tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6950565322343555064.post3635235665257551238..comments2024-02-13T09:36:29.494-05:00Comments on Blue Viola Farm: Planning for pigsfreemotionhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10129588842227646172noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6950565322343555064.post-38551613334189566842012-04-06T20:34:01.792-04:002012-04-06T20:34:01.792-04:00We've only used electric here. You have to tra...We've only used electric here. You have to train them to it, but once done it works well. I believe that's all Walter of Sugar Mt uses.<br /><br />To train ours we collected a bunch of the black plastic erosion control fencing:<br /><br />http://www.catalogclearance.com/itm_img/Silt_Fence.jpg<br /><br />and put it just behind the electric fence to serve as a visual barrier. It's cheap or free if you know someone with a construction site.<br /><br />Without moms to teach them about new fences, this is a good way to do it. It's reusable too. It only has to be up for a week or 2. And make sure there are NO gaps, they head right for them.<br /><br />For little weaners, set the lowest wire at 6" and another at 18" - 24". Make sure they are HOT! They learn quick.Pam Rhttp://goldenoakfarm.us/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6950565322343555064.post-54361965133649937332012-04-06T20:20:26.318-04:002012-04-06T20:20:26.318-04:00Peter took that picture, Linda, he does have a kna...Peter took that picture, Linda, he does have a knack with the camera! <br /><br />Pam, I love that Sugar Mountain Farm blog, it is fantastic! My pre-pig research brought me there a few years ago and it is a wonderful site, full of great information.<br /><br />I have some woods that I'd like the pigs to clean up for me, but I'm still a bit nervous about them getting loose and I can't fence it other than with electric wire for a while. It is a goal to make paddocks in the woods, ultimately, and get them rotated. I put them were they are now because that area needed some serious plowing, and now one end, where we dumped the food last year, is looking mighty fine. I plan on dumping the food in a different area this year and making more progress on that end of our pasture as they plow their leftovers in, and search for the worms that are attracted to all the moisture and decomposing food that is typical in this type of set-up.<br /><br />The pigs have also become a feature in the fall "train rides" and "hay rides" for the kids that visit the farm next door, when they are open from September through December.freemotionhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10129588842227646172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6950565322343555064.post-47457733237930287692012-04-06T17:53:30.524-04:002012-04-06T17:53:30.524-04:00LOVE that last picture! Sorry you have been sick, ...LOVE that last picture! Sorry you have been sick, I know how it is...Lindahttp://lindercroft.netnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6950565322343555064.post-9986519667754216362012-04-06T17:50:10.067-04:002012-04-06T17:50:10.067-04:00This is exactly why we raise all our own also. Our...This is exactly why we raise all our own also. Ours get names, real names, because even if you give them a number, it's still a name. It's the mindset that has to be adjusted for.<br /><br />As for pigs who eat grass our breeder knew:<br /><br />http://sugarmtnfarm.com/home/farm/<br /><br />We aim to give them the very best life, and one bad day. We also try to keep them here on the farm once they arrive. We do all our own butchering: beef, pig, chicken.<br /><br />We decided to not breed our own pigs because a sow can get to 700 lbs and has to be fed hay, which we must buy. And if you fall down in the pen, YOU might be dinner. At least a cow won't eat you.<br /><br />Our pigs are working pigs, just like Joel's: they make compost for our pastures. They also have a pasture and if they are moved daily, will not tear it up, but just graze it. They can express their pigness in the compost area. :))<br /><br />And I LOVE your last picture!! That's cool!Pam Rhttp://goldenoakfarm.us/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6950565322343555064.post-21178963333633763872012-04-06T17:17:55.721-04:002012-04-06T17:17:55.721-04:00Aw, shucks, Darius, thank you!Aw, shucks, Darius, thank you!freemotionhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10129588842227646172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6950565322343555064.post-54719470826816523022012-04-06T16:57:10.850-04:002012-04-06T16:57:10.850-04:00I love, and heartily, approve of your attitude!I love, and heartily, approve of your attitude!dariushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12905692094664443489noreply@blogger.com