Pigs are smart. Helen is trying to tell you something. At minimum, she needs your attention. Pigs are also social, & surprisingly enjoy people's attention. Jump the wire in a place where she is by herself. Pet her, talk to her, & see if she goes to where her "problem" is. My Mother stayed w/her aunt one summer, & befriended one of several pigs. Next summer, she visited her aunt, & went out to see the pigs. That special pig saw her from the other side of the pen. It ran so hard it busted the wood fence to say hello to my Mother. Pet the pig...
Yes me too! Those little piglets look good nuff to eat! I would like to try suckling pig sometime. I heard the younger the better! (10-20 days), so soft and tender their meat is!
@@liviumititelu7397 Hey man, so I've totally had a change in heart. I was wrong to be hating on pigs in the first place. I have said some of the cruelest meanest things about pigs n piglets... I've reevaluated my stance.... They do not deserve a life of cruelty.... You are correct, they should be let to enjoy what precious little time they have on Earth. There is a growing body of evidence that scientificly shows they are in fact sentient animals.... All I'm saying is that we could possibly do away with mistreating them and then humanly slaughter them, as in they truly would feel no pain when butchering time comes...
Just want to say again how much I appreciate you sharing your experiences. The mistakes are the most important learning tools and while it's hard to admit to them sometimes, it's really helpful to know about them. Thank you again from Northern New York state!
Watching you and seeing your set up makes me want to start my pig project ASAP. Going to start feeder to finish and the goal is to end up doing farrow to finish with multiple sows.
I’ve been watching most of your videos, love to see a hard working farmer like you. Did that a long time ago but had to stop to raise my own family, now retired and fixing to do what you’re doing again trying to get some tips from you. Joey Rivera Kentucky usa
I loved it when you let the camera roll while you’re starting your day in the farm ,I feel that I’m with you that morning... I loved it so much so inspiring....Yes I’m watching Jordan Green as well. Good luck Chuck God Bless in all you do..
I have both Duroc and Berkies, the Berkie sows can be very very temperamental when handling the piglets as opposed to my Duroc sows who with a little food become easily preoccupied and whilst attentive to my actions they seem less concerned, just added a Landy in their so a new experience to be had very soon as she's ready to farrow. Pigs are definitely the most interesting animal I've had to experience.
You should watch how A Few Acres Farm load their pigs. They start feeding them in the trailer a week before they ship them so they are used to going in.
@@SkashoonAnother trick for when that hasn't been done, or that can help regardless - animals tend to sense when something's up, and may be more balky and shy at every shadow and crack and change in elevation etc. when stressed- is to cover the approach to and through the entrance into any trailer or pen or etc. with shaken out hay, straw or other. Preferably any type of bedding they're used to. Also, attract them in with treats can also help. Place a tiny amount in a pile or 2 leading up to the door, then the next bit far enough in for you to get door closed/pushing em in if need be &/or the "mother load" ( ok, not enough to make em sick !) the furthest into the trailer. All that or have a small enough corral with very sturdy walls and gates and be able to back right up to the gateway pretty tight and, using gates and trailer doors strategically ( have gate that swing open into the trailer - not far - on one side, and trailer door open into pen/blocking exit and helping create the funnel on other, and if you're in doubt as to success otherwise, use trailer door to push and block and slam shut quick, as soon as the pass it enough. Watch for legs tho ! And don't do this until last resort (or you got a wild one/ know you'll have to and your 1st shot is best) if you want to avoid getting em riled up and not the other ways won't work either. All this is for to whomever it helps/doesn't already know, not meaning to preach to the choir or be a know it all !! I just have an unusual amount of experience loading cattle of all ages, sizes, experiences, temperaments etc. , for the average dairy farm kid. Long story.
@@ajb.822 I appreciate your comment. The problem was that it was the customer’s trailer. They drove 4.5 hours to get here. Since then I’ve quit the pig business. Too much for one old man to keep up.
About a week before your ready to load your pigs. Take a 30 gallon trash can and fill with feed along with a couple of pig pans and small water trough place in the trailer and feed the pigs there about 1 week before leaving the pigs will have lost their fear of loading in the trailer, you may need to get 1 or 2 pig boards to help sort the ones you want from the ones you don't. I once knew a man who would occasionally load his pigs up in the trailer and take them for a ride. They seemed to enjoy that too !!
Oops...on another note. Very glad to hear you're keeping one of the bottle babies for breeding. Cant wait to see her progress and personality since shes been hand raised.
I've been doing my research I'm so glad found your video.i have a baby pig and I wonder what kind or what is the name of the milk I should use . please I don't want to lose my baby pig it's getting I'll.
Don't have any experience with the large black breed. If he is good quality, grows out nicely, has good feed conversion and all the qualities you'd like in a piglet, then he should do fine.
