Thursday, June 25, 2009
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
June 15 to 21st
It was a pretty in depth description of raising hogs. We've learned a lot of over the years and hopefully were able to pass on some of that knowledge. This way the learning curve won't be so steep for others.
Pig pushers make it easier to herd pigs. The ones pictured above are made from half sheets of plywood.
Pigs can get a gate to come off its hinges by lifting up on the bottom. A flat washer and hose clamp fixes this problem.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
The Second Week of June
Summer squash transplants, summer squash doesn't ship well, most of the stuff in the grocery store looks like it fell off the truck. We usually grow and sell quite a bit of summer squash.
Yellow nutsedge is a tough weed to get rid of. Its main method of propagation is through small tubers called nutlets. If that wasn't bad enough it can also spread by rhizomes.
Lettuce is our only vegetable crop at the moment. We've had a cool spring so the season has lasted a little longer.
Rinsing to remove field heat and dirt a good stainless steel sink makes life a lot easier. We sell our lettuce to a couple local restaurants, the food co-op, and a small grocery store.
The future home for the meat birds. They'll have the opportunity to run around outside (if they feel inclined to do so). Meat birds (Cornish rock crosses) are bred to eat and put on weight. They're lethargic compared to egg birds.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Good and Bad Pigs
Genetics is a major part of raising pigs. If you have poor genetics, or what we call Heinz 57 pigs (genetically they contain a little bit of everything), then they won't fill out real well. The pig above is to narrow and kind of scrawny for its age.
On the other hand really fat pigs aren't desirable. This one has way to much fat, despite being approximately the same age. Both have been on the same diet.
Here's younger but really nice looking Hereford hog. He's wide and well muscled in the shoulders and hindquarters.
Top view, investigating my boot. The Herefords are inquisitive and friendly.
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