The new residents of the Sty!

So now the building is all washed out and clean, time for new residents, and here they are!! very cute I think!!.
We went down to meet Farmer Chris, as he is known to his visitors, at Hesketh Farm Park, Bolton Abbey and we came home with these four. They are by a Pietrain Boar called Arnold, but I didnt ask their mothers name so can't tell you that one.
They really are very funny to watch, quite characters, and only 9 weeks old. They spent the first 15 mins just investigating the shed and then they discovered the big pile of straw I had put in for their bed and they had a great root about in there, chattering away to each other all the time. However if you sneak up on then they just immediately stop talking and stand perfectly still like a game of musical statues. One I have discovered just loves having its back scratched so I may not get any work done now!!!

My new Pigs!

Ive wanted some pigs for ages, Chris has taken a bit of persuading but today was the day!! We set off this morning to Craven Cattle Mart at Skipton as we/I had seen some weaners advertised. We got there just in time and although there was a penful of pigs I was able to pick the Gilts (females) out of them and managed to get all 3. So here they are now living next door to my hens at Scaife Hall farm! Happy days!!

These pigs are a cross breed and have a Middle White Mother and a Pietrain father. The Pietrain is a breed originating in Belgium and known for its high yields of lean meat.
The Middle White is a rare but distinctive breed and has been described as a "beautifully ugly" pig . Japan has paid tribute to the breed by erecting a monument to the Middle White "for its outstanding eating qualities"and it is still popular in that country.

These little pigs were born on August Bank Holiday at Hesketh Farm Park, Bolton Abbey so are very used to being with and near people so they seem quiet and relaxed. Ive been and bought them some food, they've had dinner, theres a large bed of straw to sleep in, what more could they want? Except perhaps some table manners but as they seem to want to stand in their food I dont think this is something they are going to learn any time soon!! What a life !