I, too was considering a Large Black boar due to their pasturing tendencies but haven’t been able to locate any near where I live in Western Tennessee. Coming up on my first year raising pigs, I am still very much a novice, but I’m making every effort to make good decisions from now on. I rushed into getting pigs, full of excitement and enthusiasm, only to learn that AGH & AGH/KuneKune mixes take a long time to grow out. I based my decision on taste but failed to consider other important facts. I can’t afford much, but I like what I’ve read about Berkshires, Durocs and Yorkshires, and Large Blacks. Maybe Tamworth, too. But I also like Poland China, Landrace and Gloucestershire (sp?) Old Spots. Too many things to consider, but so much of it depends on availability in my area.
At our old home place we had about 1/4 mile of marginal ditch dump. MY dad would plant 1 to 2 acres roasting ear corn 🌽 patch and after we had put up our corn for household use, he would put up an electric fence and place a feeder steer or two along with 6 to 10 small feeder pigs to glean the corn 🌽 patch late summer and fall. It was called hogging off good days
I am raising set of Berkshires and i was told to feed them 6 lbs feed a day. but then i have other farmers say i am starving them do you have any info on it. I have googled it it says 6lbs. thanks for your time.
If you are feeding them out to process then I’d put them on free choice (supplied with feed all the time in a bulk feeder). If they are breeding stock, then you are just fine at 6.
I’ve done a couple of videos in fencing and setting it a pig pasture. See if one of these is helpful. ua-cam.com/video/aORzJB5gp0A/v-deo.html ua-cam.com/video/GLxHDf4eLYM/v-deo.html
@@mr.skeptical3071And then keep very close eye ( daily) on any digging going on. A neighbor had several pigs in a bay of a loafing shed with panels across the open side, and they'd dig under it ( and the end wall in a spot). He'd fill the holes with big rocks from around the farm. I'm sure it helps if they're not bored, so, I'd bet it would help if you at least made a semi-mobile pen with the panels and rotated them on pasture that way, if at all possible. I have a few ideas on how to do that, but one more involved one would be building a thing like Ben from the Hollar Homestead made for I think Justin Rhodes, 4 his sheep. Otherwise, a little electric wire is pretty easy and the infrastructure is often fairly/relatively cheap. ( Wire, plastic insulators and posts are fairly often available & very cheap on Craigslist, farm auctions or asking retired dairy farmers, and the fencer would be the main cost).
@@mariadracona I hear some people in some states say they don’t need anything. I don’t know this to be true, would just like to make sure so I don’t get into trouble.
I've been meaning to ask you where you get the rebar stakes with the wing on them? I know that these plastic push in post aren't going to last very long.
We get them at Tractor Supply but the little wings break off really easy. Need to have a little tack weld to help hold them on. I've not looked but it may be cheaper to buy a length of rebar and cut your own.
@@tillmanfamilyfarm7759It ( the wings) helps ( the rebar post) to resist the tension of the wire being able to make the fence posts lean in, esp. in a long rainy spell/soft ground, or anything else causing it to want to lean/bend over, such as a cow rubbing on it ( they - some- tend to figure out how close they can get without getting zapped and do everything from reaching under for a bite of what's out there, to leaning over to scratching on it. Granted, my experiences were in a more "continuous" type grazing situation (not being frequently moved to fresh ground) and many cows/cattle like to mess w anything and everything, and in a decent sized herd, chances r you'll get a few of those easily bored, energetic types :) .Anyway, yeah, those "wing" things break off or - most often before they're old - bend easily. I just used the best ones on the curves, and did ok using posts without any left on em, on the straight. Obviously, ideally you'd use T posts or wood posts on sharp corners, if you'll be there awhile it's worth it. Or can afford to get enough and can likely cycle back around to the same paddock layout/size & shape, leave em there ( the heavier duty, less mobile, corner posts). Any store that sells farm fencing or electric fencing supplies would have or be able to get em. Also check Craigslist for used ones.
I have watched several of your videos and really enjoy them. We Just subbed and look forward to learning more. We have a channel and a small farm as well. Keep filming and sharing! Thanks!
What was that class or school for the pigs you mentioned by chance? I’m getting ready to start a small pig operation here in Somerset, KY. Thanks for all the videos especially on pigs, they are very Informative.
Think you could get bottle pigs to drink out of a bucket or bowl like the big dairies do for calves? I've been offered free bottle pigs, but never tried them.
My sow does that as well. Especially when she hears other piglets. Even if there not hers. She is a bit protective of her babies and have to watch her. I assumed it's her mother instinct. Not sure tho
Many years ago we raised hogs farrow to finish. Back then we were selling at 220-240 lbs. notice that you are processing at 330. Is that common for today’s breeds?
