Never fails! Weather is brutal! We just got 2 - 4 month old weaned piglets and we’re having single digit days and subzero nights! Can’t imagine having newborns! Stay safe!
Tieing the cord in a knot on the heat lamp can also cause a fire. Every time you create a loop or knot in a cord will cause heat and could possibly cause a fire. Maybe try a zip tie on the cord and place around the chain. I wouldn’t want anything to happen to the pig and babies. So exciting to have babies on the farm. We get our breeding pair this year!
I came on to say the same thing, I use a chain from the hanging loop on lamp to a wooden roof support, fastened so it can’t be knocked off or dislodged.
I live in NE North Dakota. We have had sows have babies in the winter outside (typical winter is -10 to -20 below without wind chill). LOTS of straw, no heat lamps. 😉 also when pressure changes, never fails they will labor.
That end bit where Charlie was enjoying his back scratches was the best thing I've seen on RUclips all week! You all do such a great job caring for your animals. Those pigs are so obviously content and living their best life.
@Donna di Lode I encourage you to keep watching. It will begin to make sense once you hear it explained well. The homesteading community/videos often talk about how they differentiate between the two conditions of animals raised as pets and those raised for food. The distance you talk about needing in order to eat meat also comes with distance from knowing what conditions the animal you're eating was raised in, what it ate, and how it was treated. As you watch more homesteading videos, it'll become clear that they all feel it's their responsibility, because they are meat eaters, to be close to their animals; to provide safe and clean living conditions, humane treatment, and good nutrition.
Suuuuuper dangerous! Please please please look into a safer method to hang the light. That kink in the line is a HUGE fire hazard especially because the cold will make the line more brittle and prone to crack and expose wiring. Hope you guys are safe, I’m sending positive thoughts your way!
We always put pens close enough together to use the gates as the blocking for the alleyway. Swing them in opposite directions to close up both sides. Love how Charlie does the *Happy Pig Shimmy* when you scratch his back.
Heat lamps and fires make me so nervous.. Look into radiant heat panels for later on. You can get them in a ton of sizes, they can work off thermostats and are a LOT safer. We have a few for raising chicks, rescuing reptiles and other things.
Yep, same thing happened with our lambing...birthing happened during a frigid below zero cold spell and daughter helped reverse a lamb that was blocking birth canal, with her jacket off so she could get her arm in the birth canals and maneuver it around. Was so proud of her
I use a plug that has a thermostat in it. It turns on when it drops below 45. It will save you money by not having a heat lamp on all the time. Looking forward to seeing your piglets.
Hope all goes well! My neighbor who is a fireman and my electrician both informed me any kink in a wire carrying electricity causes the current to be interrupted....it also causes the wire to heat up drastically ultimately causing the wire to burn through . The other comment below is correct in keeping the wire straight using zip ties with no kinks....hope that helps. Stay safe and warm❤️
Correct. We are ham radio operators. Electricity is our specialty. No loops or kinks in the cord please! I would hate to see this lesson learned the hard way. Please use zip ties to hold the cord to its support.
If it is wire strands inside the insulation, bending and kinking can cause them to break inside - can't tell by looking at the wire. This raises the resistance causing heat and possible fire. Love that you do so much to keep your critters safe n warm! Learning is a life long process and glad y'all share so much. Looks like the next project will be a pig massager brush Lol! (look up cow rollers...). Stay warm and cannot wait for piglets! 🌟❤
I have always said the one thing I would never raise was hogs , but seeing these of yours if I could get that breed to raise I surely would. My grandfather raised hogs when I was a young girl but they were mean and you could never get around the boar hog he was so mean. these of yours are so sweet and to be able to go into their pen to work on things is amazing. Kevin you are so clever at the way you have figured out all your pens and such. That heat lamp idea was so smart. You both are really in the teaching others part of your homesteading now. Good for you, and God Bless you both and your beautiful daughters.
Wow, so much great work done and such a fine and well thought out set up for the pigs! I felt a little bummed Myrtle lost her sunny sheltered nap spot when the board went up. Too bad there wasn't a better way to block the artic wind, let the passive solar in (free heat) AND a big pig can't tear down. Those pigs are so happy and cared for. I'm excited to see the piglets! Oh, its supposed to be -17°F (not including the windchill) in Minnesota tonight; I know you guys miss this, lol! 😜
It always makes me happy to see how peaceful and happy your animals are, and the good relationship you have with them. Even though you will be eating them for meat, you care enough to make sure that they will only have one bad day their entire lives.
