The playful piggies think it's funny to tease the chickens who are trying to snack on their slop. They tipped the pan on the poor little hen up against the fence. She wiggled out alright but came back for more. I've heard of pigs eating chickens who wander through the pen, but I haven't noticed any behavior like that. My pigs are so well fed they don't need to scrounge for food. I throw the trampled down moist hay I drop while I'm carrying it through the barn into their pen and they LOVE it. What they don't eat they make a bed out of. I'm so proud of the way the pigs are turning out. I'm going to let Matt take the "pink" boys first, then keep Natasha and Niven so they can have a litter. They are crossed with Berkshire, Tamworth and Olde English Spot so there is enough diversity to have a healthy litter for food. Thankfully I will never have to sell lambs for food, due to my teaching job. The thought of eating sheep who could grow up and produce wool is not within my realm of possibility. I don't even like the taste of it. Who could eat babies anyway???
The sheep are doing well and all 32 lambs are alive and kicking. Still expecting one or two more sheep to deliver then the Nubians will start dropping babies. Old Mama is hanging on and her boys are cute and spunky. Don't think she will see another winter. She put everything she had into these twins. All the supportive treatment in the world can't extend her life too much longer. More tails and balls today. Much easier on the lambs when it is done very early. Bad news - I have put out too much hay and will have to find more to buy. Thought I could make it through but with all the moms feeding great big lambs, no way. Wish me luck finding good round bales that can be delivered with a vehicle that could get them up this slippery north side slope. Fingers crossed.
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