When I put the turkeys in with the pigs I was concerned if they'd get along. That turned out to be the least of my problems. The main problem was feeding them. Pigs are strong and stubborn and would try to move heaven and earth to get to the turkey food! I have found a solution that works for me that I will share with you. It's just a matter of retrofitting a fence feeder so that they would have to eat through the fence. Now the pigs can't reach the feeder and the turkeys can eat at their leisure. It seems to be working so far! The piglets are 2 months old and are bothering mama for her food when she's eating. She doesn't like this so I showed the piglets that they can eat behind their crush rails. They are fast enough now that I have to use a fishing net to catch them, but it works! Pigs build awesome wallows that retain moisture. Very cool.
Every day my family and I are learning what it means to run a hobby farm. We started with chickens then added myotonic, or fainting, goats, and eventually kunekune (kune kune) pigs. Throw in some Guinea fowl and turkeys and cats and dogs with a creek and tons of wildlife and you start to get an idea of what our hobby farm is like. Hobby farming is time consuming and hard, but rewarding and fulfilling. There are daily chores that never stop. The animals need to be fed and watered. Pastures and pens need to be fenced and built. Goats and pigs need to be rotated in their pastures to give them fresh food and to rejuvenate the land. Food is planted and grown for the animals. Medicines are given orally and injected to prevent and cure sickness and combat parasites. Hooves need to be trimmed. Babies need to be raised. At any given time we have gilts, sows, boars, piglets, bucks, does, kids, chicks, chickens, keets, guineas, turkeys, etc. that need our attention, love and care. Follow along and we’ll learn and grow on this adventure together!