I am sure if Charlie saw the lamp hanging by its wire he would not allow his significant others and his off spring to be any where near it. I can assure you your fire insurance carrier and liability carrier would not approve and red flag it in a second. I like the freedom you have on your farm, just want you to be safe. Take care. Bill
Have raised 100s of pigs throughout 50 years. Have used barn births, farrowing crates, and just letting her go when she starts nesting. For us, with spots, hamps, and durocs or crosses, as hard as it was initially, was letting her go when she first starts nesting. She will build a great big nest of twigs. If she is given some straw just outside the nest, she will line it with it. She knows how much she wants and where. No heat lamps. It is really awesome to watch her do her thing. There usually no lost or squashed piglets. Good luck.
Love it! Those are some comfy pigs. ♥️ The end made me think of a project; take the old mini hoop hut that you made (& Charlie ate the tarp) & attach a bunch of brushes from the dollar store. Like a car wash style scratch tunnel.
Hi Guys- I really enjoy our videos. I have a farm here in central NYS, milked jerseys for many years and now I raise heifers, sell produce and baked goods at our small local market, and play the organ in two churches. We had pigs for a bit in the nineties- a heat mat on the floor is better than a lamp, and you can get them that fit into a corner. It would also keep the cord away from the sow- she could reach over and grab that cord- I know someone that lost their guernsey show heifer when she bit through a plugged in cord- good luck! Be prepared for some losses, it can happen no matter what you do. Tina Shields
There are heaters that are not lamps that are a safer alternative like those heaters for baby chicks.. sows are sometimes very nervous when giving birth and don’t stand still you don’t want anything that she might bang into or get tangled in.
I've been raising pigs for the last 20 years. That poor sow is dropping sooner rather than later. Also DON'T USE HEAT LAMPS!! The risk of burning down your barn and losing your stock is too great. One of my neighbors lost her entire goat herd and a lot tools using a heat lamp this time of year.
She's such a purdy pig!! Have you seen those "Grooming Gloves" they have for pets? Dogs, horses, cats, goats, cows, and now PIGS! Charley would love all the nubs on them! It takes out all the loose hair. Our dogs & cats love them! What a well thought out setup for the pigs! GOD bless
I love how well you care for your animals. I know you’ve said they aren’t pets, but you still make sure they have affection, and entertainment. ❤️ Can’t wait to see the piglets.
I’m not a homesteader but I absolutely love your videos! You both are great teachers whether it’s animals, gardening, or preserving food I learn from you. Some people tend to ramble or repeat and I just get tired of listening. I’m a “get to the point” person! Thank you for sharing your knowledge along with the good, bad, and ugly! ❤️
I agree. Lots of straw, then they likely won't need a lamp at all. Also, I would use heavier boards to reinforce that plywood sheet. You have a 300 lbs sow lean against it, and it may break. And if the lamp is hanging there, you have a fire hazard, and potentially a shock hazard for the sow.
Really liked you sharing the logistics about the baby pigs and seeing the new pens and all the work you have done, but really, Charlie stole the show this time! Best, Liz
I love the pig feeding stations. I always fed pigs in a trough. Seeing some farmers dump dry grain/food scraps in the dirt bothers me, farm animals deserve respect and you guys are the best when it comes to that, thank you. We love your videos, looking forward to seeing the piglets!
Good luck with that heat lamp. You need a higher wall and raise the lamp. Check the temp on the ground to see what you're getting. You don't want too much heat so the piglets don't get chilled when going out to nurse.
My husband & I are new to your channel and we just wanted to say that we LOVE how you two work together! We have planning our own little homestead & have been learning so much from you two! We are finally picking out our little piece of land this year after having to wait because of covid. We have been planning between 2 states to settle in, 1 is Kentucky other is Missouri ( in Ozarks)! We've been watching & saw how cold🤢 it's been. Stay strong & warm! We plan on staying long life subscribers to your channel & THANK YOU for all of your help! 🤗
Great setup for the pig...one suggestion - at the top at the back of the stall it will be really drafty. We live in Eastern Ontario and know from experience the wind will whistle right through there and be quite cold on the babies. Also...perhaps check the temp at the floor level under the heat lamp, it looks maybe a bit low? All the best for a safe delivery, thank you for your videos, we've been watching since the start and have learned a lot from you both!!
@@LivingTraditionsHomestead 2 foot above is the rule most suggest I only use one in my house I built pvc stand hang light from n thare screen cover over the Box so the baby CAN'T hit it n never coil or tie a cord it acts like a restire n can cose a fire I have 30 baby goats in last week Lol I us to like in northern Wisconsin we raised hogs We had a heated faroing house 45 faroing crates But that's not way I want to raise my animals
@@LivingTraditionsHomestead did you get a couple of safer heat lamps,? might not be a big deal to you, but it sure seems to be important to most of your viewers !!??
It used to coldest in Jan for Virginia and North Carolina. We're in NC now and It has been the coldest Feb. We even got a little snow at the tail end of Jan. Winter has finally hit. Charlie's a hoot. Loves those scratches, grunts with contentment, he's happy.
