The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: DartmoorLiz on March 27, 2017, 09:08:07 pm

Title: Just how clever?
Post by: DartmoorLiz on March 27, 2017, 09:08:07 pm
I've noticed my 3 pigs seem to be working together to build a ramp of bedding against their door  :o  ... can they possibly have worked out that this is a possible route to freedom?
Title: Re: Just how clever?
Post by: pharnorth on March 28, 2017, 07:50:59 am
We demand a live webcam on it so the nation can judge.
Title: Re: Just how clever?
Post by: Hairybathplug on March 28, 2017, 04:17:56 pm
Yes they are that clever, equivalant to a two year old child. 
Title: Re: Just how clever?
Post by: Rupert the bear on March 28, 2017, 07:32:02 pm
When at the piggery , all sows were on a tag feeder system, enter feeder, computer reads the sows tag and dispenses food. Some of the older sows would remove the gilts tags in order to gain extra rations, then secrete the tag in her mouth until next feed time. They have lots of time to figure out things and do work as a team.
The teaser boar we had that could understand buildings and pen numbers is for another day.
Title: Re: Just how clever?
Post by: Marches Farmer on March 29, 2017, 01:43:51 pm
Our new boar worked out that if he put his front feet on the low breeze block wall at the base of the sty sides he could gnaw through the exterior ply wall section above - at least until we realised what he was doing and lined it with galv.
Title: Re: Just how clever?
Post by: DartmoorLiz on April 01, 2017, 05:50:49 pm
No pig cam ... yet.  It worked for them but not as they expected.  They were clearly ready to go outside so we have now set up the electric fence and pig arc and given them a small field.  They were getting a bit narky with us but now they are in a much better mood, more friendly, happy to come over and just hang out with us, less anxious looking.  Their stable wasn't small it was just, well a stable.  Its small wonder that intensively reared pigs get bitey.