I was hoping y’all was closer,I have a small farm,pigs are my favorite,I’m watching your videos now,seems like your electric fencing is a lot more efficient that my 16 ft panels,especially when needing to move them.how far up is the lowest wire,electric,and is there only one strand.i would love to come see your farm but I’m in whitesburg ga.
Does Helen have any other sows in her paddock? I read that sows need to be around others before farrowing to help with socializing. Separated just before farrowing hope this helps!
I had my boar and didn't realize he was only packing 1 nut. The other resticle was up inside him. He produced a litter of six piglets. 4 males and two females. I sold 1 male and 1 female and kept the others. I'll have to check with the guy who purchased the male to see how the young male is doing. I agree with you. I do not like the fact that the mating boar only dropped 1 testicle. You're right, that will pass on genetically. What breed of pigs do you raise? Duroc, Berkshire. I'm not good at telling a breed by looks yet. I was wondering if you raise mixe bred pigs. Meat quality is why I ask this. I'd like to raise a nice quality meat producing pig. I also would prefer pigs that are good natured unlike Helen the grump. Any reommendations? Thanks. 👍🏽🤠 1/30/23
While I'm sure there's tons of others out there with much more, longer & wider experience ( & I have none yet) you may be interested in the Hollar Homestead channel, their experiences with a few different pig breeds they've butchered and ate. They've said that, I think it was, the American Guinea hogs were the tastiest so far, they grow very slowly, and there were pluses to others they've had incl. 2 mangalista's, incl. an intact boar.
So what did you do about grumpy Helen? I don't think I'd like being around a grumpy sow. Did you process her? She's probably only going to get worse since you don't get in the pen with her and it seems she might not want you in her paddock. Full-watch. Thanks
You have a lot of mouths to feed. Lol. We have raised our own pigs for butchering my whole life. Nothing like it but that nose sure makes a remarkable plow. I always say electric fence is a blessing. Lol. They respect it. Thanks for sharing and stay safe! - Tom “Outdoors and Country Living”.
Maybe predators in the wood at night ?… Also, I’m thinking of getting pigs I’m amazed to see such a large animals behaving with only one strand of electrified. is this normal? How are your pigs just well-behaved?
I've never tasted a heritage free range hog. I've heard they taste like beef. Do they get premium price? I must add that your hogs look very tasty LOL!!!
I’m so sorry man that sucks you would think breeders would take more care but it’s a profit based industry unfortunately. breading programs could significantly benefit from genetic testing ect
i had a bunch of pigs do that . i had to walk the property with my 4 dogs and i found a den with around 6 coyotes and the pack . killed them all and filled the hole in the den . pigs stopped after that. night time camera will show u have predators on the property and animals on the farm will be on high alert always and always streesed out . god bless
You should check out homesteading the hard way for a boar. Another hog farmer I follow. I know he's in North Carolina. Maybe yall aint to far away from each other.
@@SheratonParkFarms Good stock is hard to come by. I never planned on getting into breeding, but don't have much choice these days. I just drove 2 1/2 hours to pick up a duroc boar and 2 hampshire gilts, but they are quality and worth the trip!
I’m curious as to why you want to cross bread. As someone that grew up on a farm raising sheep and cattle; I understand hybrid vigor. But there are three ways to go. 1 meat quality, 2 fertility, 3 breed specific. By continuing to randomly mix breeds u don’t see your goal.
“I” not “u”. Berkshire is supposed to be one of the best as far as quality of meat. Poland China among the most prolific, Duroc amongst the largest. You have Hampshire and Yorkshire etc., amongst popular breeds. But your cross breeding lends no desired outcome. So random. Just my humble opinion; but pick a breed and run with it for your main heard. Use a superior pure bread male to bread your many cross bread females for meat production. Focus pure bread for high priced piglets and breading stock for sale. This cross upon cross model has limited marketing. Unless it is structured to creat a better bread, and that takes decades.
Your pigs look very structurally sound. My advise especially if using AI is to pick one breed. Improve on it and use your very best pure bread boar to bread all sows
That narrow chested red and white cross bread pig you bought from the high school girl was sorry. In fact all three of them were much inferior to the pigs you raised with AI from your own cross breading. Not nearly as long, deep sided, or thick across the back. Or hams. Often cross breading achieves this. But I encourage you to buy 6 or 8 Berkshire sows and AI them to a superior Berkshire boar. Keep the best boar out of those litters and buy 10 more Berkshire sows to pair him with. Choose a different Berkshire boat to bread the other 5 sows and keep the best of their female offspring to bread back to him. You could have the best pigs available for market and resale in three years.
All female animals I have get real grumpy when in heat😂I think that’s what Helens problem is...but I could be wrong! Good luck with her, those piglets sure are cute! Just found your channel and really enjoyed it. Are you having issues getting your animals processed?