Pigs, pigs why did it have to be pigs!! Lol you are doing a grand job . Looking forward to a new year of your adventure. Thank you so much for allowing us to join you. God Bless.
If you want to hang that heat lamp set up a little safer, run the chain through a piece foam pipe insulation, (is split lengthwise so will wrap around chain easily)...... a zip tie, (maybe 2) loosely around the foam just to run the cord through to support the cord only,...... then hang the light separately with one of those ratchet hangers from the lamp base to the chain. This way, The cord isn't supporting any weight, or looped around anything, Never comes in contact with any metal, The ratchet hanger is easily adjustable as may be needed. Shouldn't take more than 10 minutes, a $5 or $10 bill, and Voila! Done! You could use another piece of chain that you already have, to hang the light. Nice set up on new pig pen layouts. Much more efficient moving forward. TYFS, Stay Safe and Well Mark and Rosa
We got our first litter of piglets in March 1974, -20°F, we did not have heat in the barn and it was a miracle that we didn't lose them all. It was scary, but we soon learned that sows normally have a sort of fever after giving birth to keep their babies warm their first hours. My dad did use heat lamps for the pigs, he made a barrier in one corner of the pens to protect the lamp. Piglets would stay under the lamp and out of mama's way. Sometimes cats would take advantage of the heat too. We eventually got crates for the sows, seriously they didn't seem to mind as when they're pigging and nursing they're not inclined to do anything but eat sleep and nurse anyway.
Hi Sarah and Kevin, I had watch Charlie 5 times walking over to the big dish and tipping it and looking in it, it was funny, it was like he was a robot. Great work in getting the pen ready.
JudithB we raised Duroc and Yorkshire hogs a couple of years. We built an area for the piglets and filled it with hay. They burrowed in and did just fine in Feb Ozark weather changes.
Charlie was loving the back scratches, fat and happy, ahhh that's the life, lol. It's nice the way you both work together on projects. Thanks for sharing.
If its going to get that cold I would put some plywood on top that piglet warm space that will hold the heat in. She should get close to it to have her pigs and if it is that cold coming from 100+ degree environment in moms womb to -0 degrees could be a big shock to piglets. If heat isn't spread out a little piglets will pile on top each other and weak ones (runts) at the bottom can be injured or suffocated. Good Luck and Blessings
Look at Charlie ! He loves that back scratch ! 😃 It’s just wonderful how y’all put so much planning , care and love into caring for the pigs ! Be blessed and favored always 🙏🏽❤️
Hi, nice family! Stay warm and safe! I remember my mother used to bring the piglets inside when the weather was very cold, meaning -10 , -15 degrees C.
We had a heat lamp over some puppies in our barn, many years ago, the light was securely hung...and the barn burned down. The heat was so great it killed animals (pot bellied pigs) 40-50 feet away that were in a corral. The only thing in the barn that didn’t burn was a stack of hay!! It was so hot it turned the glass in windows to liquid. Melted steel rims on a car parked in the barn. We thought the concrete floor would survive but the heat popped up the concrete and ruined it also. This was a 30-40 year old barn. We were Devastated. Later learned that there was a safety bulb from France, there was a heating pad made for pigs also, but that was years ago, don’t know if they still make them. Good luck and I love your videos.
Nice. My only concern, and perhaps you have already addressed this off camera...is when she gives birth, those piglets are going to be wet and if the air temps are around 0 that is going to be a problem. I personally would make her area smaller, put some kind of tarp or covering over it and add another heat lamp and warm that area up as well. After the piglets are dried and have found their way to the even warmer area you set up, you could remove the lamp. I would also be cautious about letting her have full access to outside when she is getting ready to farrow
Aww! Charlie is so docile for a mature boar! If you can find them in your area, I bet they’d love a street sweeper brush to rub against. Good luck with your upcoming farrowing!
Heat rises, you should trap the heat and seal off the area. In the other sealed off portion of the sealed off area you can set a heat mat on the ground for piglets to get away from mom. They will get laid on when the lay near mom for warmth. Looks pretty good. Maybe a lid on the little cuby
We farrow in an insulated barn in crates. We use heat lamps too, and it's the scariest part of the whole thing. We have to load pigs in 8 days and we are not ready! Can't wait to see the babies 😍
The new attachment for your drill is a great investment. I've used one many times. Yeah it looks like it's fixing to get super Cold. Check on the babies regularly they will stay with mom if your not careful. It will take a little time to get them use to the light.
