All these babies wake up a farm from its frigid winter slumber much faster than the weather. Even though we only just reached above freezing yesterday, still the babies all commanded attention and sweetness and good food. Even the biggest baby of them all our beloved Sheila.
I have taken Poppy and her Bali Belly right back to basics. She just smelt wrong. So I tore off the label at the bottom of her specially ground feed and went over it more carefully. Consequently I have hauled the bag of special baby pig food out of the barn and dumped it, after finding ‘animal fats’ in the badly printed small print. I truly believed that I had got what I asked for but maybe the person I bought it from did not realise. Anyway I have been over this and should have checked the label more carefully. From now on, like Sheila, she only gets food I have mixed and ground myself. I was being lazy. All yesterday she only ate fresh food and raw milk, boiled eggs and tiny portions of kefir and by the evening she was perking right up.
By afternoon it was warm enough for the babies to come outside. The Bobby took Daisy for a walk. Three days old and he was gambolling about the field. He slept well last night.
Daisy and I are getting into a rhythm with the milking now . Though her udder is still too wide for the cups to reach all four at one time. Luckily I have had John to help. The next few days are going to go even colder. And John is back at work. So as well as milking three times a day, without John about to help, I will have to bring the pump and the defibrillator, that sits on top of the bucket and drives the pulse, back up to the house where it is warm. There is no way around this. Luckily the pump is on wheels. You will remember we did this all last winter. However by the end of the week it is due to warm up a little.
Guess who inherited him mothers dagger looks. 
The peahens are still waiting for Godot.
Sheila and I went out for a good run, she always feels better after a run. I have a feeling that this winter is getting her down too. I have never sighed as much as I have sighed this winter and I think Sheila feels the same. 
Nothing like a running pig. I call out, “Lets Race” and she and I run like crazy back to her pen, I turned to take this shot very quickly as she was gaining on me! She has never actually run me over but you cannot be sure with a galloping 400 pound piggie. She Loves to run and then when she turns the corner she trots back into her bedroom panting like a horse.
I hope you all have a lovely day.
Spring will visit by the weekend and it will get warmer! I am SURE this time.
Love your friend on the farmy
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
60 responses to “Sunday Walkies”
I trust you took the ‘orrible unnatural pig feed back to the shop and emptied it over the salesman’s head. Small print should be outlawed, as should be feeding pork to pigs.
The pictures are great – You must be incredibly fit to outrun Sheila.
I can’t believe I made such a stupid mistake. But John said I did ask for no animal proteins! not animal fat!! c
We shouldn’t have to be so specific: common sense says that pigs are not cannibals.
i would love to see a video of shiela running! that would be something to see. i am glad that poppy is perky! i hope you don’t get any snow from this next storm. i think it is going south of you!
Love the shot of Sheila running! Here’s hoping spring is on the way soon. I’m with you and Sheila and quite ready for it.
How delightful to have a batch of babies for Spring!
It’s wonderful to feel the new life on the farm through the pages of your blog. Wish I could send you a package of Andalucian sunshine!
Oh I meant to tell you, Daisy’s udder was so sore that I have been rubbing the arnica in, not near the teats, just the actual udder and I think it is helping.. c
Thank-you, for the warm weather. It’s suppose to show up here later in the week. Mind you we still have 2 feet of snow so don’t take all the heat.
I didn’t realize little Poppy wasn’t doing so well. I know you said she has some toilet issues but I didn’t know what that meant. Sheila wrinkling her nose (even if it’s only almost) must be quite a sight. A dreadful stink pervading the barn is something you don’t need. And I love that Big Dog knows Daisy’s milk makes him feel better. Just incredible.
P.s. what is a Bali Belly?
When you visit Bali and are not used to the local water, sometimes you develop .. um.. gastric issues..at home we call it Bali Belly.. c
When I first saw the shots of Poppy stacked and in the pen, I thought it was one shot of two piggies and couldn’t figure out if I’d missed something! Lovely to see everyone looking so fine and to see a pulled back shot of the Bobby having a walkabout with Daisy. Sheila would make a great character for a children’s book…I’m sure someone has already mentioned that here…with her big personality, animated face and ears.
She does have the most wonderful ears! c
I wish I had your confidence in the weather.
Its either that or i am going to throw myself on the floor and go into a full blown tantrum.. this way is easier on the furniture.. morning darling.. c
Nowadays it seems that I spend a lot of time reading labels. You are right, grain is not a natural food for cattle. Most of the bicarbonate of soda produced is fed to feedlot cows because corn bloats them so badly, not to mention it is all GMO stuff. I now feed my cats grain free food as they are strictly meat eaters. No shedding now or upchucks anymore. I also carry a small magnifying glass because it seems the small print is getting smaller. Lovely pictures of your babies. Little Poppy is such a cutie….and Sheila….what can I say. I know there is a “when pigs fly” joke here somewhere. I missed Marcel today.
also the corn is very acidic, so their lives are curtailed anyway.. Daisy eats beet shreds when I am milking with molasses and oats and barley mixed in.. it is going to be a while before she gets some grass by the looks of it, then it is all grass.. c
I just get over whelmed by the tender loving thoughts that you have for all your animals especially the babies. I thought farmers were supposed to be hard nosed and gritty, but you are so kind hearted and care so much. I am happy that Polly Pig is back to health. It just shows you what rubbish we could be giving our animals if we do not read the labels. Bobby is coming along well and Daisy looks like a real proud Mum…and Sheila..what can you say about Sheila , a character, an actress, a wonderful pig and dear little Marcel, ain’t he just the cuddliest thing you ever did see…..As much as I love animals I would not be any good as a farmer as I would have to keep all of them and that is not self sufficient….. love to you all, and happy Milking!
The thought of Sheila running makes me laugh endlessly. Hope spring soon greets you and the farmy, c!
A pig running is impossible to describe but she loves it!.. c
You like to live dangerously! Tripping and being run over by 400 lbs of oink would not be funny.
Thank goodness that milking machine has wheels! I remember you dragging around the old machine during the Winter months. I hope this one proves more reliable, too. Knowing how very large Sheila is, her running must be quite a sight! I wonder whether Poppy will like to run, too. Now that will be something to see. 🙂
Have a great day, Celi.