Winter 2018 tested our strength! We had two litters of pigs, 1 planned for and 1 total surprise and a litter of puppies. The surprise piglet litter came in our newly designed paddocks and shelters in the woods. We weren't quite set up for babies out there yet but we hustled and hauled to run heat lamps, separate the sows, and load bedding. A few days later, along came the deep freeze followed by more deep freezes! The hauling continued. Sam and I found ourselves racing with loaded jugs in each arm while mumbling obscenities out of the corner of our mouths as we passed each other. He usually lapped me as I began to have rest breaks every few steps. Next year, we will have a deeper second hydrant installed down by the pig troughs. Then a new challenge presented itself. We lost our 700lb boar in the middle of deep brush and mud. Brainstorming different ways to dispose of this animal, given the difficulty of the terrain was a story that will be remembered. We went from cutting him up to pulling him on a tarp- all of which failed. In the end, we waited until the mud was firmer and looked to neighbors for support. The Milner's lended the tractor and Ol' Duke made it to the Frederick animal lab where they told us he had strep and with the cold and possibly less water couldn't fight it. The adventures continue!
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AuthorCatherine Moy Archives
October 2020
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