Operation Weaning had to commence. Mamma was still full of milk but starting to get narky with the babies. A Croatian who rented a property belong to my ex. had left a very solid, well-built dog house behind. I had mentally ear marked it. My pig house builder agreed that it could be converted for the purpose. He had done so months ago so it was just a question of getting it moved by a tractor with forks.
It was moved on Saturday last and the fencing was extended. The piglets were tempted in with food and were secured. Or so I thought. So far it's been a pantomime. One or two keep risking getting zapped and with blood curdling squeals make the mad dash under the fence. The first morning after the move, they had all made the dash of death and I found them back in with mamma. Last night before I went to bed I could hear lots of commotion but just ignored it. Then when I went down this morning, found one poor soul who hadn't been brave enough and was alone all night in the dog box.
 |
| There is a pig behind that snout in the straw |
This photo was taken earlier after they had breakfast and went back to bed (in the dog box) for a snooze. I thought to myself, success at last. But only five minutes later three of them skipped back into mamma upon waking.
Now I have mamma in their run but she's too big for the dog box. But at least they are separated from her for most of the day.
However, I wonder should I just give up and let nature take it's course. Especially as just now when I was dropping the fence to tempt the babies back in with food, momma skipped over to freedom and I had a hell of a job to tempt her back even with a bucket. The grass really is greener on the other side of the fence.
I used think horses were a lot of work. They are a walk in the park in comparison to free range pigs who while they hate the electric fence are always willing to take a chance.