Yes. We’ve had a tough time getting in to our processor but that seems to be easing up a bit. They have given us dates for all of 2021 and we get pushed to the top of their waiting list occasionally. Afraid we may hit another tough time in the spring. We’ll see. Appreciate y’all watching
@@SheratonParkFarms no I haven't been watching my first time watching but I am a dairy farmer and I have hogs goats chickens you name it i probably got it
Pigs are smart. Helen is trying to tell you something. At minimum, she needs your attention. Pigs are also social, & surprisingly enjoy people's attention. Jump the wire in a place where she is by herself. Pet her, talk to her, & see if she goes to where her "problem" is. My Mother stayed w/her aunt one summer, & befriended one of several pigs. Next summer, she visited her aunt, & went out to see the pigs. That special pig saw her from the other side of the pen. It ran so hard it busted the wood fence to say hello to my Mother. Pet the pig...
thanks for watching!
I love pigs! Especially with eggs and toast.
Terry are especially tasty that way.
Yes me too! Those little piglets look good nuff to eat! I would like to try suckling pig sometime. I heard the younger the better! (10-20 days), so soft and tender their meat is!
Bacon/ham and eggs
@@jeffreymontgomery4091 be Human... we are eating all of them at the end of the day but let them live for at least 7 months
@@liviumititelu7397 Hey man, so I've totally had a change in heart. I was wrong to be hating on pigs in the first place. I have said some of the cruelest meanest things about pigs n piglets... I've reevaluated my stance.... They do not deserve a life of cruelty.... You are correct, they should be let to enjoy what precious little time they have on Earth. There is a growing body of evidence that scientificly shows they are in fact sentient animals.... All I'm saying is that we could possibly do away with mistreating them and then humanly slaughter them, as in they truly would feel no pain when butchering time comes...
My two boars are Hamsel and Griddle
Just want to say again how much I appreciate you sharing your experiences. The mistakes are the most important learning tools and while it's hard to admit to them sometimes, it's really helpful to know about them. Thank you again from Northern New York state!
Thanks. I appreciate that. Some mistakes are tough and some are just plain funny. Got a good laugh out of this one.
Watching you and seeing your set up makes me want to start my pig project ASAP. Going to start feeder to finish and the goal is to end up doing farrow to finish with multiple sows.
I’ve been watching most of your videos, love to see a hard working farmer like you. Did that a long time ago but had to stop to raise my own family, now retired and fixing to do what you’re doing again trying to get some tips from you. Joey Rivera Kentucky usa
Thanks Joey. I have a number of folks that watch for similar reasons. Good luck on getting started again. Keep us posted on how it goes!
I loved it when you let the camera roll while you’re starting your day in the farm ,I feel that I’m with you that morning... I loved it so much so inspiring....Yes I’m watching Jordan Green as well. Good luck Chuck God Bless in all you do..
Chuck u are awesome. Down to earth n real. Love your stuff brother
I appreciate that. Thanks so much for watching.
I have both Duroc and Berkies, the Berkie sows can be very very temperamental when handling the piglets as opposed to my Duroc sows who with a little food become easily preoccupied and whilst attentive to my actions they seem less concerned, just added a Landy in their so a new experience to be had very soon as she's ready to farrow.
Pigs are definitely the most interesting animal I've had to experience.
You should watch how A Few Acres Farm load their pigs. They start feeding them in the trailer a week before they ship them so they are used to going in.
Yep. We watch Pete regularly. Love his channel.
What a great idea. I missed a sale because we couldn’t get the pigs loaded into the buyer’s trailer. I need to build a chute like Jordan Green uses.
@@SkashoonAnother trick for when that hasn't been done, or that can help regardless - animals tend to sense when something's up, and may be more balky and shy at every shadow and crack and change in elevation etc. when stressed- is to cover the approach to and through the entrance into any trailer or pen or etc. with shaken out hay, straw or other. Preferably any type of bedding they're used to. Also, attract them in with treats can also help. Place a tiny amount in a pile or 2 leading up to the door, then the next bit far enough in for you to get door closed/pushing em in if need be &/or the "mother load" ( ok, not enough to make em sick !) the furthest into the trailer. All that or have a small enough corral with very sturdy walls and gates and be able to back right up to the gateway pretty tight and, using gates and trailer doors strategically ( have gate that swing open into the trailer - not far - on one side, and trailer door open into pen/blocking exit and helping create the funnel on other, and if you're in doubt as to success otherwise, use trailer door to push and block and slam shut quick, as soon as the pass it enough. Watch for legs tho ! And don't do this until last resort (or you got a wild one/ know you'll have to and your 1st shot is best) if you want to avoid getting em riled up and not the other ways won't work either. All this is for to whomever it helps/doesn't already know, not meaning to preach to the choir or be a know it all !! I just have an unusual amount of experience loading cattle of all ages, sizes, experiences, temperaments etc. , for the average dairy farm kid. Long story.
