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When an animal escapes... check the power is running to the fences 1st!

Well I got up Friday morning to find a suspicious creature roaming around the cows in their paddock... On further inspection I realised it was the lovely Sage!

How was she out?

So when I went down for their morning feed, I turned off the fence and marched down the garden, shaking the bucket loudly; not something I would do normally, as it winds them up- but that was my intention, I found out. Up she ran, stopping at the corner of the paddock, pondering her options. At first I thought she might head for the house garden, as the barb isn't as low and there's no electric fence. But she went for the pig pen fence; burrowing underneath, lifting the barb wire and (something I had never seen a pig do), pull herself along with her hind legs straight behind her (like a dog). Fortunately none of the others had ventured over with her, though this maybe why- as I have never seen any of the others do this. And the bore and other sow are probably that little bit too big- but am grateful Berky (our grower) hadn't, as he is much smaller still.

Knowing there was little I could do before work, I left- hoping I still had all our pigs when I got back. So on my drive home, I came to the corner, holding my breath as I counted 1, 2, 3 ??? Then I realised the cows were in their field, with an extra!

So when Matt got home, we set about solving this problem. Explaining how she had returned, twice. We agreed tightening the barb and lowering the fence lines would be most effective.

Sage thought otherwise. On both Saturday and Sunday we found her happily roaming around the paddock with the cows. To be honest if I could leave her roam the whole paddock I would, but it isn't secured for a pig. And the cows share other peoples paddocks,(as not all of them are ours- they're a sort of "community herd". Though at present it is just ours and our adjoining neighbour. I still don't think his neighbours would be best pleased if she ventured onwards.

So we added wire fencing to her 2 favourite spots, as a visual deterrent (as well as making it physically harder), as well as an added obstacle of another line electric fence, before the main area- where she was burrowing. As we were doing this, we added another (lower) line to the temporary fenced off section; the bit that is in recovery, so they have pasture of their own to graze on. As our Berkshire cross had ventured over Sunday morning, grazing on the seedlings and shoots that had begun to come!

It was then that we questioned whether all the fence wires were "live?"... They weren't. The lower wire running along the fence line to the garden was. But the second run was a return wire and it wasn't reaching the pig pen.

After about an hour of Matt carrying out the "leaf test"; which involves wetting a leaf and using it to make contact with the wire; so you are not taking the full belt of the fencing! We realised that a knot along the front fence had burned out. Given that we had tested it about a week ago, we figured the rain may have helped this. So with a little maintenance and a metal joiner, our fence was fully operational once more!

So far we have had four pigs in the pen and in their section... so hopefully I can go to work now, knowing they are safe and sound.

Easter long weekend

Well the Easter break is the only 4-day weekend of the year; provided you don't work bank holidays. And here almost everyone (especially retail) do! This is a cultural thing for us I guess, but many businesses make the most of the LONG weekend and close right through. No sale of alcohol on Good Friday and the fish markets are over run in the run up. Just not really traditions we are used too. I think Easter is almost as big a deal here as Christmas, or in some cases more so.

But after a few years, we were expecting this, so it gave us plenty of time to get on with a few jobs around the smallholding.

A bit of Autumn cleaning? Well we definitely gave the living areas, fans, vents etc a good clean. This is something I associate with the clocks changing (in the UK). Which was this Sunday- guess this is from my Nan... or my Dad. But then it would be 'Spring cleaning', but as the seasons are reversed here, I guess it would be Autumn cleaning... either way the house needed it, following the long, humid, damp wet season...so now it looks a lot fresher.

It's a little strange, as I guess we prepare for the winter here as we did the summer in the UK. As we actually use the outside more, and are relieved to be free, after weeks/months cooped up from the weather.

The garden had a bit of an Autumn clean up too. The patio and furniture was jet washed, the lawn is low and strimmed; though we desperately need a new stimmer/ whipper snipper- one of the things we could not get this weekend.

Most of the beds in the veg patch are weeded and mulched. I even put up a shade over the one garden bed and fenced almost all of it off- to stop the free ranging chooks from eating all my seedlings! Having the garden beds fenced off, should mean they are safe from the dogs too- so hopefully I can finally plant those Rhubarb seeds; Rhubarb leaves are highly poisonous, to humans and most animals. So I haven't been game to plant them... just in case- not sure I would forgive myself.

We put up the temporary fencing along the back garden. So the birds now have more room in the day, but cannot get to the rest of the back garden... in a hope that the lawn will grow back. It hasn't really recovered following the tank moving last year and it's already looking better. Now the birds are not eating the shoots as soon as they make it through the soil!

