Michigan

[Totalcolour]

Thank you everyone for your condolences. dm - you are right. We know it is a part of farming but it is still hard to lose them. Especially the pet ones, which just says don't make pets of them. I have a few that aren't pets but the majority are. I find it less eventful and less stressful on them by being able to just walk up to them. Thanks

I totally agree. We have goats, and they are so much easier to work with if they are handled a lot. I even take them for walks on a leash sometimes, then let them browse. Hopefully, by the time the eldest is ready for birthing (any time now), she won't mind me helping if she's in trouble.

And, no matter how many you have, you still feel the loss.

 

[M.sue]

I know nothing about the swine except that they can have a temper. A friend of mine had a small flock along with several horses, ones she owned, a couple relatives horses and ones that she boarded. She allowed them to free range and yes, they did mingle into the paddocks and side pastures where the horses were and there never seemed to be a problem I know of that way. The problem she had was when they were out they would get into the barn where there was a lot of traffic or activity at times.....horses, owners, kids of owners, friends they'd bring along. It seemed that no matter what a chicken or two always ended up in the barn when there was a lot going on. Kids lured them or they wandered in I don't know, anyway she did loose a few due to being stepped on. I'm assuming this all happened due to too much activity all at once, chicken getting scared or startled, horse being startled or moving quick....can't really say except that she did not like her chickens in the barn.

 

[teeville5]

DH told me about a guy whose dad raised pigs and chickens. Could never figure out why the chickens kept disappearing until one day he saw a pig reach through the fencing and bite down on a chicken that had got too close to the pen. Pig was getting itself some free chicken dinners.

 

[NovaAman]

Ok... Lets hope the problem with the IRS and H&R block is fixed. My returns have not been rejected again. YET...

OH PLEASE OH PLEASE!

I checked on Leila and the babies. They are all still alive. The last little egg part fell off the silkie chick. YEAH! Tomorrow I am going to put up the screen to keep the other chickens out of Skeeters area too. Should have hatching start Saturday... Should.. doesn't mean will...

 

[RBahmer]

DH told me about a guy whose dad raised pigs and chickens. Could never figure out why the chickens kept disappearing until one day he saw a pig reach through the fencing and bite down on a chicken that had got too close to the pen. Pig was getting itself some free chicken dinners.

That's what I was going to say. Pigs eat chickens. When we had pigs and the chickens free ranged the pigs would eat them if they caught them.

 

[RBahmer]

I totally agree. We have goats, and they are so much easier to work with if they are handled a lot. I even take them for walks on a leash sometimes, then let them browse. Hopefully, by the time the eldest is ready for birthing (any time now), she won't mind me helping if she's in trouble.

And, no matter how many you have, you still feel the loss.

Thank you Totalcolour. I had some ewes one time that were so wild, when I penned them up in the paddock to worm and vaccinate them they would totally go freaky nuts. They not only jumped over our heads they would try to jump the 6 foot fence and slam into it. I got rid of all the wild ones and now have totally calm ones. I have a couple that is so not afraid of anything they would turn and attack my herd dog. Herd dog is a Border Collie. Dog is no good for herding anymore! She goes out there and stands behind me so they will hit me instead of her LOL.

 

[M.sue]

I did not know that a pig would eat a live chicken!

That is probably why my uncle who raised pigs never had any and left the chicken raising to my grandfather.

Question: If a chicken has a bald spot from an old wound will the feathers eventually grow back in?

 

[Opa]

Quote:
As Red Green would say "if the women don't find you handsome they better find you handy"

I did not know that a pig would eat a live chicken!

That is probably why my uncle who raised pigs never had any and left the chicken raising to my grandfather.

Question: If a chicken has a bald spot from an old wound will the feathers eventually grow back in?

If the area is scar tissue you might need to consider a toupee.


If the chickens are able to get into the pen with the hogs they will get eaten. In fact hogs would eat you given the chance.

 

[Olive Hill]

Um, what does swine do on the other hand? We will be getting some in the spring, not sure how many my dad want to get, a few? So, I would like to know what swine do on the other hand....

Everyone hit the nail on the head.

DH told me about a guy whose dad raised pigs and chickens. Could never figure out why the chickens kept disappearing until one day he saw a pig reach through the fencing and bite down on a chicken that had got too close to the pen. Pig was getting itself some free chicken dinners.

Yep.

That's what I was going to say. Pigs eat chickens. When we had pigs and the chickens free ranged the pigs would eat them if they caught them.

Yep.

As Red Green would say "if the women don't find you handsome they better find you handy"


If the area is scar tissue you might need to consider a toupee.


If the chickens are able to get into the pen with the hogs they will get eaten. In fact hogs would eat you given the chance.

And Yep.

Pigs love chicken dinner. Not all will do it, but they do and once they learn they don't unlearn. Had one boar that LOVED fresh chicken. And the chickens are so dumb they make it easy for 'em. He'd just stand there with his mouth open and wait for the chicken to stick a body part in.

Pigs are fabulous animals, but they're smart, STRONG and opportunist eaters. They're like big dogs, but you have to understand their potential and respect what they are capable of. The old saying is that a pig can finish a grown man, bones and all in less than three days. And I don't doubt it. You don't want to fall down in the pig pen. They'll eat anything that doesn't put up a fight they can't win. That's why I always stress to new people that they must demand respect from day one. Yes, it's cute to feed your piglet treats from your hand, not so cute when that piglet weighs 300 lbs and bites your hand off because you never taught it that hands are off limits.

 

[Bianca67]

Question - my DH is working on the inside of the coop, can he use 2 x 4's for the roosts?