@@ajb.822 I appreciate your comment. The problem was that it was the customer’s trailer. They drove 4.5 hours to get here. Since then I’ve quit the pig business. Too much for one old man to keep up.
About a week before your ready to load your pigs. Take a 30 gallon trash can and fill with feed along with a couple of pig pans and small water trough place in the trailer and feed the pigs there about 1 week before leaving the pigs will have lost their fear of loading in the trailer, you may need to get 1 or 2 pig boards to help sort the ones you want from the ones you don't. I once knew a man who would occasionally load his pigs up in the trailer and take them for a ride. They seemed to enjoy that too !!
aww those look like some happy pigs!
Oops...on another note. Very glad to hear you're keeping one of the bottle babies for breeding. Cant wait to see her progress and personality since shes been hand raised.
As always thanks for sharing! Love watching your channel. We are considering pigs next year and we are just trying to learn.
Awesome! Pigs are great animals to raise. Good luck with them!
It's amazing how well pigs train to an electric fence.
Keep it nice and hot and they learn in a hurry! Thanks for watching.
Helens inciting a riot.
🤣🤣. Yes she was! Thanks for watching
I love pig farming. Specially when they have a good and descent life style as farm animals.
Thanks! Appreciate y’all watching
@@SheratonParkFarms believe me, it's a privilege to know and watch how much you care about your animals.
I've been doing my research I'm so glad found your video.i have a baby pig and I wonder what kind or what is the name of the milk I should use . please I don't want to lose my baby pig it's getting I'll.
A quality milk replacer should be fine. Bottle feed every 4 hours or so. Don’t try to hold the piglet while it eats. Let it stand on its own.
I'll be in NC within a year, I'll see if you're selling piglets then and I'll be a customer of yours, thanks for the video.
New sub here from Oregon. Just stumbled upon your channel. Great content.
Thanks Earl! Glad you found us. Appreciate y’all watching!!!
@@SheratonParkFarms you’re welcome. Also feel free to check out my channel if you care to.
Most definitely! Will do.
Oh my God thank you so much sir . I'm not expecting my answer right now but thank you so much I really appreciate you reply.
Good luck with the piglet. Hope it does well
Mistakes are learning experiences.
We all are imperfect...
Just try not to repeat them.
Exactly.
Appreciate ya'll watching.
Great looking pigs SIR!
Thanks. Appreciate y’all watching
We raised several litters of the berk/duroc cross they grew a lot better than the pure bred berk piglets did
Yeah. I think the cross and creating that "hybrid vigor" makes a difference in growth times.
@Chuck- what is your opinion if breeding a large black boar with a berkshire sow?
Don't have any experience with the large black breed. If he is good quality, grows out nicely, has good feed conversion and all the qualities you'd like in a piglet, then he should do fine.
I, too was considering a Large Black boar due to their pasturing tendencies but haven’t been able to locate any near where I live in Western Tennessee. Coming up on my first year raising pigs, I am still very much a novice, but I’m making every effort to make good decisions from now on. I rushed into getting pigs, full of excitement and enthusiasm, only to learn that AGH & AGH/KuneKune mixes take a long time to grow out. I based my decision on taste but failed to consider other important facts.
I can’t afford much, but I like what I’ve read about Berkshires, Durocs and Yorkshires, and Large Blacks. Maybe Tamworth, too. But I also like Poland China, Landrace and Gloucestershire (sp?) Old Spots. Too many things to consider, but so much of it depends on availability in my area.
At our old home place we had about 1/4 mile of marginal ditch dump. MY dad would plant 1 to 2 acres roasting ear corn 🌽 patch and after we had put up our corn for household use, he would put up an electric fence and place a feeder steer or two along with 6 to 10 small feeder pigs to glean the corn 🌽 patch late summer and fall. It was called hogging off good days
I am raising set of Berkshires and i was told to feed them 6 lbs feed a day. but then i have other farmers say i am starving them do you have any info on it. I have googled it it says 6lbs. thanks for your time.
If you are feeding them out to process then I’d put them on free choice (supplied with feed all the time in a bulk feeder). If they are breeding stock, then you are just fine at 6.
@@SheratonParkFarms thank you
How did you run the electric fence. It kind of looks simple. Please show me the way. By the way, l would like to learn more from you. Happy pigs
I’ve done a couple of videos in fencing and setting it a pig pasture. See if one of these is helpful.
ua-cam.com/video/aORzJB5gp0A/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/GLxHDf4eLYM/v-deo.html
Great video once again! How do you keep them warm in the really cold weather like teens and lower!
We provide lots of dry bedding and a shelter for the smallest ones. Pigs do well in cold weather.
