[Eastling]

I've been making ice cubes in old plastic trays for the girls which seem to go down quite well in this weather   thinking of adding a little sugar free squash to add a bit of flavour

[SallyintNorth]

I've been making ice cubes in old plastic trays for the girls which seem to go down quite well in this weather   thinking of adding a little sugar free squash to add a bit of flavour

Spoiled or what!    On the

sugar free squash

just make sure it's no sugar not artificial sweetener.  The latter plays havoc with our systems, no guessing what it'd do to pigs. 

[Eastling]

Don't know what you mean "spoiled"   will take a lot at the squash label.

[Polished Arrow]

Our piggies now have a shower rigged up to supplement their wallows 




http://player.vimeo.com/video/42864418




They are both off their food somewhat, but will eat hand-peeled bananas

[robert waddell]

when is she due

[Polished Arrow]

Margot is due on 20th June 


Her cousin, Lady Penelope (as seen in No. 2 Wallow) is due 9 days later.


They are our first, so we are both excited and nervous simultaneously.

[Polished Arrow]

PS:   To ward off accusations of using a hosepipe illegally, we don't have a ban here, and the water is piped from the stream 

[robert waddell]

ah but do you have a water extraction licence
are you farrowing them outside or inside

[Eastling]

Looks like piggie heaven

[Polished Arrow]

ah but do you have a water extraction licence
are you farrowing them outside or inside

The water supply (a well and a stream) was set up before we got here and before water extraction licenses came about, I believe, so we are ignoring the issue! Tell me horror stories if you will - maybe I should not be putting my head in the sand about it.  But we did tell our water supplier that the meter to the house wasn't working as soon as we found out (a few weeks after arriving here).  They fitted a new one but we have yet to receive a bill... almost 5 months later. Horse, water, drink, leading ... a few of the words that spring (no pun intended) to mind 


no doubt there will be a bill in tomorrow's post and the engineer's report to say that we have illegal pipes all over the place!


Re farrowing:  We were going to be using the farrowing arks out in the fields, but after the crows and ravens ate the heads and hearts of our chickens, we are reconsidering.  They are 100% outdoor pigs, though - not at all used to being inside.  Our barn is hot, and there is no outside view for the pigs at all.  heyw ould have to be in the pen with their piglets until we decided it was time to move them all out.


I have asked the Vet to visit us tomorrow (he has a smallholding with pigs too) for his advice.  I'd be interested to hear others' views, though.  *Note - apologies for thread derail* !!

[jellybean]

I've been making ice cubes in old plastic trays for the girls which seem to go down quite well in this weather   thinking of adding a little sugar free squash to add a bit of flavour

Dog a hole, add some clay or bentonite to it and make sure it is sealed  all the way around the bottom. add water...........wallow........add piggies and leave them to enjoy the coolness of the water on their skin... when they come out the breeze provided by the wind helps them keep cool for a few hours until their skin dries off and then they once again visit the wallow.

[jellybean]

Margot is due on 20th June 


Her cousin, Lady Penelope (as seen in No. 2 Wallow) is due 9 days later.


They are our first, so we are both excited and nervous simultaneously.

Your girls both know what to do...just relax and watch nature work its course...... it is a wonderful experience new born babies coming in to this world.

[Beewyched]

I've been making ice cubes in old plastic trays for the girls which seem to go down quite well in this weather   thinking of adding a little sugar free squash to add a bit of flavour

I'm guessing that your freezer is not in your kitchen, nor the tap you are filling the trays with & your squash hasn't been in there either? 
 

[Eastling]

Beewyched of course all outside!!

[ambriel]

I was hosing our Kunes down the other week, too. Very warm and they seemed to enjoy the cold (mains-fed) hosing-down greatly.


No hosepipe ban up here, either.