Pigs!

We're definitely, finally raising a few hogs come this Spring. I'm reading everything I can get my hands on about pig breeds, husbandry, nutrition, etc., which is unfortunately a woefully small number of books. Our local library system had a whole four books on the subject, two of which I'm reading, and two of which I have on hold. I'm surprised and bummed by the lack of information that I've been able to find locally.

With the reading that I have been able to do, I've hit upon a few breeds that really intrigue me - the Kune Kune, the Saddleback and the Chester White. Not that we'll end up with any of these breeds! Looking at Craiglist, it appears to be a sea of Yorkshires, Hampshires, Berkshires or some mixture thereof available in my area and not much else. So I guess we'll get what we get!

Anyhoo - if you have a favorite breed or a hot tip on raising pigs for meat, give me a shout. I'm hungry for more information (and also, some bacon.) ;)

Annabel

My Annabel, my very first hennie, is dying.

There isn't much to be done for seriously ill chicken, and so I feel helpless just seeing her decline day by day. I could take her to the vet, but being honest, I know that it'd be a pointless exercise. We've taken chickens to the vet in the past, we've never taken a chicken home from the vet.

If anybody has any suggestions, I'm willing to try them. She has been losing strength over the past few days and eats very, very little. Her comb has a grayish-blue cast that scares me. She doesn't look to be in pain, just very tired.

I'm wringing my hands. I don't know what I should do for her.

Tinkering...

I'm fiddling around with a new look for the blog. The text still isn't right and I'm not sure what else need tweaking. Your thoughts?

Thanks!

Chelle

Apparently, She was a He

In case you missed the big news, we have baby bunnies.

Our two "girl" bunnies turned out to be a boy and a girl, and as best as we can tell, had about 5 babies in the night 3 nights ago. There are many mysteries to be unraveled here-

*Why did it take them so long to start having babies? After co-habitating peacefully for 10 months, we felt confident that they really were loving sisters. They were loving, alright...

*If Papa bunny (now known as "Prince Charming") has been protective of and kind to both Mama and the babies, should we still take him out of the hutch?

*How soon should we get Prince Charming neutered? Would it be traumatic to take him away from his lady & babies so soon?

*Being the product of inbreeding (ew,ew,ew!), will the babies still be ok?

Alright farmer folk, let me hear it. I can't read my bunny & goat care books fast enough to keep up with all of the stealth uterine action going on over here. If you've got any tips or experience in this area, HELP!

The New Kid in Town

May I introduce, Miss Cotton.



Young Miss Cotton is a full-figured white Cochin seeking new friends and adventure, but sadly meeting with little luck in the friends department. The other boys and girls like to pick on her and chase her.

This is day 3 of Cotton's life at Boggy Hollow, and thus far she has only ventured out of her hidey-hole in a blackberry bramble a handful of times, only to be chased and snipped at by the Alpha hens (aka the big girls) and the roosters. Poor girl. She outweighs them all and could kick their sassy butts if only she had the nerve. In the mean time, she's hiding out and getting bread and pellets hand delivered to her twice a day and somehow managing to sneak into the nest box and lay us some pretty pinkish/brownish eggs.

If anyone has any thoughts on how to help integrate Cotton into the group, I'd be most open to hearing them. We want our girl to feel safe and at home, and so far, I'm afraid that she feels neither. :(