@@SheratonParkFarms Ten4 thank you very much
Have you had any problems with coyotes and bobcats raising hogs on the pasture
I think Helen figured out you ain’t feeding them out of love...😁
🤣😂🍽️
He now has options - Helen improves her odds of survival!
Do u have to bury that cattle panel so they don't root under, if so how deep?
We do not. There is an electric wire running on the inside perimeter of the panels that deters them from getting too close to them.
@@SheratonParkFarms I don't want to run electrical wire...too much to deal with.
You shouldn't have to bury it but you'll want to tie it to the posts super tight. They will lift it up and tear it out.
Hopefully cattle panels will be enough
@@mr.skeptical3071And then keep very close eye ( daily) on any digging going on. A neighbor had several pigs in a bay of a loafing shed with panels across the open side, and they'd dig under it ( and the end wall in a spot). He'd fill the holes with big rocks from around the farm. I'm sure it helps if they're not bored, so, I'd bet it would help if you at least made a semi-mobile pen with the panels and rotated them on pasture that way, if at all possible. I have a few ideas on how to do that, but one more involved one would be building a thing like Ben from the Hollar Homestead made for I think Justin Rhodes, 4 his sheep. Otherwise, a little electric wire is pretty easy and the infrastructure is often fairly/relatively cheap. ( Wire, plastic insulators and posts are fairly often available & very cheap on Craigslist, farm auctions or asking retired dairy farmers, and the fencer would be the main cost).
What kind of fence do you have? We are having trouble keeping our hogs in!
We train to a single strand of electric wire.
Do you not process any on your own? I took a class to learn and I can't wait!
They need to be USDA certified by a registered butcher if you want to sell to consumers.
@@mariadracona I hear some people in some states say they don’t need anything.
I don’t know this to be true, would just like to make sure so I don’t get into trouble.
Is Helen in heat?? My sow is like that in heat.
Yeah. We think so. Saundra was able to sit on Helen’s back this afternoon.
If she will hold the weight on her back she's ready to breed
I'd like to see more details on the farrowing shelter. do you have a video on them?
Do you have to worry about coyotes with pigs that size?
We’ve never had any problems with coyotes and pigs here. Sheep are a different story.
You really don't have problems with any other critters being around when you have pigs especially when one has littlins
My pig does what Helen was doing, and she always has. I think Helen just wants some affection, and love.
I've been meaning to ask you where you get the rebar stakes with the wing on them? I know that these plastic push in post aren't going to last very long.
We get them at Tractor Supply but the little wings break off really easy. Need to have a little tack weld to help hold them on. I've not looked but it may be cheaper to buy a length of rebar and cut your own.
I may do that. I’ve got a welder if the wings help that much. I’ll cut some. Thanks
@@tillmanfamilyfarm7759It ( the wings) helps ( the rebar post) to resist the tension of the wire being able to make the fence posts lean in, esp. in a long rainy spell/soft ground, or anything else causing it to want to lean/bend over, such as a cow rubbing on it ( they - some- tend to figure out how close they can get without getting zapped and do everything from reaching under for a bite of what's out there, to leaning over to scratching on it. Granted, my experiences were in a more "continuous" type grazing situation (not being frequently moved to fresh ground) and many cows/cattle like to mess w anything and everything, and in a decent sized herd, chances r you'll get a few of those easily bored, energetic types :) .Anyway, yeah, those "wing" things break off or - most often before they're old - bend easily. I just used the best ones on the curves, and did ok using posts without any left on em, on the straight. Obviously, ideally you'd use T posts or wood posts on sharp corners, if you'll be there awhile it's worth it. Or can afford to get enough and can likely cycle back around to the same paddock layout/size & shape, leave em there ( the heavier duty, less mobile, corner posts). Any store that sells farm fencing or electric fencing supplies would have or be able to get em. Also check Craigslist for used ones.
If that's been your biggest mistake, you're nailing it! Wish I could say the same.
I have watched several of your videos and really enjoy them. We Just subbed and look forward to learning more. We have a channel and a small farm as well. Keep filming and sharing! Thanks!
Awesome! Thank you! I'll be sure to check your channel out.
Am interested in the pig feeders, is there a video of how to get one.
I haven't done one but will be glad to do it. Thansk for watching
What was that class or school for the pigs you mentioned by chance? I’m getting ready to start a small pig operation here in Somerset, KY. Thanks for all the videos especially on pigs, they are very Informative.
register.farmbuilder.us/products/farrow-to-finish-marketing-school
Second cut hay is a good protein..
How many pigs per acre in deep south
Depends on size of the pigs, type of land you are on. Etc. generally we think about 4-5 per acre on our place.
@@SheratonParkFarms weaned piglets, mostly field with some woods and a small wet muddy area.
What kind of fence charger do you use?
