I really hope that spring comes early this year! I am ready for it now. They are calling for a moderate thaw next week in the extended forecast, let's hope it is true!
we cleaned pig pen and tweeked the feeder last weekend. Still need to add one more thing and I think we will get through the winter with it. Our current problem was wasted feed. There were no covers or sides on the trough so the small pigs would stand in the feed and root it out onto the floor. Then they would spread it everywhere. The big pigs would simply pull it all out and make a pile on the floor. In one day they managed to empty the entire thing onto the floor and then pooped in it. That is another problem, they won't "go" outside when it is cold! Instead they are making a mess of the barn.
Well, to try to control the waste I added sides and doors to the feeder. They then ripped one off already. It did cut down a lot on the waste though. They have been several days without emptying the barrel which means they are actually eating it. I noticed tonight when checking on them that the side missing the lid has feed on the floor and the other side does not. They are having trouble getting the feed to come down as they cannot root as deep as they could before. We are gonna add one more board for them to knock around that will keep the feed moving. We are just trying to get through this first winter and generate some income to get a proper feeder that will handle more pigs eating from it. It will also be difficult to find one that will handle the feed mix with the hay in it. Most all feeders are designed to handle grain only.
The poop and pee issue will be remedied this summer as well. First of all we are gonna construct some pig lots to contain the little ones in till they are big enough to respect the fence. We also need another lot for breeding and to separate the boar from the piglets when needed. Some form of water will be available out in the pasture so that they have to go out of barn more than a couple feet to get it. This will hopefully get them to "GO" along the way in the winter. In the summer they have the stream and such which will keep them out of the barn except to sleep. Lastly we are gonna construct some actual birthing pens that can also double as winter housing for them that will be easy to clean and maintain. The only way to clean the current setup is with a pitchfork through a hole in the wall. The boar will have use of the pen in the barn for himself and I will decrease its side and put a shelf over the top for hay storage.
The cows are doing great. The hay is lasting a little longer due to two less mouths to feed. Wife is putting finishing touches on cut sheets for the two at the butcher. The two new dudes fit right in with everyone and seem to be quite happy and are doing well.
Time to head to bed, gotta be up in a few hours to go deal with currently falling snow. I used to love the snow and plowing and salting, now it is just another thing I gotta do when it is cold out! I just wanna have a campfire and sit outside and drink an ice cold beer in a t-shirt and a pair of shorts!
Stay warm,
Kenny
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