Our first hog roast!

77kgs was the weight of our boy, first we had worried that he wouldn't be big enough, then we worried that he was too big!

Anyway, our first hog roast I must say, has gone very, very well. We managed to serve eighty rolls in an hour, many came up for seconds, some even thirds! And those rolls were full!

 Before long there was not too much left...

We also served homemade coleslaw and applesauce but unfortunately I didn't take any photographs of the salad table.  We were also approached about doing other events, so watch this space...

The day is here when we have to say goodbye to our lovely young boar.  He had to go first really as there are many young gilts that he would soon be taking advantage of...

He walked straight onto the trailer without any problems at all.

Our beautiful and friendly boy.

It's very difficult to get a good photograph of the cross breed pigs as whenever they hear us coming they rush to the gate.  That is where we feed them 

However husband has persevered as it is always nice to look back at them to reminisce.

  We never name the pigs but as it is quite a small set up it is quite difficult for them to remain anonymous as they all have their own personalities.  The pair of pigs that came first have lovely personalities and if they are not looking for food they are looking for a fuss.  They like nothing more than having a scratch behind the ear, it's quite funny to watch as their eyes roll and they melt into the ground with enjoyment. It doesn't seem long but the boar will very soon become a hog roast.  He has had a lovely life and when we feed them now we feel sad. We have always said that the day we don't feel this about one of our pigs then it is time to give up pig ownership.

The Saddlebacks.

The younger pigs are growing into lovely pigs .  They are really friendly.  Friends of ours brought their children to meet them and they loved feeding them.

 

We're proper farmers now!

We've become proper farmers now and the purchase of the new tractor and drum mower means that we can finally keep on top of the long grass. All we need now is some twine to tie up our trousers and we will be official!  Despite our continual trawl of the internet for something suitable we managed to buy the tractor locally, although the mower meant a scenic trip into the beautiful Yorkshire countryside.  The chickens, ducks and geese can't believe their luck as they hunt out the seeds and insects in the cut grass. It makes for very tasty eggs!

 

 

More new additions

Well, where to start...

 

First of all, we've some more pigs! Yay! 10 saddlebacks which now join the two Hampshire x Welsh. I can tell you that the pair are quite mischievous as the boar is already trying to climb over the gate for food! They are all friendly and are confident enough to enjoy a good scratch behind their ear.

 These two have already discovered that the strengtheners make an excellent scratching post...

Meet the two new additions

This is Beryl who is a Welsh pig.  She is the Mum to the two weaners that we went to fetch yesterday.

She is a feisty old girl and the two offspring that she has produced in her last litter are very confident and are already showing similar traits to their Mum. Normally if a sow only produces two in her litter she is off to be made into sausages but her owner Tom has decided to give her one last try,

They are crossed with a Hampshire, the boar looks like dad and the gilt is similar to Mum. This is a picture of dad Gerald.

Once we had got the weaners into the trailer they quickly snuggled down into the straw and went to sleep.