[Helencus]

Hi this might sound like stupid questions but I'm due to get 2 weaners Saturday.. (If the breeder ever returns my calls)  I'm not sure about cleaning up in the pen which is an outside field area with an ark. Nothing  I read says anything about clearing droppings but do you dig out where they toilet? Daily? weekly? Also at night should I close weaners in the ark. I understand they shouldn't foul the ark but is weekly clearing out ok? Sorry to sound clueless just want to do the right thing for their comfort and health. Thanks

[langdon]

dont be daft, you wana see all the questions ive asked since taken this lifestyle up!!!!
i collect all their droppings, prob every other day, i do try to do it every day but i keep
getting caught up with other little jobs around ere.
i do it to keep the place looking tidy(your set up seems to be the same as ours)
and to put it on the manure heap.
i dont need to dig it up, just collect it up with an old garden trowel and pot that i have put to one side
for this purpose.
hope things work out wellfor you and pigs!!!,let me know

[marigold]

We collect poo weekly. If they poo around their feed area we clean that before feeding. Ours don't mess up their arc and they are not closed in at night. They have quite a bit of straw. I am more generous with the straw than my OH. But its really nice to see them making a bed and getting underneath it.
We also just gather the poo with a spade and put it on the compost heap. I am tempted to leave it towards the end of this paddocks life as we are going to plant tatties on this area and move the pigs to a new bit. It would be good if their manure enriches the ground a bit.
 

[Helencus]

Thanks... So much to learn  i have horses so very concious of keeping sleeping and grazing/ living areas clean. Seems a bit easier than horses but I expect I'll think differently in a few weeks .. Can't wait.. Breeder finally called.. Pick up 10 am sat.  Pray for me that the neighbours and council for once give me a break!

[Hilarysmum]

Good luck, sure it will all be fine.  If neighbour comes around breathing fire and brimstone, keep it all calm, refuse to be browbeaten.  You have rights too. 

I would not shut the weaners in at night as long as your fences are good they will be fine.  Shutting them in will encourage them to mess up their beds, cost a fortune in straw and make a lot of extra work for you. 

The addition of pig poo to the compost heap will increase the nitrogen which I assume is a good thing.  Our runner beans have never looked back since we had pigs.

[SuzyJ]

The addition of pig poo to the compost heap will increase the nitrogen which I assume is a good thing.  Our runner beans have never looked back since we had pigs.

Our muck heap has never looked better since keeping pigs - The tomatoes growing on it last year were a bonus too lol

[Helencus]

Thanks well I hope the council stop hassling me to remove the veg garden and I get the chance to find out myself!

[agrifabs]

you mean the council are hassling you to remove your veg patch?  that would be my luck too, you'd think the council would be encouraging people to have a veg patch,

[Hilarysmum]

Considering that the Govt. are encouraging people to grow their own food perhaps a visit to the local citizens advice might prove helpful? 

[Helencus]

Yes. I am also thinking of joining the CLA. I understand they give advice on such matters. Does anyone have any views on their helpfulness?

Well, the girls arrived Saturday, took 50 mins of a very stressful journey to get them home. The breeder said they'll quiet down once you get moving...err someone forgot to tell them that! Arrived in one piece safe and sound though and soon settled. Horses went mad.. stupid me should have left them in the stables to get used to looking at them over the field but no in the excitement just carried Kim and Aggie into their enclosure so Pagan and Sam (horses) deceided they'd better high tail it through the electric fencing to get a really good look.. of course fencing was off so straight through they went.. Thankfully stock fencing between them and pigs so no harm done just took me 10 mins to catch them and put them back in the paddock..all good fun!

Peace and quiet seems to have now returned after a few days of everyone getting used to each other. Mind my husbands face was a treat when he realised how much a pig really does root up the ground. Good job he loves me

[Hilarysmum]

Mind my husbands face was a treat when he realised how much a pig really does root up the ground. Good job he loves me

 We used to be like that when we first got the pigs, now I think if it ever comes to the pigs or me, I will be the one packing my case   

[Helencus]

Hi another question from me.. do they generally mess in one area or all over the place.. mine don't mess in the Arc but are messing all over the pen.. not a problem I was just told they tended to go in one spot so was curious.

Also they are very wary of me. I have sneaked a few cheeky rubs and scratches whilst they were eating and they are now very curious about me but if they realise I am touching them they run off. Oh and whilst I am doing things in the pen area they keep trying to chew my boots and nibble my trousers which is funny but don't want them to learn to bite. So can onyone tell me is the nibbling ok? I haven't tried to stop them other than a gentle push away as don't want them to be wary of me. How long do they generally take to get used to you any general rule of thumb?

So much to learn... thanks!

[Hilarysmum]

The more you touch them when they are feeding, the quicker they will become responsive to you.  Eating boots is a piglet thing.  None of my big pigs eat boots when they are bigger.  As they get older they will adore tummy rubs most will roll over to be rubbed.  Very handy when needing to check out the important little places for lice, or counting teats, or checking feet.  Be warned they become very addictive.  You might find the housework sort of disappears as the pigs take over your time.

[Malc]

We find our younger pigs tend to go where they please in their paddocks, while the sows will favour one particular area. Mind you, it can be hard to tell when it's as muddy as it is now. Give them as much physical contact as you can - it's good for the pigs and for you.

[Hilarysmum]

I often think cuddling the pigs is a sort of therapy.