New from North Carolina

[Kojack]

I'm in! Three weeks into raising two feeder pigs (Tamworth/Chester/Duroc mixes...I think). I've learned a lot on BYH and I'm having a great time with the pigs.

 

[redtailgal]

Hi! Welcome to the herd!

I'm from NC as well, near Charlotte.

We dont have pigs right now, but I am very partial to durocs!

Nice to have you here!

 

[dwbonfire]

Hey!
from NC here too, Anson County. we have our pig pen all done and waiting on the pigs now, getting some tamworth/bershire crosses!

welcome and take pics of your set up and pigs for us!

 

[marlowmanor]

I'm in NC too. Davidson county. Where in NC are you from?

 

[Kojack]

Thank you for the warm welcome. We're in Pender County about 20 miles from Wilmington.

I'm not certain if I understand how to link to photos, but I'll give it a shot.

Both are guilts. For perspective, the feed trough is made from a 2" x 6".

This is the more friendly (and photogenic) of the two.

They're fed slop, sow and pig feed/pellets, and old produce. I'm amazed at what they choose not to eat...apples, eggplant, onions, corn, and sweet & white potatoes (I know there are a variety of opinions on potatoes).

The pig hut is is on 4 x 4 skids and is made of 4' x 6' roofing material that looks like metal, but is sort of a corrugated shingle maerial (without the gravel). It was less expensive than metal. It's closed on three sides. Bedding consists of pinestraw and oak leaves.

Water is available in a galvanized tub that is weighted down by a solid concrete block. So far, so good.

Their pasture is where our garden was (and will be, again). It's about 100' x 30', including about 25 feet in the woods. They're contained by three strands of traditional electric fence placed at 6", 12" and 18". They had been contained by e-fence before I got them. They seem to respect it, though one got out and was pacing in front of the fence trying to figure out how to get back in when I found it. I unplugged the fence, cornered it and it dove back through the wire and into the pasture area. That was a week ago; no problem since (fingers crossed).

My goal is to get them as close to 200 lbs as I can between now and about mid April when they'll be processed.

 

[redtailgal]

Maybe my eyes are playing tricks on me, but I think I see popsicles with the wooden stick still in them in the first pic?

If so, please be careful. I've seen pigs eat something like that and end up with a ruptured (punctured) bowel. As a child we had some sows get into the onions, and die! Maybe your pigs are smarter than ours were. Just remember, that saying about pigs being dirty is just a myth. They are very clean animals. If they have choice between clean water and dirty water, they will choose the clean everytime, same thing with food. THey will drink better and eat better if they feel like their food and water is clean, thus gaining weight better. I was always told that when I eat the pig, I also eat everything that the pig ate! Lol, that kind of grossed me out as a child.

I like your pig house, lol. It's a simple but good house, that looks like it would be easy for you to move later if you need to. Once a pig learns the fence, they are usually pretty good to stay in it. You should have a pretty good garden next spring, the pigs will fertilize and aerate it for you.

Do you plan to slaughter them yourself or will you be taking them in?

We slaughtered them ourselves. I hated the killing part, and would always run inside until after "the shot" was fired. Then I would wiat until I knew the throat was slit before I would go out. I HATED scraping, but LOVED freshmade livermush! We killed in the spring and again in the fall. In the fall, we would dig a hole and pit roast a pig all day long, and then have a pig picking that evening. We would sit around with forks and literally pick the meat off the bone.
We also liked to sugar cure a ham, crusting it thick with brown sugar and a little molassed, then put it in the smoke house for a few days.....good grief, that was some good stuff!

Good ole days!

We had durac boars that we crossed into wild sows. We had little spotted babies that grew into monsters with tusks, but man, those hybrid sows tasted good.

I guess it wasnt what you intended, but you sent me down memory lane, lol. Thanks for sharing!

 

[Kojack]

Thank you for your thoughts. Memories are much of the joy.

We haven't decided whether we'll process our selves. The forums have been helpful in understanding the pros and cons. It might come down simply to whether willing help or a livestock trailer is available.

 

[Ms. Research]

from New Jersey

 

[SDGsoap&dairy]

Very cute pigs.

 

[lilhill]