Backyard Aquaponics
A place to discuss aquaponics

How big is this little piggy going to get?

I'm pretty sure pigs dont do temperature regulation very well because we "managed" some bit out of them ... perhaps something to do with the hypothalamus springs to mind... anyway, they can plod along all day but 500m was the most I ever saw super fit Zander run before needing to cool down for a bit. A bucket of water thrown over him saw him right back into chasing stuff around within minutes

Pigs enjoy large sheets of plastic to thrash around, and think being squirted with hoses is pretty much as fun as the world gets.

And sunburn is a bit of a factor for the pink ones.

He's beautiful.

I asked the lovely mrs Bullwinkle if she had any words of wisdom to pass along...

Mrs Bullwinkle :-

Take as many pictures as you can when they are little because they grow up in within a few minutes.

Enjoy every squealing moment

Make sure you take a shower with him.

Make sure you take a bath with him, that's even funnier (she hasn't seen the photo yet)

Let him push you down a hill, because pigs think that's really funny (pigs really enjoy slapstick)

Pigs love soccer

And don't be afraid of the diseases you may potentially contract when he kisses you full on the mouth, as he inevitably will.

And don't forget the sunscreen.

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I would add...

it's not possible to get shopping past a pig so dont even try

get used to the idea of one last muddy kiss as you're leaving for somewhere where you really want to be clean

It can never be warm enough for a pig in winter

forget being able to lie in front of the fire without a pig lying on top of you

its really worth trying to train him at least to stand still for a second. Vet time will be much easier if you do. He'll know there's an injection coming, but he'll also know there's food coming, and he'll give in to food every time. (this probably isnt as important with a miniature, but we ended up with 250kg of friendly, but uncooperative juggernaut on the day we needed a vet, which ended with 6 people holding him sandwiched between his couch and a wall, and a needle being broken off in his shoulder.

But...

I have pig envy!

Sorry if any of this sounds negative. It's 100% good times!

We miss having a pig around so much.

Thankyou to you and Mrs Bullwinkle for the helpful hints. I have learned much already and as well as taking lots of photos I need to take notes, but my hands are so full and I fell into bed last night when I put him to bed, just like when the kids were little. At least he sleeps through the night, time to get him up. Bye for now.

hahaha so glad to hear that!
He is soon to be more famous than "babe"
Lucky boy to be welcomed into your home.

Brad and Joker getting to know each other through the chicken wire!
Brad wanted so desperately to get with anything that was around his own size, think he was missing his siblings. He loves the other animals and the chickens started to cluck and the roosters chorused, it was hilarious.
Hir first car ride in the new harness, mmm not so easy.
Joker babysitting Brad this morning. He is far more settled around us and not so skittish,
He squeaks when he is happy- like running on the front lawn as Bonnie goes after a stick thrown for her. He doesn't mind the harness, loves a scratch and wags his tail.
Far less mess to clean up this morning as I didn't give him a food bowl overnight.
Does anyone have suggestions for toys, and what sort of treats should I have on hand to encourage hime to come when I call, do they like cherry tomatoes? We have lots of them!

This is a picture of Tiddles, Brads mum, not too big and his dads name is Lucky (Lucky Landrace, his mum stomped on him when he was littles and now he has a big scar. So Lucky to be alive))

"Does anyone have suggestions for toys, and what sort of treats should I have on hand to encourage him to come when I call, do they like cherry tomatoes? We have lots of them"


"Include tomatoes in your pig's diet in moderation only. The high acidity of tomatoes may cause urinary tract infections if given in large amounts"

Yes they like tomatoes but green ones are toxic to pigs from what i have read, miss piggy loves almost any fruit, especially apples, strawberries and banana's. I give her goodo's as treats as well (alot easier to fit in pocket n cheaper)


________________
I was once young and stupid, i'm not so young now

Now this is definately a face that only a mother could love
He really hasn't got the idea that pigs just love water.

Pigs like food for treats. All of it

Peanuts and carrots carry well in a pocket.

Our pig enjoyed a ball (we used a soccer ball, but a cannon or bowling ball might be good),

A whole really big pumpkin (the only thing he didnt eat all of in one sitting)

a tarp or sheet of plastic was always a fun thing to grab and share around. I think it made a nice sound (as in 1year old people with gift wrapping).

4 x 2 litre soft drink bottles tied together with rope (I have no idea why)

hidden food (peanuts) around the pen

anything clean hanging on a clothes line.

Everything else of value (chess sets books)

other animals chickens etc were always his friends because he was such a good digger. (watch out for horses. Pigs dont quite understand how to approach a horse and tend to barge into the friendship (think Rodney Dangerfield meets the queen)

Aww! Cute little piggy,Faye. I read the bubble above Jokers head each time he has looked longingly at Brad." Ears not hard,not smoked and way too small. Must wait a few more months" 'SLURP'

Hehehe, thats funn Seamonkey. Brad has been playing chasey in he garden this afternoon with our two dogs and chickens and when I put his pink floral sheet in the corner of the family room, he went to bed aaah, he must be exhausted. Now that is cute.

How cute is that! Does Brad sleep on a cushion or just on a blanket. I envision him on a tiny weeny princess bed(prince bed) with a mosquito net all around and lovely pink cushions surrounding. Spoilt rotten,I imagine. Must pop over to BYAP and check out the menagerie

Umm not quite Sue, he spent his first night in the ensuite and the last two nights in the toilet I think he might get to stay in the family room tonight, the children are complaining, though they do love him too.

I'd put the kids in the ensuite and the dunny and put Brad in the kids room. Sleeping arrangements sorted!!

Funnily enough when Daniel came home, very late at night,he found Brad asleep behind the family room curtains, but when he went to the toilet Brad must have followed him and was this morning found sleeping on a pile of dirty washing in the laundry, which may have resembled a pig sty to him lol!
I am sure that I heard Brad squeal with delight when Joker gave him a belly rub.

Joker squealed with delight after having a nibble of pork belly....