3 months, 3 weeks, 3 days ?

[416bigbore]

This next pic will show a little more of how I had to somewhat insulate the inside of that metal shed in the corner so I could hold the heat for the babies. The metal roof also had to be insulated so it wouldn't condensate and start dripping water onto  everyone.  I even had to go and find good wheat straw to also help with keeping the ground insulated in that little corner.

That shed wasn't even big enough for her little alone to think of ten little ones running around under her feet for when she was ready to lay down. Now I know where they the phrase, squeal like a pig  originated from! LOL  Lucky was very gentle for when she would go back into the shed for feeding time. She would first root around in the straw a little pushing her babies away and making a little pocket to slowly lay down into and then shift onto her side so her babies could eat. I would have never guessed she was so gentle in how she did that every time. If she happen to pinch one a little, it would start squealing and she would shift around and till it quit.

It was obvious this wasn't her first time around the block, I am sure she would have liked a little more room, but at least it was warm enough and no one was shivering!

cell phone dump 020.jpg

• 416bigbore
• Jan 16, 2017

 

[atomicsmoke]

D@mn man, you want to turn us vegetarians with cute little piggies pictures?

 

[416bigbore]

This next pic was on January 27 and we had a break  from a cold spell  and it was 40F that day. I went to open the shed door to let mommy out to eat and do her thing and all her babies decide to follow mommy outside. There was no stopping ten little piggies all at once ! LOL 

Just to give everyone a little idea as to  how resilient those little piglets are, they were only 16 days old! I would have never believed that would have even been possible for them to be outside like that, only after 16 days from birth. Crazy!

cell phone dump 018.jpg

• 416bigbore
• Jan 16, 2017

 

[416bigbore]

These next two pics I believe the babies were in the 3-4 week range. Once they had the taste of being outside with mommy and if it wasn't extremely cold they were all right behind her when the door opened. Then to get them all together for a group picture was impossible also, they scattered everywhere!

I had that shed packed with wheat straw just trying to retain all the heat I could, winter wasn't over yet! I also couldn't leave the shed door open all the time, so From the time the babies were born and till they were weaned 6-8 week range. I was out there every 3-4 hours around the clock to let Lucky out for food and fresh water. I certainly didn't plan on that part of the babysitting job, but what do you do it had to be done.

cell phone dump 016.jpg

• 416bigbore
• Jan 16, 2017

cell phone dump 017.jpg

• 416bigbore
• Jan 16, 2017

 

[pc farmer]

I am loving the pics.

We have a beef farm in PA. The cows and calves don't have a barn to go in.

They shelter in the brush in the pasture.

I have had calves born in very cold weather and deep snow. They do very well. Mother's know how to take care of their young.

I will be in the pig business this year.

 

[atomicsmoke]

I am loving the pics.

We have a beef farm in PA. The cows and calves don't have a barn to go in.

They shelter in the brush in the pasture.

I have had calves born in very cold weather and deep snow. They do very well. Mother's know how to take care of their young.

I will be in the pig business this year.

Wow. I didn't know cows are so hardy.

 

[atomicsmoke]

These next two pics I believe the babies were in the 3-4 week range. Once they had the taste of being outside with mommy and if it wasn't extremely cold they were all right behind her when the door opened. Then to get them all together for a group picture was impossible also, they scattered everywhere!

I had that shed packed with wheat straw just trying to retain all the heat I could, winter wasn't over yet! I also couldn't leave the shed door open all the time, so From the time the babies were born and till they were weaned 6-8 week range. I was out there every 3-4 hours around the clock to let Lucky out for food and fresh water. I certainly didn't plan on that part of the babysitting job, but what do you do it had to be done.

cell phone dump 016.jpg

• 416bigbore
• Jan 16, 2017

cell phone dump 017.jpg

• 416bigbore
• Jan 16, 2017

They look happy.

 

[416bigbore]

Now for the Happy Ending everyone has waited for, this last pic of the 6 remaining piglets I believe were in the 7-8 week range. Lucky ( Mommy Pig ) is still alive and doing fine to this day, she is in the process of being breed for another batch of babies to be born this spring sometime.  

I couldn't rightfully do Lucky in after all she been through and managed to keep all 10 of her babies alive. People who raise pigs tell me that is unheard of, always one or two in a litter that size don't make it.

I posted Lucky on a local website for giveaway to a good home for someone looking to start raising their own Hogs. Hog number in my area have been down for years because of no money to be made in raising them. I ended up with three for myself to start raising more, and I traded a  boar for a boar from another bloodline. Then the last ones were traded to people who wanted to start raising their own hogs with the understanding I would get one in return for when they were up in running.

I thought I done a pretty good job in trying to help others get started and in return making sure I was able to keep myself in fresh Pork for years to come. I learned a lot by this little unexpected experience, and at a 10:1 return for my unplanned investment, how can you go wrong.

old cell phone pic dump 007.jpg

• 416bigbore
• Jan 16, 2017

 

[pc farmer]

Wow. I didn't know cows are so hardy.

They are just like us. They grow up in the weather from young. But you can't take a barn animal and expect them to survive the winter. They need to be exposed to the weather to grow longer hair and have a fat layer to stay warm.


It's truly amazing how the moms protect they're calves in the cold. I could tell many stories.

 

[416bigbore]

All most forgot !  This is a pic of one of the Feral kittens that was born that same spring also. Her name to is Lucky because she had 3 sibling that all disappeared in a single night. My guess is the local Coyotes or owl got to them, so she hangs around pretty close. She looks Happy also ! LOL

Kitty 002.jpg

• 416bigbore
• Jan 16, 2017

 

[416bigbore]

I am loving the pics.