Sup MR Danny It suppsta be 18 Monday night whith wind chill of 6 here in mouth Mississippi I got 30 baby goats all whith in a week only lost 2 n 1 of them wus still birth go 2 on bottle one first kidding n one from a quad My cow are good 2 new calf One hive dead but the uther one doing really good put out 5 new this year n got acona duck ordered I have replaced chicken got just last spoke but I have 2 live stock guarden dogs now n all coops In the pascher n my female l.g.d. Will jump the fence it thare a threat as man at the farm office Found out I told him he need keep his dogs up I still wach your video's Have a blessed DAY N stay safe in these trying time's
Just wanted you to know that your video on cast iron pans inspired me to buy a Lodge dutch oven !! I bought it used during an online auction (from trusted people I have bought from before), so I'll have to season it - and thanks to your video, I know I'll do it right! Thank you so much!
Weather bah humm bug. Planning like you do is great. But knuckle balls and curve balls are "game changers". Best of luck with the preps for the kiddos, appreciate all you share, May God Bless and keep you. Thank you
oh my goodness..... Charlie is a HAM.... lol Super sweet mellow breed. Thanks for sharing all that you do. I enjoy you including your how to build or repair parts of the videos.
When I was growing up my granddaddy build a pig pen for his sows. Nothing has nice as yours. I am just amazed how you guys are always thinking the best things for your animals. Your good people. I love it.
Right there with ya. We hoped to snag the typical warm spell we get in Feb for our doe to kid and instead its gonna be freezing cold....oh well. Live and learn. Good luck piggie!
Put some red wigglers on your hay bale and maybe some juicy stuff and it will make it's own pig food farm! All their favorites, bugs,grubs, worms and dirt! In my operation, Charlie is on the barbi as soon as the girls are bred. One of his sons will take his place, or be traded for another boar piglet. Sows get replaced after the second farrowing,and on it goes. Only feeding stock during the growth phase, not maintaining a giant frame of 450 lbs!
A friendly suggestion: if your pig pens are close enough, you can make the gates open in opposite directions so that, when you open the gates, they will block off your passageway between the two pens and the pigs can walk freely from one pen to the other without having to go get a cattle panel.
You need a good deep bed to keep them warm and the heat lamp should be quite a bit higher, it’s possible to burn the young piglets when it’s too low. You only need it to take the edge off the cold, the main warmth will come from the bedding. Also pigs HATE to mess in their bed, so Myrtle might get a bit stressed if she can’t get outside.
At least you have a nice barn to farrow your sows in. I did mine in field huts and had 24 inches of snow at one point, miserable weather. Because of the weather I had one gilt smash 6 of the piglets in a 14 pig litter. Poor girl did not have enough room to lay down with her babies in the field hut.
Wild Alaskan Homestead here, just wanted to suggest turning Charlie's shelter to face south so he gets the southern exposure for warmth.
Knot in a cord is NOT a good idea. I'd suggest a better hanging system with No kinks or tight spots on the cord.
I agree with you!
Never fails! Weather is brutal! We just got 2 - 4 month old weaned piglets and we’re having single digit days and subzero nights! Can’t imagine having newborns! Stay safe!
Tieing the cord in a knot on the heat lamp can also cause a fire. Every time you create a loop or knot in a cord will cause heat and could possibly cause a fire. Maybe try a zip tie on the cord and place around the chain. I wouldn’t want anything to happen to the pig and babies. So exciting to have babies on the farm. We get our breeding pair this year!
I hope they see this
Hubby said the same thing. Take care x
Good Advice
I came on to say the same thing, I use a chain from the hanging loop on lamp to a wooden roof support, fastened so it can’t be knocked off or dislodged.
My first thought, down chain to lamp with zero stress on cord.
I always give my momma pigs a bunch of straw, they make nest when they're ready to have their babies, is wonderful to watch❤️
I live in NE North Dakota. We have had sows have babies in the winter outside (typical winter is -10 to -20 below without wind chill). LOTS of straw, no heat lamps. 😉 also when pressure changes, never fails they will labor.
That end bit where Charlie was enjoying his back scratches was the best thing I've seen on RUclips all week! You all do such a great job caring for your animals. Those pigs are so obviously content and living their best life.
@Donna di Lode I encourage you to keep watching. It will begin to make sense once you hear it explained well. The homesteading community/videos often talk about how they differentiate between the two conditions of animals raised as pets and those raised for food. The distance you talk about needing in order to eat meat also comes with distance from knowing what conditions the animal you're eating was raised in, what it ate, and how it was treated. As you watch more homesteading videos, it'll become clear that they all feel it's their responsibility, because they are meat eaters, to be close to their animals; to provide safe and clean living conditions, humane treatment, and good nutrition.
Suuuuuper dangerous! Please please please look into a safer method to hang the light. That kink in the line is a HUGE fire hazard especially because the cold will make the line more brittle and prone to crack and expose wiring.
Hope you guys are safe, I’m sending positive thoughts your way!
We always put pens close enough together to use the gates as the blocking for the alleyway. Swing them in opposite directions to close up both sides.
Love how Charlie does the *Happy Pig Shimmy* when you scratch his back.
