Farrow to Finish: A Birth Story

Some birth stories are better than others. This one’s not great, but does begin on Christmas Eve which at least makes it a bit hopeful.

Or, if you want to get technical, shortly after midnight on December 25th, Christmas Day. Either way, these are Christmas pigs which will make them mid-summer pork chops. Read more…

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Farrow to Finish: The First 48 Hours

Pigs are relatively strong and mobile at birth. Their eyes are open and they can get around well enough to get themselves to the milk bar, if nothing else. Within 24 hours, they’re toddling wobbily around, and are capable of learning how to use a creep area, which is what we call an area the sow cannot access but the newborn pigs can. It may be heated, and it gives them a safe place to rest where they cannot be laid on or disturbed. Read More…

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Farrow to Finish: The First Month

Much has changed since we last checked in on our Farrow-to-Finish litter.

By the end of the first month those cute little pigs begin to look a bit more like hogs; widening, thickening, and developing an evil eye for anyone who enters their weaning shed uninvited. We still think they’re rather adorable, but the physical changes are undeniable.

They now weigh anywhere from two to four times as much as they did at birth, just four weeks ago, and since the first 48 hours they’ve learned just about everything they’ll need to know in this life. Read More…

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Farrow to Finish: Eaters and Explorers

Remember when these were tiny and pink and adorable? No more.

Our farrow to finish pigs are pushing three months old now and growing rapidly. Because they were a winter farrow they’ve grown a hair coat since moving from the weaning shed to their outdoor digs, a paddock with a three-sided hut for shelter; they’ll shed it much like any other animal once the weather warms in the spring. Read More…

More Coming Soon!