Moving day

The BIG move is done! We moved all the big pigs! Now the big pigs are in the yard in the back of the barn and the piglets are in the front (sharing an area with the chickens). The move was great! Thanks to Annie Murray-Close, Keith Burt, Emily Albarillo (who came all the way from NY city!), Waldo Siple and Mary Siple!!! It was fun (but ... we may have a different definition of fun from most people.) The pigs easily followed from the lower field at the Silver Street Farm all the way to the horse barn where Waldo perfectly backed up the animal trailer we borrowed. It took quite a bit to get them from there to the trailer itself ... and I have learned something valuable: pigs do not like slopes! They are much more likely to go up a step, as long as not too high, than they are to go up a ramp, even if the ramp has a very gentle slope.The slowest of all was Spots. She really wanted to check out the situation first. After the other pigs got into the trailer and started enjoying the hay, the bread, and the water, she decided it was cool to try herself and dutifully stepped into the trailer. I guess another piece of advice for anyone out there wanting to move pigs: do not rush and do not force an adult pig to do things that are completely against its will. We were gentle and calm the entire time. As soon as Spots started complaining because she was feeling forced, we backed off. There is no way you will win a fight with a hog, so be mindful, sweet, and calm. It is an exercise in zen :) oh the things pigs teach you!!