Heat lamps and fires make me so nervous.. Look into radiant heat panels for later on. You can get them in a ton of sizes, they can work off thermostats and are a LOT safer. We have a few for raising chicks, rescuing reptiles and other things.
I would hang the heat lamp by the metal loop that's on top of the light and don't tie the cord in a knot.
Watching on Feb. 9 and it was 5 degrees last night in St. Louis☹
Yep, same thing happened with our lambing...birthing happened during a frigid below zero cold spell and daughter helped reverse a lamb that was blocking birth canal, with her jacket off so she could get her arm in the birth canals and maneuver it around. Was so proud of her
I use a plug that has a thermostat in it. It turns on when it drops below 45. It will save you money by not having a heat lamp on all the time. Looking forward to seeing your piglets.
Hope all goes well! My neighbor who is a fireman and my electrician both informed me any kink in a wire carrying electricity causes the current to be interrupted....it also causes the wire to heat up drastically ultimately causing the wire to burn through . The other comment below is correct in keeping the wire straight using zip ties with no kinks....hope that helps. Stay safe and warm❤️
Correct. We are ham radio operators. Electricity is our specialty. No loops or kinks in the cord please! I would hate to see this lesson learned the hard way. Please use zip ties to hold the cord to its support.
If it is wire strands inside the insulation, bending and kinking can cause them to break inside - can't tell by looking at the wire. This raises the resistance causing heat and possible fire. Love that you do so much to keep your critters safe n warm! Learning is a life long process and glad y'all share so much. Looks like the next project will be a pig massager brush Lol! (look up cow rollers...). Stay warm and cannot wait for piglets! 🌟❤
I have always said the one thing I would never raise was hogs , but seeing these of yours if I could get that breed to raise I surely would. My grandfather raised hogs when I was a young girl but they were mean and you could never get around the boar hog he was so mean. these of yours are so sweet and to be able to go into their pen to work on things is amazing. Kevin you are so clever at the way you have figured out all your pens and such. That heat lamp idea was so smart. You both are really in the teaching others part of your homesteading now. Good for you, and God Bless you both and your beautiful daughters.
You two are such a inspiration as well as a blessing ,You're always in my prayers.
Wow, so much great work done and such a fine and well thought out set up for the pigs! I felt a little bummed Myrtle lost her sunny sheltered nap spot when the board went up. Too bad there wasn't a better way to block the artic wind, let the passive solar in (free heat) AND a big pig can't tear down. Those pigs are so happy and cared for. I'm excited to see the piglets!
Oh, its supposed to be -17°F (not including the windchill) in Minnesota tonight; I know you guys miss this, lol! 😜
It never fails, when the weather is the worst then momma's decided to have their babies. Well that's how it goes on our farm anyway, lol.
It always makes me happy to see how peaceful and happy your animals are, and the good relationship you have with them. Even though you will be eating them for meat, you care enough to make sure that they will only have one bad day their entire lives.
I like that metal cutting attachment for the drill. That made short work of cutting the metal sheeting.
Love how thoughtful and caring you are towards the animals. Charlie loves being scratched.
Never hang a lamp of any kind by the cord. Use a chain to hang the lamp also. Hanging by the cord is a recipe for disaster.
Yes!
I am sure if Charlie saw the lamp hanging by its wire he would not allow his significant others and his off spring to be any where near it. I can assure you your fire insurance carrier and liability carrier would not approve and red flag it in a second. I like the freedom you have on your farm, just want you to be safe. Take care. Bill
Absolutely!!! That’s a real problem.
@@stokely418 Well, it has the potential to have a real problem.
I was coming in to say PLEASE don’t hang any appliance by its power cord. That is merely courting disaster.
Have raised 100s of pigs throughout 50 years. Have used barn births, farrowing crates, and just letting her go when she starts nesting. For us, with spots, hamps, and durocs or crosses, as hard as it was initially, was letting her go when she first starts nesting. She will build a great big nest of twigs. If she is given some straw just outside the nest, she will line it with it. She knows how much she wants and where. No heat lamps. It is really awesome to watch her do her thing. There usually no lost or squashed piglets. Good luck.
Love it! Those are some comfy pigs. ♥️ The end made me think of a project; take the old mini hoop hut that you made (& Charlie ate the tarp) & attach a bunch of brushes from the dollar store. Like a car wash style scratch tunnel.
Great idea. I'd like to have one nailed up so I could use it when the bugs are biting.
