Portable pigs - finally!

[Shawn]

You know, one of those things you've been dragging your feet about doing, cause you weren't quite sure how to do it and then once you did it, realized, hey, that was easy?? We let the pigs loose in the corral. After they get done running around like maniacs, having a ball, we herded them over into the small area where last winter we fed cows on the round bale ring. It's raised up a foot or so because of all the hay/poo deposits. We ran electric fence around the edge and put up some paneling to keep cows from tripping over/into the low wire. So the pigs are out in "hog heaven" rooting and tilling to their hearts' content. When they get it all fluffed up, I'm going to deposit it on my garden. (I need a manure spreader so next year I can put this on my pasture.) Then I'd like to spread a new layer of wood chips and start haying there again. It's a handy spot with a gate right into our yard. It worked well to back the tractor in there and leave a bale. No having to forage into the mucky corral area and dig big ruts.

So anyway, I'm wondering why it took me so long to finally implement this program. ;D They seem pretty happy there. The biggest drawback is having to haul water and food over there, but hey, it's a short time, hopefully. This was all precipitated by them escaping last Monday and they were having such a blast in the corral running and rooting, that I decided to get off the dime and get this going. Glad I did.

What height should the wire be run for pigs? These guys were purchased around late June, early July at about 40#. So they're not huge yet, but are growing.

[Tricia]

We used to do 2 wires, one at a height between my ankle and knee, the other just below my knee cap level. I just had marks on my boots to measure by. We no longer use wire.....
Premier one makes a new net fence for pigs. I highly highly highly recomend it. We have had ZERO escapes and they mind it well.
It is low cost and very moveable.

[Janene]

No piggy pics to show us of them having fun?? For shame!!
Heh heh have you gotten them sold (meat) yet? Hint hint!
Janene

[Shawn]

You know, since we got this new camera, I don't know how to unload the pics. Luckily, DH has been faithfully downloading the house project pics, so mine get done, too. We were both so worn out this weekend, I was TOO lazy to come back to the house for the camera. I wanted a before and after pic of the spot where they're "working." ;D

I actually went to bed Sun night at 9:30. (had the day off Monday) and slept until 10:30. Got up twice for potty break, that's it. I was running on fumes! Felt like a new woman after that. I knew I had been burning the candle at both ends, but the mental stress of spending all this money was killing me.

Anyway, I never presell pork, as all I have to do is let the word be know at work that I've got some and it magically disappears. If you want some, you better tell me now.