Category: Pigs

Introducing and Breeding Pigs for the First Time

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Introducing and Breeding Pigs.

It was quite a day! As is often the way with Farming, it didn’t all go as planned or expected, but it did go well. Most of it anyway! This is the second time in about a week we’ve introduced new Pigs. First the three little ones, Elvis, Jack, and Babe to Lara. That went quite well, a little biting and a few squeals, but nothing serious. Now a week later Lara who is about 11 months old has pretty well adopted the three little ones who are about 4 months or so and weigh less than half Her weight. 

At first, when we got the little ones, earlier this Fall, we’d hoped Elvis or Jack would be big enough to breed Lara, but they’re not. Not even close actually! Anyway, the first introduction went well. 

So, knowing we wanted to breed Lara, but also knowing the little.boars we’re to little to do the job, we got Eugene. Eugene is a Managalisa cross who we’ve had just a few days. We put him in what was Lara’s stall in the barn. Kept him the for a few days, while we got used to each other. He’s very tame, quite friendly, and was well raised. Yet, only about half Lara’s size! 

So, wasn’t sure how the introduction or the potential breeding would go!?

I certainly put myself out there in these videos! Showing, embarrassingly so, how green I really am! However, as you’ve seen in this video series, and especially when the three little pigs come to the right side of the fencing when I needed them to shows how much work and training we invest into them! I have really come to enjoy raising pigs. 

If you’d like to come see our Pigs, and other Critters, contact Brian to Book Your Farm Tour at Briden Farm. 902-907-0770 

Eugene the Mangalisa Pig comes to Briden Farm

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Eugene the Mangalisa Pig

Eugene, the Mangalisa Pig, is a Boar of about 7 months old and weighing about 150-200 lbs. I’m yet to put a tape on him so his weight is a guess. Our hope is he’s going to start dating our Berkshire Gilt. A Gilt is a female pig before she’s bred. Hopefully before long, Lara will be a Sow. Bred by Eugene and having a drove of piglets come Spring. 

Categories: Mangalisa Pigs Pigs Pork

You may have heard, we’ve made some changes in our Pig Herd

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Briden Farm Pig Introductions

Changes have been happening in our Herd of Berkshire Pigs. Moe and Curly have moved on to Heavenly Pastures and we’ve introduced Lara to three younger pigs, Jack, Elvis, and Babe. Hoping that Babe and Lara become our Piggy Mommas. Lara by Spring and Babe later on. 

This video shows the four getting along quite well after just a couple of days… 

We originally got the three little ones in hopes of breeding them, one of them, Jack or Elvis, to Lara. However, I wasn’t quite calculating things right! As you can see, there’s still a significant size difference between them and Lara. 

So, we’re weighing our options as to what’s best to do about breeding Lara and to whom? We’re working on a couple of different options at the moment. 

As for Babe, it’ll be spring before she’s ready to be bred. There’s never a dull moment around the farm. Especially when you have Pigs and Goats! Fun! Fun! 

Come embrace, the fun, at Briden Farm! Where the Tea is always on, and the Coffee is not far behind! Call Brian today to Book Your Farm Visit. 902-907-0770 

PS: Ask us about buying Pork, Piglets, or Hogs!

Categories: Pigs Pork