Sows Moved to Greener Pastures

The mountain lion’s repeated attacks over the past six months has created havoc with paddock rotations. 

Shortly after the first mountain lion attack, the sows were split up and moved onto their individual farrowing paddocks. After farrowing we slowly rejoined the sows and piglets until they were one herd again. With a single herd of 33 pigs, they did a phenomenal job of clearing out the underbrush of the Galt’s Gulch paddock.

With a majority of the poison oak and blackberries cleared, it was time for the herd to move to a new paddock.

Of course pigs are extremely smart. They are smart enough to know where their former fence line was even after the wires are removed. Not wanting to get shocked, they are often reluctant to cross the former fence line.

However, they can’t resist a little bit of coaxing with hard boiled eggs and feed. Once they crossed the road to their new paddock they were extremely happy to find greener pastures.

Next up for moving are the gilts. 

They were supposed to be moved to their new paddock today.

However, I haven’t put eyes on Rita for over 36 hours. Last night I think I found where she has built a nest and possibly farrowed. 

Unfortunately, her nest is in the middle of their current paddock and I’m going to have to crawl through some blackberries and poison oak to get to her to check things out . . .