Fence Progress
Well… the pasture fence is up and now we are working to make a small paddock for the baby kunekunes and to finish the pigdiminium. We have put a deposit down on three little piggies so we have got to get moving! It has honestly rained every single day that Blake has had off for an entire month! That is not helping our progress at all.
Let me tell you a little bit about our kunekune piglets and why we chose that breed. When you see the pictures you will go crazy over how cute they are! But that’s not the main reason we chose that breed. I say “we” loosely because Blake really is the one who researched, planned and designed the pasture space and pigdiminium. He is one that really takes his time to think about things, research and then think some more. Me, on the other hand, I just go wherever my heart takes me! Like from the moment I saw the Icelandic sheep breed I knew that was it. My philosophy is find what you love then figure how to get it and keep it. So, in our house that’s called being a “Cosper” (my maiden name). When you act like a Cosper, you have an idea one minute then it’s basically done the next. But being a Nicholas (as in Blake) you have to sit with things for a while, research, change your mind, then research some more, then go back to the original idea, research some more then make a decision! And that’s just the first part. You then have to keep researching ha ha. But I think it’s good to have a Cosper and a Nicholas together to balance things out and not to make too many rash, spontaneous decisions. So last week, Blake acted like a Cosper and we hired someone to help get our fence finished. I came home from work on Thursday and Blake had bought not one, not two, but three pigs! Now that’s a Cosper for you!
Back to why we chose the kunekune breed. The kunekune is a small breed, domestic pig from New Zealand. They are hairy with a rotund build and some have wattles hanging down from their lower jaw. In comparison, the kunekune is one of the smallest domesticated breeds of pigs only reaching up to 24 inches tall but can reach up to 200 pounds once mature. This breed of pigs are very docile and laid back and have friendly personalities. They primarily graze so it’s a great breed for homesteaders and small acre farmers like Blake and I. They can even help till my garden or clean up the orchard when the old fruit has fallen. And, from what I understand, they love belly rubs!
So we are working on getting the small paddock ready because when they are babies we will keep them up at night as well as when we are not at home. They will also need a separate place when they are ready to farrow (to give birth).
I can’t wait to get the precious piglets and post pictures. These pictures do not show our entire pasture, but wanted you to see where the paddock was going. Stay tuned for more pictures and progress!