I was thinking the same thing! Charlie needs a luxurious scratching post or something! :)
@@heathershomestead7612 I think that bale will do just that. They make good back scratchers once they start rubbing on it
Hi Guys- I really enjoy our videos. I have a farm here in central NYS, milked jerseys for many years and now I raise heifers, sell produce and baked goods at our small local market, and play the organ in two churches. We had pigs for a bit in the nineties- a heat mat on the floor is better than a lamp, and you can get them that fit into a corner. It would also keep the cord away from the sow- she could reach over and grab that cord- I know someone that lost their guernsey show heifer when she bit through a plugged in cord- good luck! Be prepared for some losses, it can happen no matter what you do. Tina Shields
There are heaters that are not lamps that are a safer alternative like those heaters for baby chicks.. sows are sometimes very nervous when giving birth and don’t stand still you don’t want anything that she might bang into or get tangled in.
That tin snip was nifty !
The best part- watching Charlie enjoy his back rub!
Charlie is just so sweet! ❤️🥰🐽
I've been raising pigs for the last 20 years. That poor sow is dropping sooner rather than later. Also DON'T USE HEAT LAMPS!! The risk of burning down your barn and losing your stock is too great. One of my neighbors lost her entire goat herd and a lot tools using a heat lamp this time of year.
Always enjoy your videos. The end with Charlie had me chuckling out load.
She's such a purdy pig!!
Have you seen those "Grooming Gloves" they have for pets? Dogs, horses, cats, goats, cows, and now PIGS! Charley would love all the nubs on them! It takes out all the loose hair. Our dogs & cats love them!
What a well thought out setup for the pigs! GOD bless
I love how well you care for your animals. I know you’ve said they aren’t pets, but you still make sure they have affection, and entertainment. ❤️ Can’t wait to see the piglets.
This was a very relaxing video to watch. I learn little things with each one you both make. Thank you for always saying a blessing at the end.🚜🍻
Charlie is possibly my spirit animal 🤣😂😂🤣
Sun, sleep, eat and back scratches!!!🤣🤣😂😂🤣🤣
Love watching you scratch Charlie's back and how much he loves it😊🐖
I’m not a homesteader but I absolutely love your videos! You both are great teachers whether it’s animals, gardening, or preserving food I learn from you. Some people tend to ramble or repeat and I just get tired of listening. I’m a “get to the point” person! Thank you for sharing your knowledge along with the good, bad, and ugly! ❤️
Pigs like to burrow under straw and keep warm. They need more in their house
I agree. Lots of straw, then they likely won't need a lamp at all. Also, I would use heavier boards to reinforce that plywood sheet. You have a 300 lbs sow lean against it, and it may break. And if the lamp is hanging there, you have a fire hazard, and potentially a shock hazard for the sow.
Really liked you sharing the logistics about the baby pigs and seeing the new pens and all the work you have done, but really, Charlie stole the show this time! Best, Liz
I love the pig feeding stations. I always fed pigs in a trough. Seeing some farmers dump dry grain/food scraps in the dirt bothers me, farm animals deserve respect and you guys are the best when it comes to that, thank you. We love your videos, looking forward to seeing the piglets!
Wow the piglets are coming what a valentines gift , going to be a long night for you guys. Can't wait to see the little one's. Stay warm God bless 🤗
I think it would be better to take the knot out of the cord, but what do I know? Lol. Fringes crossed for a safe delivery and good health for Myrtle.
Good luck with that heat lamp. You need a higher wall and raise the lamp. Check the temp on the ground to see what you're getting. You don't want too much heat so the piglets don't get chilled when going out to nurse.
My husband & I are new to your channel and we just wanted to say that we LOVE how you two work together! We have planning our own little homestead & have been learning so much from you two! We are finally picking out our little piece of land this year after having to wait because of covid. We have been planning between 2 states to settle in, 1 is Kentucky other is Missouri ( in Ozarks)! We've been watching & saw how cold🤢 it's been. Stay strong & warm! We plan on staying long life subscribers to your channel & THANK YOU for all of your help! 🤗
In the last 10 years, February has been the coldest month for us here in Dallas. Glad you’re getting more ready. Charlie is just the coolest pig.
Great setup for the pig...one suggestion - at the top at the back of the stall it will be really drafty. We live in Eastern Ontario and know from experience the wind will whistle right through there and be quite cold on the babies. Also...perhaps check the temp at the floor level under the heat lamp, it looks maybe a bit low? All the best for a safe delivery, thank you for your videos, we've been watching since the start and have learned a lot from you both!!
buying a thermometer for our there today!
@@LivingTraditionsHomestead 2 foot above is the rule most suggest I only use one in my house I built pvc stand hang light from n thare screen cover over the
Box so the baby CAN'T hit it n never coil or tie a cord it acts like a restire n can cose a fire
I have 30 baby goats in last week
Lol I us to like in northern Wisconsin we raised hogs
We had a heated faroing house 45 faroing crates
But that's not way I want to raise my animals
@@LivingTraditionsHomestead did you get a couple of safer heat lamps,? might not be a big deal to you, but it sure seems to be important to most of your viewers !!??
Aw how sweet !! It's a like a cozy manger !! You both do good work and so cute together!!
