“Hi”, it’s P.J. again and I’m going to tell you about our piglets, but first, here are some facts about American Guinea Hogs (AGH). They came from the United Kingdom and Africa. Their weight is: 150 – 300 pounds, height: 22 – 27 inches, 46 – 56 inches in length. Their lifespan is 15 – 20 years. Usually slaughtering takes place at 6 months for adults. The AGH is usually docile and nonaggressive. A tarp is a good shelter along with a wooden house. They need straw to bed down in. Electric wire runs around their space because they are curious and it trains them not to escape. The electric fence is on the outside, just in case the wire doesn’t stop them. Sue, our pregnant sow needs 6 – 7 gallons of water each day and we feed her twice a day.
We were on our way home from co-op when mom got a text from Nana that . . THE PIGLETS WERE BORN!!!!!! a day early. Abby, Mom, and I raced down the hill and Nana said to be quiet. There were 5 total (two girls and 3 boys). Each of them was black and wrinkled. They were the size of a soda can that had legs. I was surprised that they were running around and climbing over each other. The next day Sue was very hungry and at breakfast and dinner we gave her extra portions along with grass. We had to put iodine on the piglets umbilical cords. A good way to see them, is to climb my dog’s fence (Boaz andRuth) because I can look in their nursery.
The piglets talk in grunts and snorts and are very fast and playful. They are always near their mother and every now and then she rolls over on her side and they start nursing. She is very careful not to hurt them. They climb on one another and are never in one place for long unless they are sleeping. At night we turn on the heat lamp so they have enough warmth. They have grown each day and are now the size of a one liter soda bottle. They love to eat and nibble at Sue’s food. Nana is introducing them to grain that she wets to make it easier to chew. They like it more every day. Raising piglets is an exciting learning experience.
Mint 2 Bee 