So like to have spotted pigs like that can you cross them with another color or do they have to have spots one of the parents?
That’s a nice livestock trailer.
Man, that's a good looking bunch of pigs.
But I'm sure glad I have a full package, or I might would get set back to the neighbor pig farmer. Hee haw!
Thanks. We try to keep everyone in good shape. Appreciate y’all watching
At what age you take them to the butcher
I had a cat with one testicle once, called him uno 😂
hahaha. Love it!
Think you could get bottle pigs to drink out of a bucket or bowl like the big dairies do for calves? I've been offered free bottle pigs, but never tried them.
I hand raised 3 piglets out of a bowl. They wouldn't take a bottle. It was so easy. All 3 got fed at once.
How do you let these fellas mate?
My sow does that as well. Especially when she hears other piglets. Even if there not hers. She is a bit protective of her babies and have to watch her. I assumed it's her mother instinct. Not sure tho
It probably is. Some of them can be excellent mothers. Thanks for watching
Many years ago we raised hogs farrow to finish. Back then we were selling at 220-240 lbs. notice that you are processing at 330. Is that common for today’s breeds?
Where are yall located
We are in Wilkes county North Carolina.
I was hoping y’all was closer,I have a small farm,pigs are my favorite,I’m watching your videos now,seems like your electric fencing is a lot more efficient that my 16 ft panels,especially when needing to move them.how far up is the lowest wire,electric,and is there only one strand.i would love to come see your farm but I’m in whitesburg ga.
I also have duroc Berkshire mix,
Interesting!
Thanks Charles. Appreciate y’all watching
Was that a mobile loading chute? If so, where’d you get it.?
Pennington Creek Farms it is. We built it on farm.
Video on it: ua-cam.com/video/UcPRFfC5Pso/v-deo.html
@@SheratonParkFarms just watched it. I need to build one of these. Thank you again.
Is Helen in heat?
Certainly could be. I’ve checked her and can’t tell for sure that she is.
Just sounds like she could be
So I was on the tractor answering comments and my wife came out. Sat down on Helen’s back. I do believe she is in heat! You were spot on!!
Would u be interested in sharing local farm breeders . Very interested in purchasing new breeding stock thanks
Does Helen have any other sows in her paddock? I read that sows need to be around others before farrowing to help with socializing. Separated just before farrowing hope this helps!
I had my boar and didn't realize he was only packing 1 nut. The other resticle was up inside him. He produced a litter of six piglets. 4 males and two females. I sold 1 male and 1 female and kept the others. I'll have to check with the guy who purchased the male to see how the young male is doing. I agree with you. I do not like the fact that the mating boar only dropped 1 testicle. You're right, that will pass on genetically. What breed of pigs do you raise? Duroc, Berkshire. I'm not good at telling a breed by looks yet. I was wondering if you raise mixe bred pigs. Meat quality is why I ask this. I'd like to raise a nice quality meat producing pig. I also would prefer pigs that are good natured unlike Helen the grump. Any reommendations? Thanks. 👍🏽🤠 1/30/23
While I'm sure there's tons of others out there with much more, longer & wider experience ( & I have none yet) you may be interested in the Hollar Homestead channel, their experiences with a few different pig breeds they've butchered and ate. They've said that, I think it was, the American Guinea hogs were the tastiest so far, they grow very slowly, and there were pluses to others they've had incl. 2 mangalista's, incl. an intact boar.
We’re feeding out a Berkshire Duroc right now and not a fan. I’d much prefer a Hampshire Duroc cross.
Lesson learned.
You’d think I’d know better. 🤣🤣
@@SheratonParkFarms we all make mistakes. I wouldn't have known to look.
So what did you do about grumpy Helen? I don't think I'd like being around a grumpy sow. Did you process her? She's probably only going to get worse since you don't get in the pen with her and it seems she might not want you in her paddock. Full-watch. Thanks
You have a lot of mouths to feed. Lol. We have raised our own pigs for butchering my whole life. Nothing like it but that nose sure makes a remarkable plow. I always say electric fence is a blessing. Lol. They respect it. Thanks for sharing and stay safe!
- Tom “Outdoors and Country Living”.
They are amazing critters! We love keeping them and they’ve been fairly profitable. Appreciate y’all watching
Hi, how do you vaccinatethe piglets ?
Nice pigs
Thanks for watching.
Maybe predators in the wood at night ?… Also, I’m thinking of getting pigs I’m amazed to see such a large animals behaving with only one strand of electrified. is this normal? How are your pigs just well-behaved?
Helen is definitely in heat. Classic behavior.
Agree. Thanks for watching
Can u speak more about the classes u take to learn extra tips and stuff?
Omg so cute
I've never tasted a heritage free range hog. I've heard they taste like beef. Do they get premium price? I must add that your hogs look very tasty LOL!!!
