Down on the farm...

[Capt Lightning]

Lambing is complete and the new pigs have arrived.....

Mrs. Lightning and lamb "4B". Pedigree Ryeland sheep.


Two Black Berkshire piglets - 9 weeks old. They're a very old traditional breed. By November they will weigh about 200 lbs. each.



Don't get too sentimental !

Right, I'm off for a short break to visit some castles.

 

[Butterfly]

That lamb is super cute. Nice piggies, too.

 

[hollydolly]

Ooohhh sublime....I know it's hard work down on the farm, but you're so lucky...

Which castles are you off to visit?

 

[applecruncher]

Lamb is adorable but can't see photo of pigs.

 

[-Oy-]

Awwwwww... Likkle Lambsy

 

[applecruncher]

Okay, now I see the pigs.

I also remember a few years ago you posted pics of beautiful spotted piggies.

 

[Falcon]

Poor piggies! Makes me sorry I love ham, bacon, sausage etc.

 

[oldman]

Does the lamb’s wool bring a good price? If the pigs were let to grow, at what weight would they top off?

Do you breed your own lambs and pigs?

Here in the U.S., Alpacas have become very popular. I bought a pair of Alpaca socks at the Farm Show last winter. I thought that they would be really itchy, but they weren’t bad at all.

 

[SeaBreeze]

Lovely photos Capt.! I love the one of your wife and the baby lamb, and your pigs are so beautiful as you've shown us in past photos. You and your wife take good care and great pride in your farm animals, and it shows!

 

[Capt Lightning]

It's a bit of a dilemma rearing livestock. The cute little lambs that we see every day on the local farms will end up on the butchery counter of Morrisons supermarket. (the local abattoir exclusively supplies Morrisons). However, we eat meat and so we feel a responsibility to treat animals as well as we can. Over the lambing period, our friends who own the farm were up every 3 hours day and night, and encountered all sorts of problems) . Many's a morning I've got up an walked through the rain to feed the pigs and and clean out their sty - before going home for my breakfast. But that's all part or the fun. I've heard many people say that they want to keep livestock - they've got NO idea what's involved - or just how much it costs.

Oldman. No, we don't breed out own pigs. A local farmer specialises in this rare breed. Being a traditional breed, it's slower growing and so not generally kept for commercial purposes. It would probably grow to about 300 lbs, but for pork, 200 lbs is about right. Like many breeds, if it wasn't for enthusiasts and specialist breeders, the breed might die out. Our friends, breed their own pedigree sheep. Like the pigs, they are smaller and not kept commerically. The wool does not have a great value, and generally ends up as insulation.