Sunday we headed out in the boat. As it was smooth and the winds were supposed to be good; Ideal conditions for a small vessel like ours in open water, so we set off... Every man and his dog, must have had the same idea, and no one appeared to be catching, just moving from spot to spot. So we cut our losses and headed back and take our chances in the creek instead.

This paid off- Some mighty muddies!

Welcome Bradley and Darth to the flock.

Bradley- Jubilee Indian/Cornish Game rooster

Saturday we picked up 2 more Indian Game roosters. Bradley is a Jubilee male and Darth (Darth Vader Jnr) is a dark. Don't ask me where their names came from, but that was their names when we picked them up, so I guess they'll stick. But as Darth Vader Jnr's dad was Vader, (guess because he was a 'dark' Indian/Cornish game) then I think we'll stick to Darth for short.

Darth- Dark Indian/Cornish Game rooster

These boys are a little older than the others we have, and are already crowing.  They are settling in well, and definitely have their own personalities; Darth thinks he's a ladies' man, whilst Bradley likes and early night.

So hopefully when the girls start laying, we now have a few males; which we hope will increase our chances of fertility. And now with the wide variety of colours in the breed, we hope to get some interesting results too.

Where did I go wrong, with my worms?

Worms were a disaster!

Well i had ordered 2 kilos of composting worms- 1 for our bio-tank (of which I hope these are thriving, but I haven't been game to check. And the other kilo for my worm farm. As I intended to maintain our own stock; to benefit both my garden (through fertiliser) and be able to top up the tank, and maybe even occasionally treat the flock.

I had been fussing as they were in transit, with the long weekend fast approaching... however they made it to our house on Wednesday. Which was a relief, as I had left strict instructions to place them on the doorstep if we were not there. Firstly as I was worried I would they would be cooped up for another day, and secondly for the shade... Well they got one out of two. Thankfully my neighbour moved them out of the sun for me.

So to their new home. I had constructed a worm farm from 2 polystyrene eskies (foam boxes) I bought from the local veg store. Piercing holes in the bottom, side (near the top) and lid, using a small drill bit. I hen place damp shredded newspaper mixed with a bit of straw and manure through. And finally adding some shredded lettuce at the top and just underneath.

Then I place the holey, filled box on top of the second and scattered in the bag of worms. And shredded the damp cardboard (that they came in) in there too. Placed the 2 cloth bag they arrived (slightly wettened over the top, then replaced the lid. Covered the boxes with a damp hessan sack   and left them for the night. This I kept in the shed, to control the light and heat. I had read that they shouldn't smell, but they had a very distinctive smell!

In the morning there had been a lot of action... many had escaped through the upper air wholes and lid! I picked up as many as I could save. Some had already dried out. So with this in mind I Googled  my findings, to be reassured to know they were probably restless and exploring their new environment. Some others experience also suggested they maybe too wet. So with this in mind, and the other half suggesting I make another box with smaller wholes, I set to work.

Pierce the 3^rd box with a smaller drill bit- but this time just the lid and base. Then transferred the contents into this box with some added dry shredded paper.

Well some success, they were not escaping. So I checked them again, before I locked the shed up for the night, still looked good... but they did smell? In the morning, they were all dead. Not a single wriggler...

Well the 'Worm book' and soil tester are still to arrive. I will probably b able to use the soil tester for the garden. But as for the 'Worm Book' I don't think I will be attempting farming my own again, any time soon... So maybe I'll EBay it.

New arrivals, more losses

Where to start with this weekend, yet another weekend of highs and lows, losses and gains; and not all of them planned or at our own hand. Others were, and we have a stocked freezer as a result.

 I do feel as if all I post recently is lost livestock and purchases of replacements. I understand that a turn over is required in some circumstances to introduce new bloodlines, however I do not feel we will be needing to do that for quite some time!

2 new turkeys and Indian game roosters

Firstly we lost the young poult, that had had its leg caught in the incubator tray. To be entirely honest I am not sure that was all that was wrong with it; it was unsteady on its feet and although we had seen it eat and drink, I am not sure it was getting enough, and was weak.

Saturday we also lost Ronnie; our prize Indian Game rooster. We had quarantined him for a few days, following his run in with the car- we don't think he was run over, but he definitely gave himself a fright being underneath it. Though I do think he had become increasingly unsteady on his feet, prior to this. But it may have finished him off.

So we returned to the breeder of our last batch of Indian Games to purchase another dark rooster, only to come away with 2! We also picked up 2 young turkeys- one male, one female. So we have various stages, to grow out for Christmas; though I hope the female has at least one season laying prior to that.

