaning:
Bringer of joy; blesses.
Piggy Fact: Domestication
Piggy Fact:
Swine were among the first of all animals to be domesticated at around 6,000 years ago.
Swine were among the first of all animals to be domesticated at around 6,000 years ago.
The Chinese were the first to raise wild pigs for food.
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
Piglets Coming Soon!
Wow! Things just keep getting better and better! SC picked up some totally rockin' things for Momma Pig from Tractor Supply in Perry yesterday! Momma Pig now has some super yummy new feed and sturdy feed and water pans. She is going to be one spoiled little piggy!
Momma was checked in on this afternoon by TABS and SS and she seemed happy and content, albeit slightly more and more uncomfortable with her growing belly and tightening underline. We filled her water, and food, gave her some more treats and scooped out the poop. We didn't stay long with her today, since RT and MC have a region wrestling match and we have chores out at the farm. AL is going to work on building a piglet crib tonight. It will give the piglets a place to get away from Momma Pig when she wants to lay down and we will put a heating pad in there to help draw them away from Momma, for safety. There will likely be between 10 and 15 babies. Much to do tonight in preparation for these many, many little bundles of joy!
Momma was checked in on this afternoon by TABS and SS and she seemed happy and content, albeit slightly more and more uncomfortable with her growing belly and tightening underline. We filled her water, and food, gave her some more treats and scooped out the poop. We didn't stay long with her today, since RT and MC have a region wrestling match and we have chores out at the farm. AL is going to work on building a piglet crib tonight. It will give the piglets a place to get away from Momma Pig when she wants to lay down and we will put a heating pad in there to help draw them away from Momma, for safety. There will likely be between 10 and 15 babies. Much to do tonight in preparation for these many, many little bundles of joy!
Piggy Fact: Farrowing
Piggy Fact:
Pig birthing experience from birth to weaning is called:
"Farrowing"
Pig birthing experience from birth to weaning is called:
"Farrowing"
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
Pregnant Pig - Day Two
And so it begins… The watching, the waiting, the worrying, and the work! As soon as school excused for the day, the texts and calls started. "Pig?" was the first text, and as simple as it was, I knew how much emotion was behind it. RB had sent it and it meant that he wanted to go see his pig. 4H has become such an important part of his life and all of our lives. These animals are our everything! They teach us so much and for the next 28 weeks we will live, sleep, and breathe these animals, they will consume our waking thoughts and our nightly dreams, we will do nothing before they are cared for, and we will want nothing but the best for them.
As soon as I picked them all up from school, we headed home and the kids quickly cleared my fridge of any leftover veggies and my breadbox of all rolls before heading to the W house, where they did the same. RB and I grabbed a couple 25lb. bags of cracked 9 Grain that we thought Momma Pig would really enjoy, AJ grabbed the wheelbarrow, SS and RV loaded up the treats and Smalls grabbed a shovel. We loaded it all into my car and headed for the barn.
TABS was already at the barn, her bus has a stop at the corner of the street, so she headed right over. She opened the gate for us and we quietly entered the barn. I must admit, I don't think I have ever seen this group of kids being so reverent and quiet, especially Smalls! They were so respectful of Momma Pig, just another testament to how important this is to them. We quickly cleaned out her farrowing stall, tried to get her to eat some treats (I don't think she has ever had treats before!) and filled her food and water buckets. The kids sat down in the straw to do their homework, but Momma Pig was far too curious about them to settle down and relax while they did their homework. She startled them a couple of times, tasted SS's jacket and rooted around in the straw nervously before I sent them all out of the stall.
Momma Pig Snuggles Down
She finally calmed down and snuggled into the straw. Lying down, you could see the piglets move in her tummy and standing up you can see her underline starting to firm up and fill with milk. She doesn't have much longer. We may have babies before we thought! We will continue to check her morning and night, make her as comfortable and relaxed as possible, and prepare as best we can. I think we might be in for the ride of our lives here! Wish us luck!
As soon as I picked them all up from school, we headed home and the kids quickly cleared my fridge of any leftover veggies and my breadbox of all rolls before heading to the W house, where they did the same. RB and I grabbed a couple 25lb. bags of cracked 9 Grain that we thought Momma Pig would really enjoy, AJ grabbed the wheelbarrow, SS and RV loaded up the treats and Smalls grabbed a shovel. We loaded it all into my car and headed for the barn.
TABS was already at the barn, her bus has a stop at the corner of the street, so she headed right over. She opened the gate for us and we quietly entered the barn. I must admit, I don't think I have ever seen this group of kids being so reverent and quiet, especially Smalls! They were so respectful of Momma Pig, just another testament to how important this is to them. We quickly cleaned out her farrowing stall, tried to get her to eat some treats (I don't think she has ever had treats before!) and filled her food and water buckets. The kids sat down in the straw to do their homework, but Momma Pig was far too curious about them to settle down and relax while they did their homework. She startled them a couple of times, tasted SS's jacket and rooted around in the straw nervously before I sent them all out of the stall.
She finally calmed down and snuggled into the straw. Lying down, you could see the piglets move in her tummy and standing up you can see her underline starting to firm up and fill with milk. She doesn't have much longer. We may have babies before we thought! We will continue to check her morning and night, make her as comfortable and relaxed as possible, and prepare as best we can. I think we might be in for the ride of our lives here! Wish us luck!
Monday, January 19, 2015
Welcome Momma Pig
What a weekend we have had! We built a farrowing barn, borrowed a horse trailer, researched pig reproduction, and picked up a Momma Sow, nearly ready to give birth!
