tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post6458788474711816470..comments2024-03-28T14:37:45.575-04:00Comments on 5 Acres & A Dream: Of Decisions, Priorities, and PigsLeighhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-73091539966910139672016-05-13T06:29:26.825-04:002016-05-13T06:29:26.825-04:00I'm hoping there will be more AGHs in the area...I'm hoping there will be more AGHs in the area soon. I know I've done my part to talk up the breed. :) The only other problem is that most of them will likely be related to Waldo and Polly! I priced my piglets low enough that anybody who was interested in the breed could buy some. (Breeders usually tend to price high, it seems. But my goals are different so I can do that.)Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-5735728901090909552016-05-12T20:08:47.179-04:002016-05-12T20:08:47.179-04:00That would be my concern too. I know in the chicke...That would be my concern too. I know in the chicken realm I'm familiar with, you can get a bunch of breeders in your area, and then they all disappear. Or most of them. Then you're spending more to buy from the few breeders left, because demand for their stock is high.<br /><br />But, God willing, something always turns up. :)Chris https://www.blogger.com/profile/13715819899708384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-26061489875209516902016-05-12T04:31:24.673-04:002016-05-12T04:31:24.673-04:00The biggest hesitation was over the question of ho...The biggest hesitation was over the question of how easy it would be to replace them. Or rather, how difficult. It took a lot of time and travel to find two for the pair. We truly do miss their presence, but now with the place torn up a bit, I'm glad they don't have to be confined!Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-2828117712505497822016-05-12T04:27:56.754-04:002016-05-12T04:27:56.754-04:00Thanks. :) When we first did a master plan, we onl...Thanks. :) When we first did a master plan, we only thought of looking forwards. But you're right, they've turned out to be a wonderful record of plans and ideas. Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-89787120794338618972016-05-12T01:20:32.100-04:002016-05-12T01:20:32.100-04:00This was hard to read about, because I thought the...This was hard to read about, because I thought they were a good breeding pair and you waited so long to find Waldo's girlfriend. But then I understand why it had to happen too. <br /><br />As hard as it is to accept letting animals go, it's harder still, watching them suffer if you aren't able to give them what they need.Chris https://www.blogger.com/profile/13715819899708384147noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-24548673534861110132016-05-10T08:35:42.319-04:002016-05-10T08:35:42.319-04:00I think you've totally made the right choice. ...I think you've totally made the right choice. I must say I love the idea of a master plan so you can see how the farm has evolved over the years, great idea!Tricky Wolfhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08755505701123051720noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-58196092405660611002016-05-10T08:28:26.138-04:002016-05-10T08:28:26.138-04:00and the worms like those!
and the worms like those!<br />Farmer Barbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07596672416236302171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-47600670972826381112016-05-10T05:38:54.883-04:002016-05-10T05:38:54.883-04:00Aw, shucks, Moon-Shadows. :)Aw, shucks, Moon-Shadows. :)Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-72510408580174587632016-05-10T05:22:06.336-04:002016-05-10T05:22:06.336-04:00Exactly. And it's a good feeling knowing they ...Exactly. And it's a good feeling knowing they are in a better set-up than we can provide during the barn building. Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-22984295796310553552016-05-10T05:21:01.317-04:002016-05-10T05:21:01.317-04:001st Man, thank you. It all seems to boil down to g...1st Man, thank you. It all seems to boil down to goals, priorities, and mindset, doesn't it?Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-45500190786818855892016-05-10T05:20:16.767-04:002016-05-10T05:20:16.767-04:00Laura, I confess I have no experience with other b...Laura, I confess I have no experience with other breeds, but after having AGHs, I wouldn't get anything else! They are excellent pasture and forage pigs, don't require a lot of extra feed if they have plenty of that, have great personalities, and delicious meat. I think we got about 50% yield, although we processed them young. Older would give more lard. <br /><br />They will definitely respect electric mesh, as long as it's always on! They seem to be able to smell or feel when it's off. Stock panels work well for adults where you can't have the mesh, as long as it's secured well. We actually had more problems keeping little pigs contained than the big ones. They will find and get through any small opening in the wire or under a gate. Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-8359852172561610572016-05-10T05:13:45.013-04:002016-05-10T05:13:45.013-04:00Well, we all chose the path that appeals to us mos...Well, we all chose the path that appeals to us most! But it makes for interesting blog reading, don't you think?Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-23383997155463589682016-05-10T05:11:37.904-04:002016-05-10T05:11:37.904-04:00Pigs are so excellent at loving what the rest of u...Pigs are so excellent at loving what the rest of us would consider waste. The last time we processed a goat, we debated on what to give the pigs and what to bury (which is what we usually do with things like rumen, etc.) I finally told Dan to just throw it all in and we'd bury whatever was left. But there was nothing left! As manure factories, I think they consumed everything but coffee grounds. Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-24037902524654495272016-05-10T05:08:24.570-04:002016-05-10T05:08:24.570-04:00I used to have a really hard time selling goats, u...I used to have a really hard time selling goats, until I realized that I wasn't the only one who could give them a good home. That it was entirely possible that they could be just as happy or be happier someplace else. That helped!Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-66585596390904261382016-05-10T05:05:56.209-04:002016-05-10T05:05:56.209-04:00As long as there's plenty to eat they'll b...As long as there's plenty to eat they'll be happy!Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-61829814415647708862016-05-10T05:05:26.652-04:002016-05-10T05:05:26.652-04:00Stressful on us, but especially stressful on the p...Stressful on us, but especially stressful on the pigs! Keeping our critters happy is key. :)Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-57213686202082638042016-05-10T05:02:44.767-04:002016-05-10T05:02:44.767-04:00That's why having goals is key - it gives deci...That's why having goals is key - it gives decision making a framework! Emotions can truly be a burden sometimes! The other thing I've learned is to not confuse responsibility with loyalty. Especially when it comes to critters. Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-62815070231309686422016-05-10T04:58:10.550-04:002016-05-10T04:58:10.550-04:00I think you are definitely approaching the whole t...I think you are definitely approaching the whole thing correctly. In the beginning especially there is a lot to do and a lot one wants to do. Preparation is key for success. Leighhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02435811789823712254noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-27278570972562420652016-05-10T00:38:10.686-04:002016-05-10T00:38:10.686-04:00You made a wise choice. Confining the pigs would h...You made a wise choice. Confining the pigs would have stressed you and the pigs for the entire duration of the project, and there's going to be enough stress getting that barn put up. It's much better that they go to a good home, and you've given yourself some elbow room to do what you have to do. Amandahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15236941724022074678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-42694096404097924572016-05-09T21:49:03.966-04:002016-05-09T21:49:03.966-04:00I learn so much from you. Thank you for sharing. ...I learn so much from you. Thank you for sharing. I am like several others have said, I think it would be tough to let go but of course, after reading your book, I understand why things must happen as they do. 1st Manhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04861609647607912193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-89542205658667834732016-05-09T19:55:32.384-04:002016-05-09T19:55:32.384-04:00Since I just "contracted" to buy another...Since I just "contracted" to buy another goat (trading for cheese!!), I'm thinking I may need to get pigs next year. I'd love to hear your thoughts on AGH - meat yield, personality, etc. I'm not sure I can keep big pigs in, since I have rudimentary fencing at best. I've used electric mesh for pigs before, and will use that again. Tough decisions, but necessary...Laurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08421589409738817614noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-63945380864712991342016-05-09T19:32:04.364-04:002016-05-09T19:32:04.364-04:00I would be overwhelmed with your life. I would ge...I would be overwhelmed with your life. I would get attached to the animals except maybe not the pigs! They aren't my favorite animal! Nancy Cozy Thyme Cottagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03933769393226611441noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-49991271869224448062016-05-09T18:01:29.600-04:002016-05-09T18:01:29.600-04:00My friend here has a guinea boar and a wether or g...My friend here has a guinea boar and a wether or gelding or whatever you call a fixed fella. They are HUGE. They are getting older and she is really considering letting them move on to a place that needs new genetics. Her husband said, "I really like not having to throw away food garbage..." Pig chores are just another set of chores in the end. I am staring down four more bags of freshly shorn fleeces. There are always decisions to be made!<br />Farmer Barbhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07596672416236302171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-33448537155758354462016-05-09T15:57:57.398-04:002016-05-09T15:57:57.398-04:00Awww, such cute piggies, I'm sure you'll m...Awww, such cute piggies, I'm sure you'll miss them!! This is why I can't keep any animals....I'm too much of a big softie. Debbie - Mountain Mamahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18401931842031353732noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1694364001063554832.post-64100510806217367682016-05-09T14:13:51.357-04:002016-05-09T14:13:51.357-04:00I'm sure they went to a good home!I'm sure they went to a good home! Edhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13214319366049620074noreply@blogger.com