On the piggy front, Friday we travelled back to the free range piggery to purchase a young gilt, in the hope of breeding pure Berkshires. So we made the 250km (approx 156 miles) round trip to see Christina at Berkshire Gold and picked out our girl- Sage.



Sage ready to meet her new mob



Sage settling into her new surroundings



Berkshire Gold supply the local area with high quality free range meat. Though we have noticed how timid she is (in comparision to our other). As a free ranger piggery, they have a huge amount of space on about 110 hectre (I wish!). But it does mean that they are not as used to human contact as our guys... So this is something I will be working on! 

Sage remained in the transport cage overnight, as it was late when we returned and she was dry and comfy. So the introduction to the herd (or mob) came on Saturday morning... but there was one thing we had to do first.

Introducing a new member to our herd was bound to cause excitement and probably a bit of tension. So there was one thing that required our attention first.

Berky our 1st piglet born and raised

The purchase of Sage (that's the new gilts name), did seal Streaky's fate (our original gilt, purhcased- unsuccessfully as a breeder). So before introducing the new girl, we needed to deal with Streaky.



Smokey- our Berkshire bore



This was not a task, either of us was looking forward to, or a decision we took lightly. We had already persevered for months, with no success. And as we rear our pigs for pork, that was the decision that needed to be made. But I have blogged this event separately, in the previous post. So for those who do not wish to read, or see some of the images (as they may be upsetting).

In the middle of this however Sage decided that the cows paddock looked far more inviting, so made a break through the fence (as we had knocked the electric fence off  to allow us to use the ramps- to pu ther in, and forgotten to pu tit back on). So had to herd her back through, without letting the others out... not the best timing.

So we sectioned part of the pen off with electric fencing, to allow for the pasture (and probably various veg that will propergate from thier dropping) to regrow. Then we will rotate and separate another bit.

 

Streaky became Pork

*This post is not for the faint hearted- not that it is graphic, but some may find it upsetting.

But as our first pig, raised soley here; from paddock to plate. This made this a difficult decision to make, and a sorrowful event. But here is a breif account of the process.

Saturday morning was D-day for Streaky. Following months of perseverance in the hope she would produce piglets, the decision was made. We had enjoyed having her, and she had had a good life. But all animals on a small holding have their purpose. And since she wasn't producing and meeting one, it was to be the other.

So the kill itself was short and swift- direct shot to the head, and she had no idea it was coming; she was content and happy to the end. Although she was dead, it is still necessary to 'bleed' the animal. To avoid the blood congealing and spoiling the meat.



Our next, and by far one of the most difficult tasks was moving her. Once we got her to the bath. We managed to hoist her, on the 3^rd attempt- as twice she bent the winch!



Preparing water



We borrowed a 100kg scales, that she topped out before we even had her off the floor.

The next job, once the animal is bled, is to scold the skin/hair. We did this by heating 2 kegs of water, over gas flames and filling the bath tub. The rule of thumb for a successful scald is 2 buckets of boiling water, to every bucket of cold water. The actual desired temperature is 62-64 degrees celsius. Too hot and the skin actually sticks to the meat, too cold and it will be in/ or limitedly affective.



Pierce behind rear tendons to hoist



Once the was to temperature we lowered her into the bath and used a (clean) spade and a borrowed hair scraper tool to agitate the water and begin to scrape the skin.  Our Streaky was that big, there was little room for the water, and getting good coverage on the hocks etc was almost impossible. This just meant that the lower cuts off the limbs had to be skinned, and we did not use the trotters on this occasion.



And lower her in the bath



Getting the temperature right



Removing hair & layer of skin 



To be honest, she was probably too large for a home kill. We estimated her live weight at around 120-130 kg as we successfully have over 60kg of pork cuts and joints from her. (General rule ½ live weight to meat out come). In commercial circumstances a pig of this size would be scalded in an enclosed tank- working much like a washing machine.



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Then she had to be gutted and hung over night; just to get the core temperature down. Gutting provided an insight into why there had been no success with producing piglets, as she had a few pink cists. So guess it was never meant to be. We were relieved however, that despite her age and size, there was still relatively little fat on her- in pig terms.  



Too large for Bandsaw



Berkshires are known for their 'marbling' and this was evident in the meat cuts. To be honest none of us had ever seen such colourful meat from a pig. Just goes to show how the breed and free ranging make a difference! Guess the truth will be in the tasting.



Marbling is amazing!



As were the various shades of pink flesh... truely free range