After reading a number of warnings about the potential difficulties of herding pigs, taking time to have a dry run at loading the trailer seemed a good idea. This could not have gone more smoothly and within a minute or two of arriving at the trailer the pigs were quite happy to go up the …
Pig ear tagging was yet another task that we had never done before but which had to be completed before they leave for the abattoir on Sunday. There have been many first time tasks since we moved here so we’re getting used to the feeling. It was very similar with our first attempt at killing …
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Some last-minute preparations and planning for the pigs journey – it’ll be their only time out of Northumberland! We’re very glad that we decided to try having pigs but also glad that they are on their way in good time before any really bad weather sets in. It was a frosty morning on Friday with …
Their last week is here and everything appears to be in place for the pigs trip to the abattoir on Sunday. There are just 2 main tasks left to complete before they head off. We need to ear tag them as required by the regulations and register the animal movement from our holding to the …
Sometimes it’s nice to take it slow at the weekend and enjoy the slower pace of our new life with the wonderful scenery around us. Since we moved to the new house I’ve always been very conscious that I should be grateful for the combination of persistence, good timing and dumb luck which got us …
The latest batch of ovine visitors arrived almost a week ago and have made themselves at home already. Our agreement with a local farmer for him to use the front meadows is rather vague about timings and so we never quite know when he will put some sheep on there. The last batch of just …
It’s always a good day when the post man delivers a parcel, the tightly wrapped cardboard box is a tempting prospect that is hard to ignore. Even when I know what is inside the sense of eagerness to open the box is powerful Since we moved here there have regularly been problems with deliveries …
After reaching 6 months old, their departure is getting ever closer so I’m monitoring the progress of our two weaners more closely to provide some useful reference information for the future. Even after having them for just 3-4 months I cannot imagine a situation in the future when I wouldn’t have some pigs for at …