The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: ambriel on January 21, 2011, 02:10:12 pm
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We recently added three Kune Kune pigs to our little patch of paradise and as a result have run into an unforseen problem with our small flock of hens.
Basically, the hens love the pigs and follow them everywhere. Clearly they've worked out they can steal a feed from the pigs' trough at feeding time as well as there being juicy worms turned up where the pigs have rooted-up some of the rushes.
None of this is the problem, per se, it's that because they're out and about with the pigs all day they're not laying in their nest box anymore.
I've found little cache of broken eggshell in amongst the rushes so presumably the hens have taken to laying wherever they happen to be, and the pigs are seeing this as a special treat and eating them.
I don't really want to have to fence the pigs in to keep the hens from them, and doubt that would work anyway.
Has anyone any suggestions on what I can do?
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What time do you let the hens out? We keep them in until 9-9.30 which we find ensures the biggest volume of eggs are laid before they leave the house .Also we ensure that their feed is in the house which encourages any late layers to come back,and hopefully lay in the house not always in the nest box though.
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Hmmm... that's an idea. I usually let them all out at around 8am, hens and pigs.
I'll try holding back the hens until 9:30am and see how it goes.
My wife tells me we're expecting a cockerel tomorrow, so it'll be interesting to see how that goes...
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are you sure its not that the pigs are getting to the eggs?
what are your kunes like? (Love mine so much!!)
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They normally lay in the nest box of their coop and I don't think even the smallest of the Kunes can get in there.
I found broken eggshells in amongst the reeds and rushes, where the pigs had been rooting.
We've three Kunes, all castrated boys: Hagrid, Hamish and Hector - and they're lovely.
There are a few photos of them here, on Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/garysutherland/sets/72157625658419245/)
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Love your 'high speed pig' photo ;D
My big entire KK boar does that same gallop with all 4 trotters off the ground and comes bounding down the field towards us at super fast speed - such a funny sight to see ;)
Here's my Syd in slow mode, exploring the kids play house
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the boys are lovely....
Hargrid is similar to my boy Murphy, but I've never seen him move very fast!!
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Just remember pigs are OMNIVORES!
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yes they love eggs and chicken feathers
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the boys are lovely....
Hargrid is similar to my boy Murphy, but I've never seen him move very fast!!
Thanks. I was really surprised at just how fast they are when they're going full-gallop.
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Keeping the girls in till 9:30am worked a treat! Three eggs waiting for me this morning.
I'll do the same in the morning and see if we can get them into a new routine.
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Are your pigs pets only? This is not related to your dilemma, just wondered.
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Glad to hear you got a few eggs for breakfast[albeit a late one].
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Yes, these pigs are pets - they're Kune Kunes.
If all goes well we'd like to buy in a different breed to raise for meat.