more on the confusing nature of hog husbandry

[dragonlady7]

After morning chores this morning BIL came in and said "well, either [young sow] Merlot is in heat or in labor and I can't tell which," and Farmsister said "well if it's the latter we'll know soon enough".
But the level of care hogs need during / immediately following birth is mostly "leave them alone", so we'll check in but mostly let that be.

(This is why we don't raise sheep, because lambing is waaaaaaay more involved.)

I'm like... how can... you not... tell but honestly have you ever really looked at a pig? there is really no way of knowing how many pigs she is. which is the most unsettling perspective i can think of adopting on that concept but it's the truth.

also all bets are off because of the extradimensional Piglet Portal on that hillside of late, so.

Comments

[toujours_nigel]

That is such a fabulous way of putting it. *g*

[krait]

I read all of James Herriot's books as a kid, and definitely got the impression that sheep don't seem to know how to go about having babies any more successfully than they go about tasks like "not falling off cliffs" or "not eating nails." So I can see why your sister might be happiest sticking with pigs! :D

But sheep are tasty, so I'd be tempted anyway.

[dragonlady7]

I want sheep, for meat and wool, but I'd have to be in charge of caring for them, and I'm not here full-time, and you can't "pause" livestock, so. Sigh!
Maybe when I retire, or something...
or I'll just have to kiss up to some shepherds to get what I want, instead, because honestly I don't think I ever want to pull a lamb out of a ewe's birth canal and pummel it into breathing...

[krait]

Yes, I think befriending a shepherd is the best solution all round. :D

I'll just put a sign out in my yard: Will Trade Gyros For Lamb!