Why is Midnight doing this to Chestnut?

[Carla D]

Female pigs cycle every 21 days...about 3 weeks ago means that Midnight is likely cycling.

Berkshire and Old Spot are both heritage breeds.

Thank you. I didn’t know if they were or not. I wish I knew a little bit more about farming. But I guess being in my mid 40’s isn’t too late to learn.

 

[Wehner Homestead]

You’ll get it! Keep reading around here and you’ll be amazed what you’ll learn!

 

[Latestarter]

You're only in your mid 40s? Damn... that gives you about a 15-20+ year head start on some of us! You should be happy you've started soon enough that you can still do the things that need doing without pain and in a reasonable amount of time. Most of us here are still learning. We kinda help each other along as best we can with a lot of help from a few with much more experience.

 

[Carla D]

I wish that were the case. I’m actually a disabled nurse due to chronic pain which I’ve had since my mid 20’s and chronic major depression which I’ve been treating since I was 14-16 years old. I struggle really hard most days toget out of bed because the pain level is so great. My doctors won’t treat chronic pain anymore because they can’t cure it and they don’t want to get their chronic pain patients addicted to strong pain medication. Their answer to me is stay active and keep busy/distracted. This year, about August the pain got a whole lot worse for me. So I’ve been spending a lot of time at the farm. I usually make 3-4 trips there everyday to “control” my pain or seek some relief. Late September is when I bought my baby goats. And when I first got them I had goats out there that I was feeding every few hours during the day and as many as three at home that needed more attention because they were struggling. Between them and my 4yr old daughter I was literally running nonstop from 7:30am-Midnight for the first 10-12 days. But, surprisingly, I was a whole lot more exhausted than I was in pain. I attribute that to my baby goats. I wish I could new babies all year around just for that relief. I’ve been spending more time with the pigs as well because they are/were ready to burst with babies. My husband and I have built two completely new farrowing stalls with have sows and new babies in. I also get the privilege of being their “midwife” since my FIL is a bit old school and my husband works full time. I really enjoy that as well. It really does keep me busy. The worst part though is my memory and ability to concentrate had significantly diminished since I was in my mid thirties. But, I’m learning that I’m truly loving the farm life. I grew up in the country. But unlike my husband I didn’t grow up farming. So I have a lot to learn to keep up with him and the farm. I’m a bit of a late bloomer. I didn’t get married until I was 38 for the first time, then I waited until I was 42 to have a baby. It kinda makes me chuckle sometimes. I actually married a man who had his high school locker three lockers away from mine the entire time we were in high school. He’s also the same age as me, 46. But he’s been married before and has two children of his own in their twenties. His oldest child has made us grandparents to three beautiful grand babies. One of which is two weeks old which we have yet to meet because we honestly couldn’t get away from the farm for more than an hour at a time then our house got and their house got sick. So we have a two week old grandson named Jayden that we have yet to meet. They only live 20-25 minutes away from us. We feel so horrible. But, I’m learning farm life is busy life. I kinda like that. I’m used to really long hours. For a few years before I became disabled 100+ hours a week as a nurse. Yup, more than 400 hours a month. So things have slowed down tremendously. So, that may be why I’m in complete awe over some of these older people I’ve been chatting with in BYH. Just the fact that their lives are so much more labor intensive and busier than mine is, kinda makes me jealous that I’m nowhere to their level of activity, business, and knowledge as they are and in 15-30 years younger than some of them. One or two ladies in here that I’ve made acquaintance with are in their early 70’s. They are mind blowing to me as to their very busy and active lifestyles. They inspire me to not stop and to try really hard to do what I’m discovering I really love. So thank you. Your statement was quite a pat on the back. I needed that. Thank you again.

