Discussion
Pecking order is now fixed, feed time is quite calm unless Piglet tries to eat from Bigpig's trough LOL.
20230302_124843 by Old_Chad, on Flickr
The Manga's definitely do more damage with their longer snouts, OSBs are easier on the ground.
2 Manga's rooting for 2 weeks (under to oak trees looking for acorns
20230302_124746 by Old_Chad, on Flickr
6 OSB's along the same bit of hedge for a week and 1/2
20230302_124716 by Old_Chad, on Flickr
Just had the details through for the pedigree of them, I was expecting 2 registered on the herd book and the rest just notified births, turns out they are all registered so 1 that was heading for the freezer in 3 moths has had a reprieve!
It has thrown out my breeding and sausage plan for the year now, I was planning to have 2 litters from an OSB boar from Cagney & 1 of the OSB's. Cagney's will be slower finishing, so may do 3 litters now, 2 OSB and 1 Manga cross.
20230302_124843 by Old_Chad, on FlickrThe Manga's definitely do more damage with their longer snouts, OSBs are easier on the ground.
2 Manga's rooting for 2 weeks (under to oak trees looking for acorns
20230302_124746 by Old_Chad, on Flickr6 OSB's along the same bit of hedge for a week and 1/2
20230302_124716 by Old_Chad, on FlickrJust had the details through for the pedigree of them, I was expecting 2 registered on the herd book and the rest just notified births, turns out they are all registered so 1 that was heading for the freezer in 3 moths has had a reprieve!
It has thrown out my breeding and sausage plan for the year now, I was planning to have 2 litters from an OSB boar from Cagney & 1 of the OSB's. Cagney's will be slower finishing, so may do 3 litters now, 2 OSB and 1 Manga cross.
They only stay still while eating or snoozing in the sun (which is rare at the moment)
20230307_123410 by Old_Chad, on Flickr
20230304_105212 by Old_Chad, on Flickr
20230307_123410 by Old_Chad, on Flickr20230304_105212 by Old_Chad, on FlickrDefinitely friendly, new pigs are a bit more cautious, but like a head and ear scratch. Cagney & Lacy are overly friendly, have to be careful when in with them as they are 100kg+ and can easily bowl you over when they run up for scratches, both like ear and belly scratches. But I am 100% sure if I fell over & sparked out in the pens with C&L I would come out with a limb chewed off! LOL The OSBs are a bit more domesticated and further from their wild boar roots, think it would take a bit longer before I was on the menu with them. I keep them well fed, a hungry pig is a hangry pig!
Update, the OSB's are doing really well, organising a visit from a boar over in north Wales for a month or so after easter, need to introduce Cagney & Lacey to the oldest 2 OSBs as they will need to be penned together with the boar for some time. Managed to remember to get a photo of each of the girls today mainly for my records, the 2 little ones have really put on some weight since they arrived.
Bigpig
20230328_160632 by Old_Chad, on Flickr
Greta
20230328_160642 by Old_Chad, on Flickr
Gerry
20230328_160704 by Old_Chad, on Flickr
Trouble
20230328_160651 by Old_Chad, on Flickr
the pig with no name
20230328_160735 by Old_Chad, on Flickr
Piglet
20230328_160740 by Old_Chad, on Flickr
And one of Cagney & Lacey in peak fluff, will start shedding soon
20230328_160845 by Old_Chad, on Flickr
Bigpig
20230328_160632 by Old_Chad, on FlickrGreta
20230328_160642 by Old_Chad, on FlickrGerry
20230328_160704 by Old_Chad, on FlickrTrouble
20230328_160651 by Old_Chad, on Flickrthe pig with no name
20230328_160735 by Old_Chad, on FlickrPiglet
20230328_160740 by Old_Chad, on FlickrAnd one of Cagney & Lacey in peak fluff, will start shedding soon
20230328_160845 by Old_Chad, on FlickrEdited by scrw. on Friday 12th May 23:34
Edited by scrw. on Friday 12th May 23:35
The OSBs do like a brush
20230402_124829 by Old_Chad, on Flickr
Adlib feeder has arrived, they seem most happy with it, need to go and stock up on food now, and depress myself when I find out how much it costs to fill it LOL
20230404_132944 by Old_Chad, on Flickr
20230404_132959 by Old_Chad, on Flickr
20230402_124829 by Old_Chad, on FlickrAdlib feeder has arrived, they seem most happy with it, need to go and stock up on food now, and depress myself when I find out how much it costs to fill it LOL
20230404_132944 by Old_Chad, on Flickr20230404_132959 by Old_Chad, on FlickrThey have been loving the sun over the last few days...
20230407_135031 by Old_Chad, on Flickr
Greta snores, I did try sneaking up to get a video but she woke up just after I took this shot
20230407_134954 by Old_Chad, on Flickr
20230407_135031 by Old_Chad, on FlickrGreta snores, I did try sneaking up to get a video but she woke up just after I took this shot
20230407_134954 by Old_Chad, on FlickrThe slot the feed comes out is quite small, so slowly falls through. I am keeping an eye on the amount they are going through at the minute, the first 2 days they ate ~30-40% more than I was feeding them in the troughs, now it is about 10% more and they are properly grazing at it as and when they like. Now they know there is always food there they are not eating as much as possible in 1 go. There are 5 feed segments, and apart from the 2 big pigs they share the segments if 2 go up, always the case of other pigs feed must be better than mine and they are constantly swapping if a few of them are at the food. According to the manufacturer & Red Tractor one feeder is good for 50 pigs, never going to get near that number in our herd.
They do like lounging in the sun, will have to build a decent sunshade in time for the summer, OSBs are prone to sunburnt ears.
2023-04-20_12-25-58 by Old_Chad, on Flickr
2023-04-20_12-16-03 by Old_Chad, on Flickr
2023-04-20_12-25-58 by Old_Chad, on Flickr2023-04-20_12-16-03 by Old_Chad, on Flickrbolidemichael said:
Interesting thread and the Mangalica are topical for me having recently discovered the soft salami at a local Hungarian deli.
That is good stuff, can get some locally to me, and will have to discuss with them if they can make some just for me to sell on from our pigs.
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