I’m so sorry man that sucks you would think breeders would take more care but it’s a profit based industry unfortunately.
breading programs could significantly benefit from genetic testing ect
I'm thinking about start a pig farm can you help me get start it up
Be careful giving them to much hay piglets will hide in it and your sow will lay on them
Good point. Thanks for watching
Bacon!! No need for that black market or private bidding wars after all ;)
Exactly!!!
I wish you could do a video on how to cut a boar hog and make it a bar hog.thats what my dad called it anyway! You may call it something else t
i had a bunch of pigs do that . i had to walk the property with my 4 dogs and i found a den with around 6 coyotes and the pack .
killed them all and filled the hole in the den . pigs stopped after that.
night time camera will show u have predators on the property and animals on the farm will be on high alert always and always streesed out .
god bless
You should check out homesteading the hard way for a boar. Another hog farmer I follow. I know he's in North Carolina. Maybe yall aint to far away from each other.
He is down in eastern NC, probably about 3 hours away. I may reach out to him and see what he has. Thanks for the suggestion.
@@SheratonParkFarms Good stock is hard to come by. I never planned on getting into breeding, but don't have much choice these days. I just drove 2 1/2 hours to pick up a duroc boar and 2 hampshire gilts, but they are quality and worth the trip!
No doubt. I’ve heard of guys pulling piglets out of junkyards. You get what you pay for!
breed name plz
Berkshire/Duroc cross
@@SheratonParkFarms thanku to reply
Lets go Brandon, and everyone who "voted" for him!
That's an expensive gate. Cost of plywood has gone crazy.
There goes another love song….someone’s singing about me again! (Not really)😃🌈🤙
Jack needs a name change... Einstein!
Seems like they want a new paddock.
Yep. Time to move!
Appreciate y'all watching.
👍
You should have named in Porkchops. 😃
Well, if getting "Einstein" ("one stone" in German) is the huge mistake you made, I'd say you are doing OK.... Great looking animals, good job!!
I think Helen is upset w u because u took separated her from her little ones bud
I’m curious as to why you want to cross bread. As someone that grew up on a farm raising sheep and cattle; I understand hybrid vigor. But there are three ways to go. 1 meat quality, 2 fertility, 3 breed specific. By continuing to randomly mix breeds u don’t see your goal.
“I” not “u”. Berkshire is supposed to be one of the best as far as quality of meat. Poland China among the most prolific, Duroc amongst the largest. You have Hampshire and Yorkshire etc., amongst popular breeds. But your cross breeding lends no desired outcome. So random. Just my humble opinion; but pick a breed and run with it for your main heard. Use a superior pure bread male to bread your many cross bread females for meat production. Focus pure bread for high priced piglets and breading stock for sale. This cross upon cross model has limited marketing. Unless it is structured to creat a better bread, and that takes decades.
Your pigs look very structurally sound. My advise especially if using AI is to pick one breed. Improve on it and use your very best pure bread boar to bread all sows
That narrow chested red and white cross bread pig you bought from the high school girl was sorry. In fact all three of them were much inferior to the pigs you raised with AI from your own cross breading. Not nearly as long, deep sided, or thick across the back. Or hams. Often cross breading achieves this. But I encourage you to buy 6 or 8 Berkshire sows and AI them to a superior Berkshire boar. Keep the best boar out of those litters and buy 10 more Berkshire sows to pair him with. Choose a different Berkshire boat to bread the other 5 sows and keep the best of their female offspring to bread back to him. You could have the best pigs available for market and resale in three years.
All female animals I have get real grumpy when in heat😂I think that’s what Helens problem is...but I could be wrong! Good luck with her, those piglets sure are cute! Just found your channel and really enjoyed it. Are you having issues getting your animals processed?
Yes. We’ve had a tough time getting in to our processor but that seems to be easing up a bit. They have given us dates for all of 2021 and we get pushed to the top of their waiting list occasionally. Afraid we may hit another tough time in the spring. We’ll see. Appreciate y’all watching
Is that all? Things happen.
Bacon seeds!!!
Indeed! Thanks for watching.
Call one DrPork chop
Volume is low when your talking, I turned it up then the ad came on and tried to blow my speakers. thanks
Sorry about that. Thanks for the feedback.
You gotta watch them babie pigs don't get tangled up in that Hey and the mamas Will lay on them because they won't see them
Very true. Appreciate y’all watching
@@SheratonParkFarms no I haven't been watching my first time watching but I am a dairy farmer and I have hogs goats chickens you name it i probably got it
This video’s two years old, but you should have named that piglet with one testicle, either “Lance,” or “Armstrong.“ 😂🤣
I have seen it done but seeing it as a kid I didn’t pay attention
poor guy. he almost had a really good, long life.
How bout Corn King for a name