 

[Mini Horses]

Several retired nurses on here. Some have issues that have been resolved with research and self help in the form of holistic treatment, not conventional drugs. As a nurse I am sure you realize that herbals and non conventional are the basis of most of our meds and that our own bodies have the ability to function well if treated well. I am of the opinion that much of the common ailments in today's life is due to lifestyle and food intake as much as anything. Our country is suffering from processed, chemical filled foods that have been altered to not even provide the nutrition we need. Add a sedentary lifestyle, way too much weight, not enough outside activity and stress to "improve" what wasn't broken, then you have a mess. I'm not an activist, I just see this every day, everywhere....and I have had a farm most all of my 73 years of life! Works for me -- haven't even had a cold in over 40 yrs. Live healthy.

YOU can continue to improve your own health!!!

Embrace non chemical veggies, meats, eggs, fresh milk and combine with the work required. You may find the long lasting health issues you have fading away. Watch for healthy intake, balance vit/min, deletion of added chemicals, preservatives, colorings to our food and you may be amazed. Forgetful? Checkout your levels of vit/min -- Most of our mental acuity is determined by healthy eating. Personally I find D3 & B12 very important, as well as NOT skipping meals, healthy ones. I use real butter, whole, raw milk, lot of vegetables, lower sugar, very little bread. Still drink coffee, wine, eat carbs, healthy fats, fruits, lots of onion & garlic plus herbs. I work a job and tend my farm & animals. I am not amazing, just healthy and have a great immune system that I keep healthy. As you have seen there are MANY of us who are active far later than "retirement age" -- healthy lifestyle. I'm planning to spend more farm time next Spring, less "outside work", simply to enjoy more of what I love to do.

Otherwise, your pigs seem normal....as others have already said, that's their life.

What kind of goats do you have? Do you have plans for them? I raise dairy -- small herd of about 15. Yes, I milk, make cheese, etc. Not everyone wants to but, it's rewarding for me.

 

[Carla D]

I have mostly Alpine. They are the funniest guys I’ve seen in a long time. And my daughter has claimed the one Saanen I have as her baby. Jack Frost is one very lucky little goat. She is very doting to him. I also had a single Nubian. Her was super sweet and wanted to be held and carried around much like many cats I’ve had. He passed away roughly ten days ago at the vets office. I find it cute how the little guys can ram heads one minute and melt in my arms the next. I have always been a cat person, since the day I was born. But my goats are giving my “crazy cat lady” image a real run for their money. I know I will love them when they are grown up. I can’t not love on any animal, except small dogs. I don’t like them at all. I’m not sure what my plans are with the goats. While I know they a dairy goat I had one or two of them sold to be eaten. I had thought about raising some and breeding them to sell. But I have no interest in being a registered goat breeder. My understanding is that registered goat breeder can make a good chunk of change on their registered goats. These guys may end up simply being pets and lawn mowers, ditch sweepers. I’ve always wanted to rescue unwanted, old, abused, neglected animals especially farm animals and giving them a really nice life and place to live the rest of their days out. So I think loving and caring for a mess of wethers is a fabulous alternative. I would love to breed a few Nubians because I fell in love instantly with Fonzy, the one Nubian out of the bunch. But I’m seriously considering buying whatever little bucklings I can get from the place I bought these from. While they are commercial farmers, she told me I’d only needed to feed them twice a day and that they should be weaned at 8 weeks, I think the instructions she gave me were subpar and neglectful. So I’m thinking I rescued these little billies. Since they will be wethered, way too many people consider them to be worthless money burners/wasters, I’ll be saving these as well by giving them a great life with a lot of love and attention. If I wish to have more babies down the road I’ll “rescue” them from the same breeder. She sold them at $5 a head. That kinda tells me how little she thinks of young bucklings that may possibly not be up to her breeding standards. She only sells the brand new buckling at $5/head. She sells brand new doelings for $250/head. Maybe that is what most breeders sell their babies for. But, in my eyes any living breathing animal is priceless and valuable.

