[Bodger]

We've had a pig sorting out day today.

As you will probably already know, Pru and her hubby Patrick were moved into a new run with a big pig ark last week, well today, it was time to sort out Pru's piglets. Believe it or not, they'll be eighteen weeks old tomorrow. :shock: Where does the time go? 

We moved all six remaining piglets up to the pig sty and then once they were all there, we moved the two gilts back to the run that we had just moved them from. This means that the four boars will remain in the pig sty until they go to the abbatoir in a couple of months time.
I rang Hughsey up this morning for some advice and as a result, I now know exactly how much I should be feeding them up until the time of slaughter.
Apart from one giving me a quick nip a while back, the piglets have been pretty friendly but from here on in, I'll be looking to win over the hearts and minds of the two gilts that we are retaining. My daughter in law christened the two of them Maude and Mildred but for obvious reasons, which would become apparent if you ever saw them, I've decided on Spot and Patch instead.
I have a grand total of eight pigs on the place right now and having sorted them out, I'm feeling really happy with the pigs and how they are set up.
I like pigs. 

[Tamsaddle]

Do post some pics of Maude & Mildred.   Your photos are so good and I always enjoy them loads.

[Bodger]

Will do,

[Mammyshaz]

A good bit of sorting  of course piccies would show the true extent   

[Bodger]

The boys have been moving the furniture around in their new condo. The girls haven't got any electric, so I haven't been able to get any pictures of them.

[Mammyshaz]

Aww  they look very content 

[Tamsaddle]

Must be great to have an indoor sty for when the weather and mud outside has become unbearable.   The boys look very cosy in there.

[Tudful Tamworths]

Do make sure that the ones you plan on keeping have sufficient teats to cope with a big litter. I don't know what your breeding plans are, but make sure the gilts have at least 12 good (i.e. prominent) teats, preferably evenly-spaced, so that if you have a big litter, the piglets will all be in with a chance of feeding.
Good luck. Liz

[Bodger]

Done that 

[Azzdodd]

Don't suppose you would like too sell one off these handsome chaps too me as a breeding boar? :-)

[Bodger]

Unfortunately all four are pre sold for the freezer.

[Fowlman]

Coming on nicely Bodger, i got some GOS not much older myself.

[Bodger]

I'm trying to be as careful as I can not to let them get too fat. I get lots of waste bread but I'm trying not to be tempted to feed any of it to them. They're even being fed on sow pellets rather than fatteners.

I'm keeping two gilts back but either of them don't make the grade, then one of them might replace one of the boars, so if that happens, there could be one of them available but I wont know until the beginning of March.

[Azzdodd]

No problem don't ask don't get in this world

[Bodger]

One of the four boars would be gutted if he knew of this better offer.