We have a beef farm in PA. The cows and calves don't have a barn to go in.

They shelter in the brush in the pasture.

I have had calves born in very cold weather and deep snow. They do very well. Mother's know how to take care of their young.

I will be in the pig business this year.

I have seen this very same thing your talking about with cattle, over in the western part of ND. They keep cattle out on the range or close by the ranch, but no barns or real shelter to get in out of the elements and do just fine. I truly think the good quality of feed has a lot to do with them being a little more resilient, nursing babies take a lot out of the mother.  

 

[daveomak]

 

[chef jimmyj]

Now that was a great story!!! Totally a turning Lemons into Lemonade scenario! Thanks for posting...JJ

 

[tardissmoker]

Now for the Happy Ending everyone has waited for, this last pic of the 6 remaining piglets I believe were in the 7-8 week range. Lucky ( Mommy Pig ) is still alive and doing fine to this day, she is in the process of being breed for another batch of babies to be born this spring sometime.  

I couldn't rightfully do Lucky in after all she been through and managed to keep all 10 of her babies alive. People who raise pigs tell me that is unheard of, always one or two in a litter that size don't make it.

I posted Lucky on a local website for giveaway to a good home for someone looking to start raising their own Hogs. Hog number in my area have been down for years because of no money to be made in raising them. I ended up with three for myself to start raising more, and I traded a  boar for a boar from another bloodline. Then the last ones were traded to people who wanted to start raising their own hogs with the understanding I would get one in return for when they were up in running.

I thought I done a pretty good job in trying to help others get started and in return making sure I was able to keep myself in fresh Pork for years to come. I learned a lot by this little unexpected experience, and at a 10:1 return for my unplanned investment, how can you go wrong.

Points for being morally and ethically correct. [emoji]128077[/emoji]

Bruce

 

[tardissmoker]

Coincidentally, 3 hrs., 3 days, 3 weeks, 3 months, 3 years is what it takes to kick nicotine cold turkey. Bone grafts have a 50% chance of failure if you don't quit nicotine. That means no patch, no gum, no spray. If you are having major bone surgery, new knee, hip, back fusion, think about it and your family seriously. After more than 50 years on the dreaded cig., it's possible. Hard, excruciating, yes but worth it.

Sorry for the rant and hijack.

Bruce

 

[416bigbore]

Coincidentally, 3 hrs., 3 days, 3 weeks, 3 months, 3 years is what it takes to kick nicotine cold turkey. Bone grafts have a 50% chance of failure if you don't quit nicotine. That means no patch, no gum, no spray. If you are having major bone surgery, new knee, hip, back fusion, think about it and your family seriously. After more than 50 years on the dreaded cig., it's possible. Hard, excruciating, yes but worth it.

Sorry for the rant and hijack.

Bruce

It's all good Bruce, I have a dear friend in his early 60's who suffered terrible because of the very same thing you are referring to. This poor guy could not quit smoking and still smokes after everything he has been through, so yeah the addition some have for nicotine is powerful!

He was on his third back operating because of the screws coming loose that were anchored into his spine which held the metal plates in place. It was so bad, they had to open him up from the front and back, both at the same time to fix the loose screws. Next time for him it's a wheelchair, he knows this and continues to smoke! I don't get it either, it's sad for his family as well.

Thanks for the Points for being morally and ethically correct !   It's a nice recognition, but not something I intentionally practice with the expectations of always receiving something in return. I feel I have lived a very Blessed life because of my willingness to help others all my life, this story here is only a small part of the adventurous life I have lived for helping others. 

My unconsciousness actions of helping others, animals included, has alway been a tenfold end scenario for me in some crazy way or another. The glass is always half full, I find that to be an awesome way to live for me.

My dog Fritz aka Ruffus, is a rescue animal I guess this is how people would label him. He was a very unhappy 5 year old German Shepherd when I got him. This story to has a happy ending after my first receiving two dog bites from him within the first two days of my having him. This is another one of those Crazy stories! LOL  Here is a pic of him on day one when I got him and the second pic is day five and two dog bites later ! CRAZY STORY !

Fritz Day 1.jpg

• 416bigbore
• Jan 17, 2017

View media item 508948

 

[416bigbore]

 
Now that was a great story!!! Totally a turning Lemons into Lemonade scenario! Thanks for posting...JJ

I like to look at it more along the lines of Pork into Bacon ! 

 

[HalfSmoked]

Life is amazing isn't it!!! Great story great post. 

for a job

Warren

 

[mowin]

416, what a great story. Thumbs Up. You did good helping lucky remain lucky, as well as keeping those 10 piggies warm and safe.

Brings back lots of memories of when i visited my uncles farms. I was very young, but remember as a little squirt trying to hold on to a week old piglet. Lol. There fast.

:points: for telling a great story.

 

[416bigbore]

416, what a great story.

. You did good helping lucky remain lucky, as well as keeping those 10 piggies warm and safe.

Brings back lots of memories of when i visited my uncles farms. I was very young, but remember as a little squirt trying to hold on to a week old piglet. Lol. There fast.

for telling a great story.

 Thanks for the Thumbs -up and points!  I was just trying to have a little fun and spark up some SMF member participation all in one. I grew up enjoying the fun and excitement of fishing and hunting, raising and processing animals etc. This has always been a way of life for me since day one and I have always been eager to learn and try new thing along the way.

I can't say enough good about this SMF and it's members who are willing to jump in and help a newbie like myself if someone spots a possible issue with safety or a possible issue in something I was doing wrong and needed a little help in the right direction?

IMO The sometimes overwhelming amount of information posted here, with all knowledgeable and experienced members who are more than willing to  jump in and help at anytime. I can't understand why anyone would not want to be a part of this Great online SMF family?