The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: ambriel on December 04, 2011, 08:12:07 pm
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Well winter has finally arrived in our north west corner of Scotland and I'm wondering how our three Kunes are going to find the significantly colder weather this evening.
I cleaned out their house today and loaded it up with lots of fresh hay, and fixed a sack across the doorway to help keep the draught out.
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They'll love it Gary ;) (once they get used to cold bellies :D)
Our big Kune boar was always very reluctant to come in - no matter how deep the snow got ::)
Only thing I would say is, don't take out all their bedding and put in new stuff. If the old stuff is just a bit muddy, pull the worst of it off and put it outside the door (so they can wipe their feet) and add new stuff on top. This way it gets nice & compacted and forms a good base layer - plus, they'll get thicker coats as it gets colder and when snuggled up together they'll be toasty :thumbsup: Stick your head into the arc in the morning and you'll see what I mean ;)
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All our pigs lived outdoors through the bad weather last year and it really didnt seem to bother them so I wouldnt worry. One of our sows had her first litter when there was thick snow but all the babies thrived...lots of straw and they were fine. Good luck.
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Yes I left some of the better hay still inside. I went out earlier to check them and they were snoring peacefully.
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heres some of our oxfords last winter, they love some snow, they do like the barn rather than the arks though.
(http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.76248572703.101508.674767703&type=3#!/photo.php?fbid=10150111569027704&set=a.76248572703.101508.674767703&type=3&theater)
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try again with the pic! (http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/67102_10150111568942704_674767703_7589110_1302505_n.jpg)
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They don't look bothered, do they? But then I find they generally look like they're grinning all the time.
We do have a barn but it will need some serious re-arranging before the boys can use it.
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Lovely pic Windymiller (and pigs !) :thumbsup:
That one in front does look like she's saying "Do I look bovered" (in a Little Britain stylee) ;D
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heres mine in the snow
can't seem to make my pictures smaller
:(
here's a link to my photos
Mx :thumbsup:
http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.109222595861262.12014.100003205651558&type=1 (http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.109222595861262.12014.100003205651558&type=1)
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lovely pics :thumbsup:
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Only a sprinkling like icing sugar here this morning but my babies are still insisting on sleeping out in the sun shelter, I top it up every night with dry straw and have enclosed part with some solid topped pallets and they seem fine, to check they're warm i always put a hand just in their front leg armpit if you see what i mean if they're warm there they're fine. theyhave big furry coats (the butcher will love that ::)) but at least i know they're ok. Getting beet now shredded to help maintain fat & energy warming levels.
Best mandy :pig:
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just frosty here but their water troughs are solid ice, 11 piglets keeping warm with mum, dreading when i wen them though and no big momma to keep them cosy!
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pour some glycerine in the water to stop it from freezing :) about a tablespoon to a trough but tbh it's not exact as it doesn't taste of anything and it doesn't put animals off drinking it. Used it last year for horses and chickens
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Here's some of mine this morning ;D
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We do have a barn but it will need some serious re-arranging before the boys can use it.
I am sure your pigs would hapily do the "re-arranging" for you...
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I'm sure they'd love to :)
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u guys do have alot of snow, we just have about an inch. but snowing again.
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We've got about 4-5 inches here in Lesmahagow, but none has fallen today so far and it seems mild - fingers crossed it dissapears soon cos I've weaners to deliver & the 'trailer + car + snow' situation isn't great ::) The main roads are all fine, it's just the last 3 miles to our house which is the problem :-\