Farm Babies!

Little muddy piggies taking a nap!

Okay, when I see five little piggies lying in a row I can't help but think of that classic nursery rhyme "This little piggy went to market".  Come on, admit it, you just recited it in you head didn't you? By the way, little piggies actually do go "Wee, Wee, Wee" as they run around frantically on their tiny little legs, and boy are they fast!  I must say that little baby piggies are some of the most amusing and cutest baby animals we have on the farm.

Baby chicks under the heat lamp

We have also added 28 baby chicks to the farm! Besides our Buff Orpingtons we now have Red Hampshires, Silver Laced Wyandottes, Black Australorps, and last but not least some Leghorns.  Yup, Leghorns, as in Foghorn Leghorn. I can almost hear that wise cracking rooster, " Now what, I say now what's that skinny old hen doin up on the barn".  It's amusing what come back to you from your childhood isn't it.

I love you mom!

Our Nubian kids are now 7 weeks and 6 weeks old and they are so much fun to watch and play with. They are more curious than a cat and smarter than a dog, which makes for a difficult photo shoot when you are by yourself! In the picture above our little buck gives his momma some love.  The little girl below loves to play "king of the mountain", and since she is so much like her momma (pushy) she usually wins!

Sweet little doe baby

Life is so cool and if you take the time to really experience God's awesome creations you will be blessed.  Martin Buber, a German Jewish biblical translator, philosopher, and interpreter once said, "An animal's eyes have the power to speak a great language".  I believe him.

Blessings,

Michelle

Pigs & Pecans

So it has come to this. How can I water my pigs without them thinking I am creating their own personal swimming pool? Every day it seems I am dumping out their water trough because they have decided they prefer to take a swim rather than drink and their water source soon resembles a mud bath. Did I mention that pigs are not too fond of cleanliness? At least Petunia and Porky aren't.  I found this rather clever idea at backyardranch.com . Using a common 55 gallon plastic drum and a pressure water I can create a swim free homemade hog watering system! Awesome!

Now if I can keep them from trying to push out of the pen to get to my pecans! They are like little bulldozers. I never knew how strong hogs could be! My hogs are actually a heritage breed called the American Guinea Hog.  They once were the staple on the small American farm but they are now classified as Critical on the Conservation Priority List.

As pigs go Porky and Petunia won't get too big (only about 200-250lbs) but they have an appetite that you would not believe! Which brings me back to my pecans. I have about 400 pounds I need to crack and I am seriously considering a sheller. What do you think? :)