Post by mrskk on Sept 24, 2008 6:41:24 GMT -5
Last night when we went to do chores, I could see that there was a patch of dug-up ground outside the gate going into the chicken run where we've temporarily been keeping the new piglets. And that the gate was pushed out at the bottom. I started panicking and Rachel went into the building to see - no piglets.
My first thought was that they were in the woods, but Buttercup was VERY full and needed attention, so the pigs were going to have to wait. I wasn't looking forward to chasing piglets through the woods at dusk (early because we had rain coming).
While milking, I started to wonder if the pigs went the other way - down into our yard, rather than up into the woods. I had relieved enough pressure off of BC's udder that she was more comfortable, so I decided to take a break and walk down to see if I could find any more pig excavations.
When I came around the side of the chicken coop, I could see all three of them peering at me from under the lilac bush. I softly called to them and they all took a step or two forward, but then stopped. I waved to let Frank and Rachel know that the girls had been found, then walked back up to their pen and opened the gate. When I turned back, they had followed me most of the way.
All I had to do was get around them and gently herd them back. They were done with their adventures.
As these girls will be sold for breeding stock, we have named them. The orange one with black spots is named Hyena (Frank always thought she looked like one), the black with a white band is Jewel (she has a white diamond shape on the end of her nose). The orange with white band and black spots - my favorite and the reason I wanted these girls in the first place - was the hardest to name. She is now Lilac, in honor of where I found them, and because lilacs are my favorite flower.
She will be the hardest one for me to sell. I know that already.
I have to go to the library today, so I will upload pictures then.
My first thought was that they were in the woods, but Buttercup was VERY full and needed attention, so the pigs were going to have to wait. I wasn't looking forward to chasing piglets through the woods at dusk (early because we had rain coming).
While milking, I started to wonder if the pigs went the other way - down into our yard, rather than up into the woods. I had relieved enough pressure off of BC's udder that she was more comfortable, so I decided to take a break and walk down to see if I could find any more pig excavations.
When I came around the side of the chicken coop, I could see all three of them peering at me from under the lilac bush. I softly called to them and they all took a step or two forward, but then stopped. I waved to let Frank and Rachel know that the girls had been found, then walked back up to their pen and opened the gate. When I turned back, they had followed me most of the way.
All I had to do was get around them and gently herd them back. They were done with their adventures.
As these girls will be sold for breeding stock, we have named them. The orange one with black spots is named Hyena (Frank always thought she looked like one), the black with a white band is Jewel (she has a white diamond shape on the end of her nose). The orange with white band and black spots - my favorite and the reason I wanted these girls in the first place - was the hardest to name. She is now Lilac, in honor of where I found them, and because lilacs are my favorite flower.
She will be the hardest one for me to sell. I know that already.
I have to go to the library today, so I will upload pictures then.
