E-I-E-I-O

Introducing the Wilhoit Family Farm's latest additions...drum roll, please...Rick & Ruby, the pigs.  We've never had pigs before so this is a new adventure for us.  Last year during the 4H fair, Lane hung out with our friends' grandson/nephew and his pigs.  He fell in love with those pigs.  He would hardly leave their side.  I must say it was a little sad to tell him that the one he really loved, I think her name was Texas or something, was going to the slaughter house.  She was becoming sausage and bacon.  The look on his face was pitiful, but it was the truth and I wasn't going to sugarcoat it now.  We are meat eaters.

Lane would even practice showing our friend's pigs in the arena when no one was around.  He had some help, but was so engrossed and very serious about slapping those little pig butts (I see a nice pork roast) with his 'pigstick.'  He has already been out practicing with Rick & Ruby and his 'pigstick' which he saved from last year.  My grandpa would love it if he were alive.  He had pigs every now and then.  On the other side of my dad's family, there is a long-line of pork producing, and one cousin still raises them locally.  It must be in the blood.  Wonderful.

Anyway, he has since been asking for a pig.  Madolyn, who has always dealt with the goats, will now also being showing Rick and Ruby at the 4H fair.  She is not nearly as excited about Rick and Ruby as Lane is, but Lane has to wait one more year before he is eligible to join 4H.  I am pretty sure when that happens, he'll take over the pig process and Madolyn will wipe her hands of them...literally.

I love little Ruby, who is not going to be little for long.  I can see that she has already grown quite a bit in the few weeks we've had her.  Pigs are to be fed at all times, which kills me...but their purpose is to fatten, and fatten is what they are doing.  We've already gone through probably 150 pounds of hog feed.  Yikes.  They are cute though, they literally snuggle up together and interlock their little pig feet and legs like they're in love.  They've only just met too...must be some sort of hog love connection.

My mom has already informed us that when we are gone on vacation or at church camp, she is NOT feeding the pigs.  She will feed the other animals, but not the pigs.  And she doesn't want to start smelling them at her house either...I was hoping they wouldn't smell at all.  Unfortunately, if you walk around the camper to that far side of the barn, you can smell the piggies and their poo.  It is not a smell I am accustom to yet, but I suppose it's just a matter of time.  Ugh.

Looks like I'm going to get schooled on pigs now.  I thought we were covered pretty good with horses and goats, guess not.  There's always room to learn more, right?  I'm telling you something though, we will NOT have chickens again unless the time comes when we absolutely must raise our own to feed our family.  That is not an experience I want to relive if I have my say.  We haven't tried sheep yet either, hmm.  Don't give Jay any ideas.  Our neighbors have them, we better leave them across the road. 

If you're ever in the area and want to visit a small petting zoo, just come by the Wilhoit Family Farm, E-I-E-I-O.