I have forever loved pigs. Always always, since I was little. I have stuff felt pigs hanging on my dashboard, wooden pigs all throughout my house (a-lot of which are family heirlooms, read on to figure out why) and have always dreamed of having my own little pigs on my farm.
Late last Wednesday afternoon I had a nanna nap, and when I woke up, Ben was pulling in the driveway... he came inside and yelled for me to come downstairs because there was something he wanted to show me.... and then there were two baby piglets in my living room. I screamed, alot - and cried with happiness. I have always joked and begged Ben to get pigs, but I NEVER EVER thought he would actually give in.
His sister and him organised to get them for me as a surprise. A bloody great one at that.
My nanna grew up in Penguin, Tasmania on the biggest pig farm in the Southern Hemisphere - I dont know if that has something to do with it, maybe a love of pigs is in my blood? I went to see a clairvoyant a few years ago, and she talked a-lot about my great grandmas love of watching over me - she said apparently I was her "chosen one to guide". In the house I grew up in, we had a painting of the Pig Farm on the wall, the house which my nanna grew up in. I will always remember the moment the clairvoyant said, "your great grandma is telling me that you have a picture of her house on your walls".... how could anyone know that?. Today a thought passed my mind that maybe she sent pigs my way because she missed seeing them.
Kevin and Roy are miniature piglets, (no, not teacup pigs - they dont exist, if anyone tries to sell you one of these, they're lying) - meaning they will grow to about 60cm high and wide, so not enormous, but not little either. They are still very young, around 5 weeks old and were weaned and vet checked before we received them.
At the moment they live on a diet of pellets, organic goats milk and organic greek yoghurt (yes I know, dont laugh, i've bought woolies out). After another week they will move onto just pellets and at twelve weeks we can start to introduce lots of fresh fruit and vegetables into their diet. They currently sleep in a portable baby crib filled with hay and a big water bowl, this stays in-front of the fire overnight so they stay nice and warm. I clean this out every morning so its nice and fresh for them. At the moment they are living the dream, strolling between outside and inside and basking in the sunlight. I am in the process of house toilet training them, but they wont need this skill for much longer.
We will be building them a pig pen and house, where eventually as the days get warmer and they grow a bit bigger/fatter they will move into. They will be let out to graze around the farm often for a few hours so they will have lots of room to enjoy... however im sure every now and then they'll sneak up to the house for a cuddle or two.
They are very snuggling little friends, they LOVE to nudge/root you with their noses which is a sign of affection, (they like doing this to each-other as well), they love belly scratches and will flop straight over as soon as you start- and when they're feeling sleepy, they'll sniff you out and crawl into your lap for a nap. At night before we head to bed they have been sleeping on our laps on the couch... i'm sure they wont be happy when we have to give this up.
They had their first check ups at the vets on Saturday morning, safe to say the VET staff were a bit excited to meet them. They were wormed, and booked in for de-sexing in a few weeks time. Although we've only had them for a few days, I have fallen head over heels in love with them. I feel very protective of them, and worry about them ALLL the time, i've spent so much time on mini pig advice pages to make sure their getting the proper nutrients and were doing all the right things by them. They are a bit of work at this age, just like a puppy, but as they get older and move into their new piggy home I know things will get into an easier routine.
They can live up to 20 years of age... which means they could live until Heath hits MY age, can you believe it!! I do hope they live a long, happy and healthy little life here on the Laycock Farm. They have bought much joy and laughter to us already in the short amount of time they've been here, so I cant imagine how much they will fill our hearts over their lifetime.
Welcome to our world little piggies, your gonna be so loved.
(While I write this, they are both asleep in my lap. Its a pigs life)
L xx
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