[Berkshire Boy]

I would guess that I usually put in a barrow load per adult pig and they seem ok with that. They tend to go away for a sleep and finish them off later.

[Eastling]

I think it does depend on the breed, but I agree with Mandy. we have GOS and they do eat the grass and rub on trees. We have had a little scrapping of the top layer of grass but no actual digging.
 You would be welcome to come and have a look at our set up. If it would help.

[HesterF]

Oooh, Eastling, I might just do that - maybe I'll wait until your duckies have hatched too! Husband is keen to start this year but given the amount we (mostly I) have on at the moment, I'm trying to stall him. Just don't have time to get the fencing sorted, let alone anything else.

H

[Eastling]

I know that feeling ! I think i've done well today, got OH  to jet wash stables out and i've cut the grass!   You would be more than welcome to come and have a cuppa and a chat. and hopefully see the duckies     Send me a pm when you are ready and i'll send address.

[90driver]

Hester.... Mmmm time !! I so know that feeling. I have lived here for 13 years, so many jobs have got knocked back a season year after year !! And as of 3 weeks ago pigs were going to next years again. But encouraged and inspired by TAS, I now have a stunning pig enclosure with running water .... Did not take much effort, very enjoyable to actually get it done !

[graham-j]

Hi Eastling,I am just teetering on the edge of getting some pigs myself I am brassed just outside of Canterbury.I would be very interested in seeing your see up would it be possible to arrange a meeting at some point.

Thanks Graham.

[HesterF]

Maybe Graham and I should hook up and visit you at the same time (and then we could go and see his geese which I'd also love to visit)?

I impulse decided to create a pumpkin patch/asparagus bed last week so hired a deturfer for the weekend. Assumed our tiller would cope with the breaking up - hmmm, no - and after digging about 30m2 of the 150m2 patch, have decided that time is most definitely not on my side. More cash will be thrown at it in the form of a rotavator tomorrow (hopefully). Another job that is taking longer than anticipated. Still got to arrange for the manure load and get the rabbit fencing up before they stop selling asparagus for the season. Arrrgggghhhh. Very impressed by anybody who can manage to create a pig pen (with running water) in just three days - it takes me longer than that just to clean my childrens' bedroom (mind you it's never all in one hit and tends to get messed up more quickly than I can tidy).

H

[Eastling]

Hi


Just let me know when you want to come. We are about most days. Would be interested in picking your brain about geese to Graham.


 Hester a rotavator is  the way to go, we hired a petrol one much easier.  Can't comment on childrens rooms but my husband does a good impression of a teenager with clothes on the floor!

[90driver]

3 days Did I say that..... Mmm although in truth if you had everything you needed ready then our patch could of easily been done in 3 days. 1 adult and one able bodied teenager. But as a single parent, something has to give.... My kids have to do their own rooms, which of course means they are an embarrassing mess.... But the eldest (15) is getting the hang of it !

[graham-j]

Hi Eastling and Hester F,I would be very interested to come and visit you.Pigs are very new to me it would be very interesting to see how its done properly.Gloster old spots are a breed that also interest me.
How are you doing with your rotovating Hester,I have a 7' howard rotovator that goes behind my John Derre if you realy stuck.

Graham.

[Eastling]

Hi Graham J


Don't know that I do it properly but everyone says the girls a just a little spoilt!! They are great characters and quite fun to watch, when they are a wake! I have only had them just over two years. Had trouble finding a boar locally but have seen a gosxosb who is lovely but don't have a tow bar or trailer.( on the to do list!) No luck with AI either. As I said you are welcome to come and have a look.


Hope Hester hasn't rotavated herself into the ground!


Jackie

[graham-j]

Hi,yes I would love to come and take a look,I will try and arrange something with you next week.I think I will be tied up fencing and moving my sheep this week.

Thanks Graham.

[HesterF]

Rotavating done - Jewsons rock, both their turf cutter and rotavator did just what is said on the tin, unlike HSS's versions of the same last year. Manure man let me down - coming later in week, I hope - but nearly there. Which is good because I've ordered my asparagus crowns to arrive Friday. Just got to get the fencing sorted which should be a quick job. With the long weekend ahead, I might be feeling more on top of things by next week.

90driver - did misread your 3 weeks for 3 days but you should have left me super impressed!

H

[MAK]

Pumpkin patch for pigs - all that turf cutting then rotavating. Will you have to weed the plot when the pumpkins are growing.
I plant mine in a patch that was once cobbled but for many years used as the dung heap. The soil is just 4-6 inches deep so I build a mound with manure and soil, cut the grass immediateley around each mound and plant a pumpkin in each. If the grass grows after in the autumn then it is a nice surprise to find a pumpkin hidden away. Oh - I mark each plant with a stick so I can water it but they do throw down roots as they go and these seem to get through any grass.
It is not that I am lazey not turning over all the ground and digging up the old stone ( on sand) layer - but I discovered this works a couple of years ago and stay with it. The grass look OK at other times of the year too - rather than bare earth.

[graham-j]

Hi,how big do you build the mound up,do you leave a hollow in the top for watering.What sort of proportion of manure do you add to the soil.Very interesting.

Graham.