Our Momma Sow
It wasn't as easy as it sounds. It all started when Leader SS contacted a farm out of Grantsville, UT on January 14th, where a wonderful farmer agreed to sell us one of his pregnant sows for $700. That got the ball rolling and the clock ticking. This sweet sow is due on January 25th and we have to get a farrowing (birthing) barn built, heat sources set up, and research done so we know what we are getting ourselves into, then we have to get her into her new home in enough time that she can get comfortable before she goes into labor. Over the next few days, we had a lot of work to do!
We started by collecting wood that people were throwing out. Then we used it to create a stall in SC's horse barn. We added a heat lamp and got some straw. We asked (begged) until we found a wonderful lady who was willing to loan us her three horse trailer, and we drove out and got it loaded up and drug home. Then came a little hitch. We had just finish the barn, got the trailer home and put the kids to bed when I got an email from the farmer. He was really worried about moving the sow this close to her due date, and he might have had a little sentimental attachment to her and he was wavering on selling her. Little SS was laying with me when I read the email and was reading over my shoulder. She immediately started shaking her head and little tears started. She had watched so many videos, done so much research, and worked so hard to make sure that she knew everything she needed to know to give this Momma the best chance at having a happy, healthy litter of piglets, and she wasn't at all ready to start looking at going back. She was all in! I sent out a text to the other adults, emailed the farmer letting him know that we were still interested and I would call him in the morning, and tried to sleep knowing that I needed to take care of it in the morning.
Morning came and I was exhausted! We all got up and got ready for the day, knowing that this was the day, today we would either meet our Momma Sow, or we would end the day empty handed. I called the farmer twice on my way to work, both times with no answer. I got to work and settled in, ready to start my day, come what may. Finally the farmer called me! We chatted and from what I understand, I think he was impressed at how much work our kids had done and how prepared we were. We were back on!
Then it was time. We loaded the kids, got in the truck and headed for the farm. It was a looonnnng drive! It took us nearly two and a half hours to get there, but when we did we were in for an amazing treat! The farmer showed us around and gave us a truly grand tour! We saw piglets from a week old to some born in November. He talked to us about how to care for the piglets, what to do for the Momma's, his breeding operation and how he tried to breed for good genetics, not just good show qualities. The pigs and piglets we saw were beautiful and I can see how his breeding techniques will build beautiful show pigs. I can't wait to see our babies!
Some of the piglets
Our Momma Sow loaded right into the trailer with very little prompting and settled in for a long ride home. Once we got there, all the kids came out to help coax her out of the trailer and into her stall. Once out of the trailer, her curiosity got the better of her and she wandered right in. She sniffed around her new place, munched on some food and water and rooted around in her straw before settling down for bed. We scratched her behind her ears, said goodnight and closed her in for the night. I think she is very happy in her new home. Now the countdown begins… 6 days and counting to piglets!
It wasn't as easy as it sounds. It all started when Leader SS contacted a farm out of Grantsville, UT on January 14th, where a wonderful farmer agreed to sell us one of his pregnant sows for $700. That got the ball rolling and the clock ticking. This sweet sow is due on January 25th and we have to get a farrowing (birthing) barn built, heat sources set up, and research done so we know what we are getting ourselves into, then we have to get her into her new home in enough time that she can get comfortable before she goes into labor. Over the next few days, we had a lot of work to do!
We started by collecting wood that people were throwing out. Then we used it to create a stall in SC's horse barn. We added a heat lamp and got some straw. We asked (begged) until we found a wonderful lady who was willing to loan us her three horse trailer, and we drove out and got it loaded up and drug home. Then came a little hitch. We had just finish the barn, got the trailer home and put the kids to bed when I got an email from the farmer. He was really worried about moving the sow this close to her due date, and he might have had a little sentimental attachment to her and he was wavering on selling her. Little SS was laying with me when I read the email and was reading over my shoulder. She immediately started shaking her head and little tears started. She had watched so many videos, done so much research, and worked so hard to make sure that she knew everything she needed to know to give this Momma the best chance at having a happy, healthy litter of piglets, and she wasn't at all ready to start looking at going back. She was all in! I sent out a text to the other adults, emailed the farmer letting him know that we were still interested and I would call him in the morning, and tried to sleep knowing that I needed to take care of it in the morning.
Morning came and I was exhausted! We all got up and got ready for the day, knowing that this was the day, today we would either meet our Momma Sow, or we would end the day empty handed. I called the farmer twice on my way to work, both times with no answer. I got to work and settled in, ready to start my day, come what may. Finally the farmer called me! We chatted and from what I understand, I think he was impressed at how much work our kids had done and how prepared we were. We were back on!
Then it was time. We loaded the kids, got in the truck and headed for the farm. It was a looonnnng drive! It took us nearly two and a half hours to get there, but when we did we were in for an amazing treat! The farmer showed us around and gave us a truly grand tour! We saw piglets from a week old to some born in November. He talked to us about how to care for the piglets, what to do for the Momma's, his breeding operation and how he tried to breed for good genetics, not just good show qualities. The pigs and piglets we saw were beautiful and I can see how his breeding techniques will build beautiful show pigs. I can't wait to see our babies!
Our Momma Sow loaded right into the trailer with very little prompting and settled in for a long ride home. Once we got there, all the kids came out to help coax her out of the trailer and into her stall. Once out of the trailer, her curiosity got the better of her and she wandered right in. She sniffed around her new place, munched on some food and water and rooted around in her straw before settling down for bed. We scratched her behind her ears, said goodnight and closed her in for the night. I think she is very happy in her new home. Now the countdown begins… 6 days and counting to piglets!
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