It used to coldest in Jan for Virginia and North Carolina. We're in NC now and It has been the coldest Feb. We even got a little snow at the tail end of Jan. Winter has finally hit. Charlie's a hoot. Loves those scratches, grunts with contentment, he's happy.
That’s such a great setup for the pigs. I can’t wait to see the babies. God bless y’all.
Pigs, pigs why did it have to be pigs!! Lol you are doing a grand job . Looking forward to a new year of your adventure. Thank you so much for allowing us to join you. God Bless.
I can hardly wait to see the piglets! My dad raised pigs when I was little. The piglets were so cute.
I can't wait to see the piglets.
If you want to hang that heat lamp set up a little safer, run the chain through
a piece foam pipe insulation, (is split lengthwise so will wrap around chain
easily)...... a zip tie, (maybe 2) loosely around the foam just to run the cord
through to support the cord only,...... then hang the light separately with one
of those ratchet hangers from the lamp base to the chain. This way,
The cord isn't supporting any weight, or looped around anything,
Never comes in contact with any metal,
The ratchet hanger is easily adjustable as may be needed.
Shouldn't take more than 10 minutes, a $5 or $10 bill, and Voila! Done!
You could use another piece of chain that you already have, to hang the light.
Nice set up on new pig pen layouts. Much more efficient moving forward.
TYFS, Stay Safe and Well
Mark and Rosa
We got our first litter of piglets in March 1974, -20°F, we did not have heat in the barn and it was a miracle that we didn't lose them all. It was scary, but we soon learned that sows normally have a sort of fever after giving birth to keep their babies warm their first hours. My dad did use heat lamps for the pigs, he made a barrier in one corner of the pens to protect the lamp. Piglets would stay under the lamp and out of mama's way. Sometimes cats would take advantage of the heat too. We eventually got crates for the sows, seriously they didn't seem to mind as when they're pigging and nursing they're not inclined to do anything but eat sleep and nurse anyway.
Love the way you guys take time to explain everything so well! Learning loads from you!
You have such compassion for your animals!
Sending you guys love from Mid Wales UK 💜💜💜
The end with Charlie was perfect!! Was that dance called the "ham bone"? I know too porky sounding, lol! Blessings y'all!
Hi Sarah and Kevin, I had watch Charlie 5 times walking over to the big dish and tipping it and looking in it, it was funny, it was like he was a robot. Great work in getting the pen ready.
The best laid plans of Mice and Men!
JudithB we raised Duroc and Yorkshire hogs a couple of years. We built an area for the piglets and filled it with hay. They burrowed in and did just fine in Feb Ozark weather changes.
Charlie was loving the back scratches, fat and happy, ahhh that's the life, lol. It's nice the way you both work together on projects. Thanks for sharing.
If its going to get that cold I would put some plywood on top that piglet warm space that will hold the heat in. She should get close to it to have her pigs and if it is that cold coming from 100+ degree environment in moms womb to -0 degrees could be a big shock to piglets. If heat isn't spread out a little piglets will pile on top each other and weak ones (runts) at the bottom can be injured or suffocated. Good Luck and Blessings
Of course Myrtle would be the one with a pregnancy Fertile Myrtle 😁
Love how they love being scratched. Lol. Like big dogs.
Look at Charlie ! He loves that back scratch ! 😃 It’s just wonderful how y’all put so much planning , care and love into caring for the pigs ! Be blessed and favored always 🙏🏽❤️
Nice set up/configuration for the pig pens. Charlie is a big puppy dog. Back scratches are the best.. I like his grunts 😃 Take care & stay warm.
Here in TN, February is our worst month of bad weather! Glad to see that you are going to get ready for the births!! GOD bless
can’t wait to see the new babies!!!
Hi, nice family! Stay warm and safe! I remember my mother used to bring the piglets inside when the weather was very cold, meaning -10 , -15 degrees C.
LUV UR MOM 👩
@@wheelervette 🥰🍀
I love how you set up the farrowing pen with the little area with the heat lamp. All the pig pens look great also.
I’d be looking at investing in a couple of farrowing bars. You can take them down when no longer in use and use for many years to come
glad you were able to get your farm projects all Complete before the cold weather arrives I think the farm pigs well love It
We had a heat lamp over some puppies in our barn, many years ago, the light was securely hung...and the barn burned down. The heat was so great it killed animals (pot bellied pigs) 40-50 feet away that were in a corral. The only thing in the barn that didn’t burn was a stack of hay!! It was so hot it turned the glass in windows to liquid. Melted steel rims on a car parked in the barn. We thought the concrete floor would survive but the heat popped up the concrete and ruined it also. This was a 30-40 year old barn. We were Devastated. Later learned that there was a safety bulb from France, there was a heating pad made for pigs also, but that was years ago, don’t know if they still make them. Good luck and I love your videos.
