[white-blazes]

Being a new owner, first two pigs arriving today.  We've got a nice cosy wooden shed bedded down with straw, and a half height door which the plan was to leave the bottom half open so they can come and go as they please.

Would you lock them in for the first few hours/days or simply just let them have their area of field and find their own way to the bedroom?

Also with water, we have a belfast sink in another field, thought this might be more hardwearing than a plastic bucket that might get mawled up?  Or are plastic buckets ok?

[loosey]

I'd unload them into the shed and let them explore from there I think ... sometimes it takes them a while to find out where bed is otherwise ... I remember a couple of ours spending the night outside!

If they're small they might not reach a belfast sink unless it's dug in a bit? It will certainly be sturdier but I'd imagine they'll still tip it over for you  Good luck and enjoy!

[Hilarysmum]

Like Loosey I would leave them in for 24 hours.  A bucket in a tyre for water just whilst they are shut in.  They will stand on the tyre to drink.

Congratulations on your pigs. 

[Fowgill Farm]

Hi White-Blazes congrats on your new pigs
Try reading this link.
http://www.oldspots.org.uk/getting_started3.asp
HTH
Mandy

[Eve]

Ours are always out in the pen from day 1 and find their bed without any problem, but no doubt there will be one soon who'll just sleep under the trampoline (it cannot be used as a trampoline, it's just the frame with greenhouse netting for shading - the frame is so heavy I'm hoping that even the pigs can't move it. Not enough shade in their pen, otherwise).

[white-blazes]

Thanks again.  The farmer said to leave them explore, so we did, and they've found the shed ok

Thanks for the link, I'll read later when I'm home (back in work now )

[Cobra]

Enjoy them first and foremost  They will find their way round just fine, remember pigs are naturally nocturnal so don't worry if they are out and about at night.

[Beewyched]

Congrats on your piggies 

I wouldn't worry about shutting them in - on a sunny warm morning you'll wished you hadn't when you lose your lie-in 

We use 1/2-size buckets inside tyres for water, they will flip them out occassionally when the level is getting low & play with them, so they will need checking twice daily especially in the hot weather.  Our also have a couple of belfast sinks in the paddock & the younger ones often use them to bathe in 

[white-blazes]

remember pigs are naturally nocturnal so don't worry if they are out and about at night.

I never knew that

[Eve]

remember pigs are naturally nocturnal so don't worry if they are out and about at night.


I never knew that

Nor did I, ours are in bed by 10pm and often still asleep by the time I arrive for breakfast. Never knew they might be wandering around in the dark 

[Beewyched]

It's all the carrots 

[Eve]

 

[oaklandspigs]

Enjoy them first and foremost  They will find their way round just fine, remember pigs are naturally nocturnal so don't worry if they are out and about at night.

They're technically "Crepuscular" meaning most active at dusk and dawn.

[Eve]

Ah, I've always known mine were lazy buggers! 

[Beewyched]

Get it right Eve - lazy, FAT, b***ers