She has been petted, pampered and hand-fed since she arrived at our farm at 8 weeks old. 400lbs and 2 years later she is about as laid back and easy going as they come, she enjoys being moved from pasture to pasture and doesn't mind being separated (for a little while) from her piglets. But..... there is nothing more impressive than a mad momma pig!!
I've been told that these large sows are dangerous etc etc and I finally witnessed that raw aggression I've been warned about.
Due to unforeseen circumstances, Linda and her 9 piglets ended up being in the same pasture as 3 male hogs about to go to the processing plant. Long story short they would not leave her alone. She would lay down to feed her babies and those 3 males would come up and nose around on her girlie parts and knock the babies around. It lasted about an hour and finally she could no longer take it.
If you aren't aware of it, pigs are fast as lightening. I used to think they were these lumbering dumb fat beasts. OH NO! Let me tell you, they are pure muscle, amazingly agile and incredibly fast! I digress.....
So Linda finally had enough......she went from laying down nursing her babies to getting up, slinging 9 piglets out of the way and going after those 3 males in 2 seconds flat! I've now seen baby pigs fly! She slammed one of those male pigs into a tree, pinned him there with her shoulder and began beating him with her head! He was squalling like a baby and that tree was shaking like crazy. Of course those 2 other males beat feet in the other direction. She finally let him go and he was not seen again for a while.
We moved her about an hour later, put her babies with her (which is a whole other long story.....my ears are still ringing from the deafening squeals of baby pigs being picked up) and everyone is much happier.
Linda will be pleased to know those males have arrived safely at the butcher.
-- Melissa
I've been told that these large sows are dangerous etc etc and I finally witnessed that raw aggression I've been warned about.
Due to unforeseen circumstances, Linda and her 9 piglets ended up being in the same pasture as 3 male hogs about to go to the processing plant. Long story short they would not leave her alone. She would lay down to feed her babies and those 3 males would come up and nose around on her girlie parts and knock the babies around. It lasted about an hour and finally she could no longer take it.
If you aren't aware of it, pigs are fast as lightening. I used to think they were these lumbering dumb fat beasts. OH NO! Let me tell you, they are pure muscle, amazingly agile and incredibly fast! I digress.....
So Linda finally had enough......she went from laying down nursing her babies to getting up, slinging 9 piglets out of the way and going after those 3 males in 2 seconds flat! I've now seen baby pigs fly! She slammed one of those male pigs into a tree, pinned him there with her shoulder and began beating him with her head! He was squalling like a baby and that tree was shaking like crazy. Of course those 2 other males beat feet in the other direction. She finally let him go and he was not seen again for a while.
We moved her about an hour later, put her babies with her (which is a whole other long story.....my ears are still ringing from the deafening squeals of baby pigs being picked up) and everyone is much happier.
Linda will be pleased to know those males have arrived safely at the butcher.
-- Melissa