Y'all always have the coolest tools. First the tin-snips and I was equally impressed by the motorized post driver I saw in an older video.
I am so thankful that you are doing this extra protection for the pigs they need warmth too I think , God Bless you both
Nice. My only concern, and perhaps you have already addressed this off camera...is when she gives birth, those piglets are going to be wet and if the air temps are around 0 that is going to be a problem. I personally would make her area smaller, put some kind of tarp or covering over it and add another heat lamp and warm that area up as well. After the piglets are dried and have found their way to the even warmer area you set up, you could remove the lamp. I would also be cautious about letting her have full access to outside when she is getting ready to farrow
Charlie is adorable!!
Charlie is enjoying the back scratching! ❤️🙏
Aww! Charlie is so docile for a mature boar! If you can find them in your area, I bet they’d love a street sweeper brush to rub against. Good luck with your upcoming farrowing!
Heat rises, you should trap the heat and seal off the area. In the other sealed off portion of the sealed off area you can set a heat mat on the ground for piglets to get away from mom. They will get laid on when the lay near mom for warmth. Looks pretty good. Maybe a lid on the little cuby
We are trying to get ready for the horrible Artic blast ourself. We live close to the Springfield area.
We farrow in an insulated barn in crates. We use heat lamps too, and it's the scariest part of the whole thing. We have to load pigs in 8 days and we are not ready! Can't wait to see the babies 😍
I can't wait to see the little new additions ... piglets are the cutest
The new attachment for your drill is a great investment. I've used one many times. Yeah it looks like it's fixing to get super Cold. Check on the babies regularly they will stay with mom if your not careful. It will take a little time to get them use to the light.
Sup MR Danny
It suppsta be 18 Monday night whith wind chill of 6 here in mouth Mississippi
I got 30 baby goats all whith in a week only lost 2 n 1 of them wus still birth go 2 on bottle one first kidding n one from a quad
My cow are good 2 new calf
One hive dead but the uther one doing really good put out 5 new this year n got acona duck ordered
I have replaced chicken got just last spoke but I have 2 live stock guarden dogs now n all coops
In the pascher n my female l.g.d.
Will jump the fence it thare a threat as man at the farm office
Found out I told him he need keep his dogs up
I still wach your video's
Have a blessed DAY
N stay safe in these trying time's
Charlie is the cutest!!
Just wanted you to know that your video on cast iron pans inspired me to buy a Lodge dutch oven !! I bought it used during an online auction (from trusted people I have bought from before), so I'll have to season it - and thanks to your video, I know I'll do it right! Thank you so much!
Weather bah humm bug. Planning like you do is great. But knuckle balls and curve balls are "game changers". Best of luck with the preps for the kiddos, appreciate all you share, May God Bless and keep you. Thank you
oh my goodness..... Charlie is a HAM.... lol Super sweet mellow breed. Thanks for sharing all that you do. I enjoy you including your how to build or repair parts of the videos.
I cant stop laughing!!! Henry loves them scratches, I was waiting to see Kevin end up on his butt. 😂😂😂
Those pigs are so friendly. We had Yorkshire’s as kids and dad wouldn’t let us near the boar because he was aggressive. I prefer friendly for sure!
When I was growing up my granddaddy build a pig pen for his sows. Nothing has nice as yours. I am just amazed how you guys are always thinking the best things for your animals. Your good people. I love it.
Right there with ya. We hoped to snag the typical warm spell we get in Feb for our doe to kid and instead its gonna be freezing cold....oh well. Live and learn. Good luck piggie!
Put some red wigglers on your hay bale and maybe some juicy stuff and it will make it's own pig food farm! All their favorites, bugs,grubs, worms and dirt! In my operation, Charlie is on the barbi as soon as the girls are bred. One of his sons will take his place, or be traded for another boar piglet. Sows get replaced after the second farrowing,and on it goes. Only feeding stock during the growth phase, not maintaining a giant frame of 450 lbs!
A friendly suggestion: if your pig pens are close enough, you can make the gates open in opposite directions so that, when you open the gates, they will block off your passageway between the two pens and the pigs can walk freely from one pen to the other without having to go get a cattle panel.
Love hearing the birds as you work😍!
You need a good deep bed to keep them warm and the heat lamp should be quite a bit higher, it’s possible to burn the young piglets when it’s too low. You only need it to take the edge off the cold, the main warmth will come from the bedding.
Also pigs HATE to mess in their bed, so Myrtle might get a bit stressed if she can’t get outside.
At least you have a nice barn to farrow your sows in. I did mine in field huts and had 24 inches of snow at one point, miserable weather. Because of the weather I had one gilt smash 6 of the piglets in a 14 pig litter. Poor girl did not have enough room to lay down with her babies in the field hut.
When I was raising cattle in Texas, it always seemed like most calves were born in the worst weather .