Sunny Slope Hooves and Feathers

We never thought we would have a story about a pig; or two pigs or three pigs or more, but the story is interesting as well as entertaining.  

We were thinking about looking for some weaner pigs to feed out, when my friend Cindy posted that she was selling her hogs. I asked her if she would sell us one and at the end of the conversation she had talked me into buying a bred guilt which would provide us with piglets when she would farrow. That sounded like a really good deal.

Two weeks later Cindy called back and asked If we would be willing to trade the young guilt for a bred sow who would have her piglets near the end of April. The price would be the same. That sounded good to me so we agreed. She said she would keep the sow until spring. About a week later her next phone call was concerning "Forest" the boar. She didn't want to butcher him and offered to sell him to us for $100. That sounded like a really good deal as well.

So now we are looking at bringing two pigs home in March when the ground thawed enough to get the gates open. About the first of March, Cindy called and said the ground was thawed, the gates would open, and I should come get the pigs. When I got there and backed up to the gate, she introduced me to Forest, Isabel, and Jezebel. and asked which of the sows I wanted, or did I want them  both? The price was right for all three, and that sounded like a really good deal as well so I ended up coming home with three hogs. Sue said she should have never let me go get the pigs by myself!

The night of April 6, both sows decided to make their nests in the straw and give birth to what turned out to be 11 little piggies. They have since been weaned and are living on their own. Eating grass, hay, and grain and living the life of a hog! 

Forest is back living with his ladies and the little pigs are getting bigger. If you are interested in American Guinea Hogs, I will post some links below. They typically are market size at about 230- 250 pounds. Meat is flavorful and the cost to put one in the freezer will not break the bank.

https://americanminipigassociation.com/mini-pig-breeds/american-guinea-hog-breed-standard/ 

https://thriftyhomesteader.com/6-reasons-to-add-american-guinea-hogs/#:~:text=It's%20less%20than%20half%20the,reasons%20it%20almost%20became%20extinct.  

https://guineahogs.org/guinea-hog-pork/