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Tane of the Light

Yesterday we had  miserable late autumn weather. Very cold, close to freezing actually and wild bendy tree winds. Rotton winds. So The Old Rooster and I decided that wee Tane, who has just arrived from Sunny California after all, would be better off staying in his snug pen with a warm lamp. He was not alone of course. Boo- Skunky was hovering. Ton was guarding. Old Chook lives in that pen and is not budging.  Tima was doing flirtatious scaredy cat manoevures. Poppy who is pulling things apart in the midst of her Heat paused to investigate (but not for long) she is practising climbing the hog panels.  Sheila slept but this is what Sheila does on inclement days and the chooks and the guineas and the peacocks just stared. As they do.

So here is Tane Mahuta.  I love his little teeth. the-018

I lined the concrete  floor  of his pen with old wool and covered it with about a foot of straw so he has a nice warm bed. He can have a few restful days while we wait for nicer weather then  I will begin the introduction process with Tima. Though I fear we have seen the last of the summer days. Winter has come. I hope he does not get a chillly reception.

Neither of these piggies are old enough to breed.  (A boar would be mature at eight months at the earliest a gilt at 10 – 12)  so I am hoping they can just be hot water bottle buddies for a few winter months. Then they will seperate until  the time is right. Of course this may or may not work but the closer we get to December the better. Remember 3 months, 3 weeks and 3 days is a pigs gestation period.

So far: Tima sees him, startles, then runs and hides. Maybe this is a coy move. Or maybe she thinks she is a cat, who knows what Tima thinks. Bless her little cotton socks.

Now for our kittens: Six days old.

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ckittens-5-007

 

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I thought I might call that sequence – “Get off me,  I am trying to sleep”.

I am off to the rugby. I may not have time to blog tomorrow, but you never know.

Have a lovely day.

Your friend on the farm

celi

 

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50 responses to “Tane of the Light”

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  1. So glad you and John get a day away to play–though you’ve been up and down that road often this past week. Hope you have a wonderful time.

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  2. Oh my gosh, he’s so cute. I can’t believe Percy the Plentiful was that little! With Tima as a teacher I believe those two will set you a merry chase!

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  3. Tane is a handsome chap and the kittens are sweet. He looks very comfy in his bed. Considering the weather and that he’s from a warmer climate, it’s probably better he stays in till the weather improves.

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  5. Just began my evening TV news here . . . and am roaring my head off doing the haka!!! Good’on’ya even if no one in your part of the world did seem to know what was going on!! Kisses and hugs and ‘well done’ from across the Ditch!!! [OK! OK! OK! Ella put it way better but I am on way later . . . .] Jumping up and down Milady. . .

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  7. So many sweet young ones today. My whole purpose in life as a pre-schooler was to find the spring litters of kittens in the barn. Thanks, Celi, for making my life’s work so much easier.

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