I do agree with you about the diet and living healthy can definitely slow down or reverse the symptoms of many illnesses. That’s just not something I’m very good at practicing. So many of my aches, pains, and other symptoms are a result of my own doing. Old habits are really hard to break. But there are also a few habits I’ve never picked up or even tried. I don’t drink alcohol of any kind anymore. I’ve had about a ¼ of a wine cooler in the last six years. Prior to that I wasn’t a big drinker anyways. I don’t like the feeling I get after a few sips of alcohol. I’ve never done or tried any illegal drug/substances, not even marijuana, not one sip of coffee. I used to drive differently as well. I used to be a big time speeder, do country stops, and simply not practice or respect safety practices. My driving has completely changed. While I have some chronic illness I have every intention and want to live to be 97 years of age.i also believe in basic respect, helping your neighbors, and if you’re going to do something do it right/vey best the first time around. I’m not sure why I’m rambling like this. I’m sorry. While my lifestyle is not the healthiest it can be, I do have a lot of old time thinking, courtesy, kindness, I believe in helping others as best as you can and giving everyone the benefit of the doubt, a second chance, and respect from the moment of first contact, until they prove otherwise a couple of times, and lead by example. Again sorry for the rambling.

 

[Latestarter]

I spoke out of turn and I apologize... I had no idea of your circumstances or the issues you deal with on a daily basis. I don't feel sorry for you, but I am sorry that this is the case. I'm happy that you've found something that helps you and you are most welcome here with us to ask questions or seek help or just to shoot the bull (not literally... well, then again, I personally love a good steak )...

I’m not sure why I’m rambling like this. I’m sorry. While my lifestyle is not the healthiest it can be, I do have a lot of old time thinking, courtesy, kindness, I believe in helping others as best as you can and giving everyone the benefit of the doubt, a second chance, and respect from the moment of first contact, until they prove otherwise a couple of times, and lead by example. Again sorry for the rambling.

Many of us here have ongoing journals where we can post thoughts, gripes, issues, happy events, etc. You should consider creating one! https://www.backyardherds.com/forums/members-backyardherds-journals.18/ Your last 2 posts would have been ideal thread starters as an introduction so people could get to know a little about you. The present title of my journal is "Latestarter's ramblings/musings/gripes and grumbles.". You can change your title as many times as you wish over time, but it should start with your screen name. You could ask admin to move these last few posts over for you or cut and paste them yourself.

Congrats on your latest grandbaby I have several but they are a long way away from me here.

 

[Carla D]

I spoke out of turn and I apologize... I had no idea of your circumstances or the issues you deal with on a daily basis. I don't feel sorry for you, but I am sorry that this is the case. I'm happy that you've found something that helps you and you are most welcome here with us to ask questions or seek help or just to shoot the bull (not literally... well, then again, I personally love a good steak )...



Many of us here have ongoing journals where we can post thoughts, gripes, issues, happy events, etc. You should consider creating one! https://www.backyardherds.com/forums/members-backyardherds-journals.18/ Your last 2 posts would have been ideal thread starters as an introduction so people could get to know a little about you. The present title of my journal is "Latestarter's ramblings/musings/gripes and grumbles.". You can change your title as many times as you wish over time, but it should start with your screen name. You could ask admin to move these last few posts over for you or cut and paste them yourself.

Congrats on your latest grandbaby I have several but they are a long way away from me here.

I hadn’t found the journal area yet. Actually, I didn’t know it exists. I will follow your suggestion on this. What a great way to learn about other people. Do a lot of people do a journal?

 

[Latestarter]

When you click the link I provided, you'll see a running list of all the journals created, in order according to the most recent one posted to. The newest post journal will be at the top of the list. Mine is like a giant sleeping pill... read it only when you really want/need sleep. It's long and verbose But there are lots of other really interesting folks you can get to know!

 

[B&B Happy goats]

Carla, you have some great folks responding to you, they are very knowledgeable about animals., and really caring people.....my suggestion is get more goats, lol they are a great healer of the mind, body and soul. Enjoy your adventure and be kind to yourself.