Now that we have had to let the piglets out of their runs and into the main field because of the boggy conditions, feeding them twice a day is quite tricky.
There are seventeen six month old piglets and the mother of six of them roaming free. As I am sure you know, pigs aren't exactly known for having a bird-like appetite, and are somewhat robust. What is perhaps less well-known is the fact that they have a very good bite.
At the moment we estimate that the total weight of the babies and the one mother who is out with them is approximately 1000kgs which is 2200 pounds or about 157 stone. When they see me they charge over and surround me in all directions. There isn't a great deal that I can do in terms of breaking away from them, and if I have got a food bag in my hands they climb over each other to get to it. All rather 'disconcerting' to say the least.....
So, because I have heard the scare stories about people being eaten after falling over in pig enclosures,, I try to feed them before entering their field. This means pouring their food over the fence. I then go into the field to fill up their water troughs and feed Elsie who is still in her original run.
On the right of this shot you can see several of the youngsters eating the food that I have put over the fence for them. You can also see that I am being pursued. There are always one or two or many more pigs that think that there might be something better on offer if they follow me. They are always disappointed, and end up galloping back to the others to finish off what is there. As they gallop they tend to fart very loudly. I have noticed that pigs cough and fart when they have been running and their farts are extremely loud and sound like air being let out of a balloon. There, you learn something every day!
Interestingly, and very annoyingly, the track that you can see leading to my car has been almost completely dug up by the pigs since this shot was taken about a week ago. It is now full of craters where they have been digging up the roots. My lovely field which is full of wild flowers in the summer is slowly being destroyed.
Love this capture! Great composition and a very interesting story. My great aunt and uncle owned a farm for 70+ years - never remembering them having pigs. I can see where you would need to careful. Fav'ing this!
@jantan The Plum Pudding, in Milton village, between Didcot and Abingdon. It's quite new; only got going in November. The pub sign has a picture of the pig on it. http://www.theplumpuddingmilton.co.uk/ The place is quite small but friendly and the meals I've had have been delicious.
I can just picture this so well Jan & know exactly how you would feed them....I never knew about the farting though!!!!! I can imagine this track is a whole lot muddier now & there is a pig between you & your car!!!
Oh no jan you have a piggy problem. Dare I ask when they will be going to market? You need an electric prodder! Great shot but sad about your wild meadow! Feed the pigs sunflower seeds and maybe they can help reinstate some flora!
Oh well maybe the churning and fertilising with encourage some different flowers? Non? Well at least you haven't made the mistake of ever actually having something for them!
Love this shot for it colours and those ears ... being eaten by piglets sounds an ignominious Ronald Dahl ending ... especially cheery darting piglets :0)
