The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: mangalitzamaria on November 20, 2012, 02:17:27 pm

Title: My Poor Mangalitzas
Post by: mangalitzamaria on November 20, 2012, 02:17:27 pm
I need some advice please from anyone! My poor Mangalitzas are flooded today they are swimming in liquid mud their arks are so bogged down I can't lift them even with tractor and fork lifts.
I have nowhere left to move them  does anybody know of any outbuildings that would be available to rent short term near Mells Somerset.
Is there anything I can put down in the paddocks to try and soak up some of the liquid??
Any suggestions very welcome.
Thank you
Title: Re: My Poor Mangalitzas
Post by: lachlanandmarcus on November 20, 2012, 02:34:47 pm
wood pellets (the type used for pellet boilers or horse bedding) might be useful - they expand hugely - you can get them from agricultural stores or if you order a pallet load (cheaper per bag as you might want a fair number) Liverpool Wood Pellets seem to be the keenest priced national firm. The advantage of he wood pellets is the sawdust will just rot down eventually.
Title: Re: My Poor Mangalitzas
Post by: mangalitzamaria on November 20, 2012, 02:37:29 pm
Thank you I'll get onto it straight away.
Title: Re: My Poor Mangalitzas
Post by: lachlanandmarcus on November 20, 2012, 03:52:34 pm
if you find the pigs (like some horses!) initially mistake them for food pellets then spraying them with a weak solution of water and dettol normally does the trick (and helps to kick start the expansion) :-)))). Or maybe temp electric off the area for a few hours until the pellets are all swelled up, they wont be appetising then and no risk of swelling inside piggie.
Title: Re: My Poor Mangalitzas
Post by: mangalitzamaria on November 20, 2012, 04:29:16 pm
Hi thanks for that but its going to work out so, so expensive to lay a 1/4 acre paddock. I'm waiting to hear back from a local farmer to see if I can move them to one of his outbuildings temporarily as I can't bear to see them wading about.
We've tried to get the Arks up onto pallets this afternoon so at least they have somewhere dry to sleep.
 
Title: Re: My Poor Mangalitzas
Post by: woollyval on November 20, 2012, 05:02:53 pm
1/4 acre for 3 adult mangas is not big enough!!! Are they pets or intended breeding pigs?.....or are they destinrd for the freezer? You need to move them somewhere and quickly! Put an ad in local post office/shops etc....but if all else fails you will need to do some thinking :thinking:
Title: Re: My Poor Mangalitzas
Post by: mangalitzamaria on November 20, 2012, 05:15:33 pm
Hi
Thank you for your comments. Each Managalitza has over a 1/4 acre each the paddock that is flooded is occupied by Trueman my boar which I need assistance with as we have had so much rain it's not draining quickly enough. The other paddocks are not as bad but if the rain persists it will get worse and I'm trying to act now!
The pigs are not for slaughter they are my friends and are very well looked after and I'm trying to do my best for them in wretched and prolonged bad weather. So have no fear I will find a solution.
Title: Re: My Poor Mangalitzas
Post by: woollyval on November 20, 2012, 05:22:48 pm
Phew.....mind you 3/4 between 3 big pigs is not a huge amount either! What about investing in a second hand field shelter or stable block and putting it on a bit of concrete?

Title: Re: My Poor Mangalitzas
Post by: The Woodsiders on November 20, 2012, 05:25:11 pm
Good luck and all the best to finding somewhere drier for your pigs :fc:
 
Title: Re: My Poor Mangalitzas
Post by: mangalitzamaria on November 20, 2012, 05:28:10 pm
That is what I've had in mind but the weather has been so bad the erection of the field shelter for the sheep has only just finished. We were hoping to achieve the completion of the hardstanding pig stys before now.
I cant put the pigs in the sheep shelter as I get them into safety at night as 3 weeks ago today 8 of my dorset horn and poll dorsets where killed in a dog attack while I was out and 4 had to be put to sleep by the vet and another 13 were injured. We're still trying to find out whose dog it was along with the police. So I can't rest at night if I know the sheep are out in the fields!!
Title: Re: My Poor Mangalitzas
Post by: Mrs Snoodles on November 20, 2012, 05:56:59 pm
Hope you find a solution, very best of luck  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: My Poor Mangalitzas
Post by: colliewoman on November 20, 2012, 06:07:21 pm
On spareground.co.uk there is a listing in Wells (a bit of a way I know) for a fenced 4 acre field, with 2 stables and a walk through barn for £30 a week.
Might be an idea temporarily?
Title: Re: My Poor Mangalitzas
Post by: woollyval on November 20, 2012, 06:15:05 pm
On spareground.co.uk there is a listing in Wells (a bit of a way I know) for a fenced 4 acre field, with 2 stables and a walk through barn for £30 a week.
Might be an idea temporarily?

That sounds ideal.....
Title: Re: My Poor Mangalitzas
Post by: colliewoman on November 20, 2012, 06:20:18 pm
I know! I'm tempted to find somewhere in Wells to park up just so I can rent it myself!! Hmmm I wonder if they would let me live in the barn? :D :D  (never get away with that in Wells though!)
It's been on there for a while now so I reckon they would be glad to get it used ;)
Title: Re: My Poor Mangalitzas
Post by: mangalitzamaria on November 20, 2012, 10:28:20 pm
Thank you. I have registered on the website and emailed the advertiser regarding the grazing land. I wait in anticipation although it is a little too far away I'm willing to journey to make sure my pigs are in better conditions.  I'm also waiting to hear back from the local farmer as to whether I can move them to his farm temporarily. So watch this space.
Thanks to all
Title: Re: My Poor Mangalitzas
Post by: colliewoman on November 20, 2012, 11:02:29 pm
When I had emailed him previously he still had it, I asked if I could put a caravan on it, and he said that wasn't what they had in mind......
So they still have it :fc: :fc: :fc:
Title: Re: My Poor Mangalitzas
Post by: mangalitzamaria on November 20, 2012, 11:30:50 pm
Here's hoping!!
Where do you live because if you havn't found a home for your caravan I may be able to give you a contact.
Title: Re: My Poor Mangalitzas
Post by: colliewoman on November 21, 2012, 02:22:07 pm
 :wave: I'm in Pilton, not really needing to move as would like to fight the council to the bitter end ;D BUT a better setting for my stock came up I would move to be near it if that makes sense?
That's why I live like I do, if I wanted to move it would take me about an hour to pack :D

Does your contact have land to rent?
Please feel free to PM me :excited:
Thank you :thumbsup:
Title: Re: My Poor Mangalitzas
Post by: mangalitzamaria on November 22, 2012, 11:15:32 am
Hi
 
I'm afraid he doesnt have land to rent but he runs a caravan overwintering business also buys and sells them.
The land for rent in Wells has gone I've just received an email from him. I'm cancelling seeing my little grandson this weekend to shampoo and clean my Mangas and I have 6 strong guys who I've offered to pay to help me move my babies with Arks to dry land. I have been putting trailer after trailer load of miscanthus in the paddocks in various areas to try and give them some respite from the dreadful conditions, I have restrawed the arks having got stuck many times and falling over countless times in their paddocks! Stinking!!!
Title: Re: My Poor Mangalitzas
Post by: Mrs Snoodles on November 23, 2012, 08:00:20 pm
Good news for this weekend although it looks like it is going the horrid again. In the East here we have a few hours Sat morning before the heavens open....were going to move a couple of arks and get some weaners out.  Maybe I should issue them with swimming googles!