Last year, about this time, I sold a couple of Large Black gilts to a fellow in Manitoba. Yesterday he e-mailed me this picture of his first litter from one of the girls! 6 healthy little ones, 4 gilts. I was happy to see another generation of these rare pigs hit the ground in a good home. Neal was very happy with how good a mother she was too. Most farmers will tell you that you need a barn and a farrowing crate etc. etc. Neal even went to the trouble of building a couple of a-frame farrowing huts for the girls out in the pasture, but this sow didn't like his construction because she just built a nest of straw out in the open and did her thing. Neal mentioned how careful she was in moving about the nest so that she wouldn't lay on anyone. This is entirely normal for the breed and probably normal for any breed that is given the ability to farrow outdoors in a natural setting. Thursday, April 26, 2007
Another Generation of Large Blacks!
Last year, about this time, I sold a couple of Large Black gilts to a fellow in Manitoba. Yesterday he e-mailed me this picture of his first litter from one of the girls! 6 healthy little ones, 4 gilts. I was happy to see another generation of these rare pigs hit the ground in a good home. Neal was very happy with how good a mother she was too. Most farmers will tell you that you need a barn and a farrowing crate etc. etc. Neal even went to the trouble of building a couple of a-frame farrowing huts for the girls out in the pasture, but this sow didn't like his construction because she just built a nest of straw out in the open and did her thing. Neal mentioned how careful she was in moving about the nest so that she wouldn't lay on anyone. This is entirely normal for the breed and probably normal for any breed that is given the ability to farrow outdoors in a natural setting. 
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Incredibly cute and small piglets!
ReplyDeleteYes, it's 'amazing' that animals manage to raise their young given normal conditions. 'Just like in the wild'...
Most animals are good parents - they have to be in order for the species to survive. It's only when their natural instincts are thwarted by unnatural living conditions that their behavior becomes destructive.
It is tough for modern famers who have been caught in the trap of raising hogs in an industrial setting. Feed, weaners and marketing are all with the same company so you are forced to be a "franchisee" for the company. Your profits are completely limited (read non-existant) and each and ever pig is important because the margins are so low. Raising pigs on a small scale means that the farmer can make at least a little money and he has the easy feeling of being able to treat animals humanely. Customers like you help to make agriculture more 'natural'! Thank you!
ReplyDelete