Twice recently I’ve been asked “how come we got into pigs”?
Well.
Back in 2008 I read an article in the Irish Times about a day long course on ‘how to’ with pigs. As I’ve said many times before I wanted to get hens. But A wanted pigs. So I suggested we do this course – more of a learning experience for me as I knew zilch about pigs!
So one sunny autumn Sunday we drove up to Sligo and attended a course. A was totally enamoured by the pigs…. and, of course, there were some for sale!
We came home and chatted about it, and it was decided that we would get 2 pigs to see how we got on. The sty (rather stylish one) was prepared and we were ready. The plan was to raise them for our own table and to share with friends and family.
The following week A headed back up to Sligo with trailer to collect the 2 boy pigs.
Silly me.
Never let A go on a shopping trip…. he came back with 3 boy pigs…. well, you couldn’t leave one behind on his own!!!!!!!
We’d been told not to give them names so they were known as 14, 15 and 16 – their ear tag numbers.
They settled in nicely.
I went off to work daily.
But…
One Saturday morning (and we were now into winter time, so I was going to and from work in the dark!) I was sat down and told we had a couple more pigs! (I really was in the dark!)
A had decided he liked the pigs so much to go and buy some girl pigs! We now had Lucy, Pinky, Perky and Floppy.
And what do you get when you leave boy pigs and girl pigs share the same house and field?
You guessed it….. a lot, an awful lot, of baby pigs.
To be precise we had 48 baby pigs.
Suddenly we were in the pig business.
Clarence
And that’s how it all started. 🙂
It sounds like it was your destiny Margaret. Do you guys ever sell the baby piglets to other pig farmers? Or do you sell Pork only?
Perhaps, Mona… perhaps! Yes, indeed we do sell piglets too and we now even run our own ‘how to’ with pigs courses! Are you thinking of getting pigs?
Margaret
I love that story. I really must invite myself over to visit the piggies, of which I am very fond. When there are piglets so I can make a *squeeee* noise, of course.
no need to invite yourself…. you are now officially invited! When?
Gorgeous! My Granny and Grandad always had a few pigs and they all had their own personalities. I have fond memories of their farmyard and how well they loved their animals. Nothing as good looking as yours, mind……only plain pink, but still gorgeous.
Oh we have a couple of pink, spotted ones too! And yes they all have their own personalities and special likes and dislikes when it comes to food!
Thank you for reading!
Love this story, sounds just like here. The idea of not naming them doesn’t work too well – they are characters and tbh of all the pigs we’ve had the saddlebacks are the friendliest.
I know! We’ve generally ended up giving the more characterful ones names!
Margaret
I totally love pigs, but as pets. I am thinking about getting a small one. I have a friend with a pig…she named him “Fluffy.”
Great post, made me smile!
Thank you for stopping by and reading! Glad you enjoyed it! If you’re thinking of getting a pig… get 2 they love company! And remember they do grow up to be very very big!
Margaret
I love this story. You were destined to be pig farmers! Or at least with Alfie around, you had no choice about it!
Thank you Sharon! In all the horoscopes I ever read… I never saw the pigs coming!
Margaret
Isn’t it funny how things turn out? Sometimes, things were just meant to be. Love your story M, and an inspiration for anyone else wanting to get into rearing pigs.:)
Thanks Colette. Perhaps I should continue the story… on what happens next!
M