You can’t grow pasture raised pork unless the Plonkers actually get out onto the pasture. Many people have trouble with the pigs rutting up the fields (which generally happens in the autumn when the fields lose the protein in the leaf) so I have devised a system for this.
It is all about responding to the call. First I train the pigs to come when I call them.
Then once we are clear on this (and the pigs are bigger than the holes in the fence) I let them out for a tiny visit to the field before I call them back in and feed them their milk and eggs -this visit to the field will get longer every day.
I never let them out long enough to get bored and start digging in the pasture. Their field visits are all about eating CLOVER and ALFALFA and having a good run around then straight back into their garden!
The moment these piggies hit the field they started chomping on the pasture. Fast. I love seeing animals out on the grass. It makes me happy.
This week sometime, Hugo and I will put Molly and Tahiti in a crate and take them over to the West Barn. I don’t want them to be on the Get Fat diet that the plonkers are on. There is plenty of field for them over there and a beautiful pig apartment in the barn.
I hope you have a lovely day. I really do. As lovely as me I hope.
Love,
celi
The Kitchen's Garden 
27 responses to “Out on the grass”
No need to worry about possible damage: notice both Boo and Ton on ‘point duty’! Clover, alfalfa, milk and eggs: now tell me how many pigs in the world enjoy this kind of tucker whilst growing for the pot . . .
I love the header shot. And must smile about the one with the piggy and Boo, enjoying in a similar way the grass. Or does he just pose for the foto? The pig and the dog. Great.
Like your planning concerning the pasturing of the piggies.
I think, Molly and Tahiti being at the West Barn would miss their fellows though.
For the pears:
You have to tell Hugo just that: “Tarte amandine aux poires”. – He should make one for you. Or maybe he did already? It’s so great!
I can just see you taking all the pigs out on a dog walk 😉