I Dumped 150 Yards of Woodchips in the Pen- The Pigs Loved It!

[@ElishaBlonde]

At 8.00 minutes you can see two very happy and entertained pigs in the backround.

[@DowdleFamilyFarms]

You know, I didn’t see that until after editing the video and it was ready to upload.

[@mikefrench3800]

Making bacon!

[@ThundahComes]

For some strange reason, KZbin unsubscribed me from your channel, but I found you again. Haha

[@DowdleFamilyFarms]

That’s interesting. I wonder what caused that.

[@benharris4543]

If I can, I scatter corn kernels in between mulch piles/layers. Gives them a little extra incentive to root around.

[@DowdleFamilyFarms]

Yes, it's a common practice due to Joel Salatin's work. There are a couple issues with it though. First, unground corn loses a lot of its nutritional value because pigs have a difficult time processing it. Second, it will greatly impact the nutrition of the hogs formulated diets. If it had time to ferment in the pile, or if it were fermented before hand, I think there would be more value in it for me, but its difficult to do while the pigs are in the pen unless it's fermented before hand.

[@incorrigiblycuriousD61]

"Mother, it's a pig pen." Way to stand up to your mom, but you still covered the paper bags. 😃

[@DowdleFamilyFarms]

FOr sure, but the whole pen needed a 12 inch layer of wood chips so . . .

[@penguinistas]

We chip tree brush and we drop off the mulch at the home of a nearby pig farmer. He says that his pigs love the stuff.

[@DowdleFamilyFarms]

They do for sure! Where are you located?

[@henryknox1186]

7:38 - Still not big enough. BTW, biochar is great. Pigs love it as well.

[@cchomesteadfarm4064]

We have some tree trimming crews bringing us woodchips. I'm not sure who's happier me or the pig. I'm always amazed at how fast the pigs can turn it in to great soil. Thank you for all you do with the videos and the knowledge you bring us.

[@DowdleFamilyFarms]

That is awesome! I’m happy about it as well. I don’t always get a lot of wood chips, but when I do I’m very grateful. Thank you for the kind words.

[@Marialla.]

Happiness in any creature is a joy to see! This is so wholesome it makes me smile right down to my heart.

[@DowdleFamilyFarms]

FOr sure. It’s a joy to see.

[@therevolutionscript]

Love the baby pig footage!

[@DowdleFamilyFarms]

They are cute little devils!

[@nancyterramin9028]

It is such a pleasure watching your videos…. You give clear explanations in a most entertaining way. Your pigs must be some of the happiest pigs. You, your family and your farm deserve the best. Thanks again. You are an excellent teacher.

[@DowdleFamilyFarms]

Thank you very much! I appreciate it more than you know. KZbin is one of those things that is a lot of work for very little return unless you enjoy doing it. Its good to hear people get value out of it.

[@raraavis7782]

They need to change the saying into: 'Happy as a pig in chips' 😉

[@DowdleFamilyFarms]

Indeed. Happy thanksgiving.

[@raraavis7782]

@DowdleFamilyFarms Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours 🙏🏻

[@DowdleFamilyFarms]

You too. Happy Thanksgiving.

[@treyporter7611]

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours!

[@DowdleFamilyFarms]

Happy thanksgiving to you as well. Thank you!

[@stephenemerson9890]

Wishing you a Blessed Thanksgiving.

[@DowdleFamilyFarms]

Same to you! Happy Thanksgiving!

[@dylanmoore7466]

Oh yeah, I have been caught up shits creek with a sinking boat from underestimation so I understand that haha

[@DowdleFamilyFarms]

it can easily happen!

[@shephusted2714]

try some big bulk composting - add some nitrogen to all the carbon to heat things up a bit through the winter - things should work out for you

[@DowdleFamilyFarms]

The pigs bring the nitrogen with urine and manure. that’s why we add carbon materials. It creates more of a mesothilic compost but it works beautifully.

[@allenferry9632]

Question: would it be worthwhile to throu a gew gallons of whole corn in the bottom of the trailer to encourage the pigs to fluff the pen in the wet season or would that just make things muddy?

[@DowdleFamilyFarms]

Yes, fermented corn especially.

[@loriayres5037]

Pumpkin is good dewormer

[@DowdleFamilyFarms]

There's a lot of this type of information going around. It might have some antihelminthic properties, but it is not a dewormer in the same way febendazole or ivermectin are. I've fed more pumpkins than most, 40,000 pounds to 12 pigs in just a few weeks, and still had helminth issues, piglets dying from them. My point is that they might help, but I wouldn't rely on them completely.

[@ronlevin2339]

do u pay something for the wood chips ? what is the wood source for your charcoal ? why pigs eat it ?

[@DowdleFamilyFarms]

No, I do not pay for the wood chips. THey are just happy to have a free consistent place to dump them. I use whatever wood is around for the charcoal. Sometimes hardwood, sometimes soft wood, but I dont make much.

[@Lamar-ok5sl]

What I saw was 2 pigs making bacon 😂

[@DowdleFamilyFarms]

He was trying. I didn't notice that until editing, but that little boarling is a little too short to get the job done. He's less than half the size of the gilt!

[@Lamar-ok5sl]

@DowdleFamilyFarms well just call that medium cut bacon 😂

[@Truthasvictim]

Mind boggling Einstein pigs. They are hilarious, but I like that you want to keep them mentally provoked instead of being forced through mind numbing repetitions.

[@DowdleFamilyFarms]

Happy pigs are much easier to manage for sure! I’m not a fan of boredom and I don’t like the idea of pigs being bored!

[@mr.mikesart7111]

Little live making in the background. Lol

[@DowdleFamilyFarms]

For sure he’s trying but he’s a little too short!

[@mr.mikesart7111]

@DowdleFamilyFarms I have two sows and a boar for breeding. My male is still too short for the tallest sow. And at there age I think that's as tall as he'll get.