No Fun Castrating Kune Pigs

[@carlapierle8623]

Those Kune Kune’s are just the cutest things!! I’m so impressed with what a great mom Elvira has been. Excellent job on pushing through the castrations! I can only imagine the SQUEALING involved with that!!

[@litag6143]

I never get tired of watching the pigs! I love the kindness you show them. Last year I really got serious about converting some of my backyard to clover. I even saw one lonely little bee on it a few days ago. It's only the 2nd bee I've seen this year. My rabbits & chickens love the clover. We were in such a drought that most of our grass died, so the weeds that have taken over with all of the rain this year are slowly getting pulled & replaced with more clover. God Bless!

[@BBFSGaming]

clover is great for grassland as it's a natural nitrogen fixer so it takes nitrogen out of the air and puts it in the ground for the grass to use

[@belieftransformation]

I admire how your family cares for your animals; courageous act doing the castration. Thanks for sharing their cuteness! Blessings to all 🤗💜🇨🇦

[@readyfuels17]

Thanks for documenting these moments. These are all things I wonder about that other channels do not show.

[@loriann2shop]

I am obsessed with the cuteness overload from these piglets. I can watch them all day. Love them. Elvira is the best mom and she herself is beautiful! Love it when they talk to each other and make thier little sounds. The one that kept on sneaking out was too funny. LOL You can tell they love being there and feel safe. They make my heart melt and sing....

[@OutdoorAdventureswithShawn]

Y’all did great ! The compassion you have for each animal is endearing. You care and that is so important. The pastures are on point ! Love that grass ! The homestead is improving! Lots of hard work and is showing!

[@afrlala3593]

They are so cute. Just love their personalities.

[@AZJH8374]

HAVE I REALLY BEEN WATCHING YOUR CHANNEL FOR OVER 5 YEARS? P WAS LITTLE! SHE'S REALLY GROWN UP! STILL LOV3 EVERY VID!❤❤❤

[@lorrainewilliams8232]

Big different dealing with your pigs now, you come a long way Jason, and you have a heart ❤️ 👍

[@onlyXknives]

I've castrated thousands, the best way to do it is to hold the back legs, hold them up to your chest with their back against your chest. They are much easier to do at a younger size, the earliest the better, 2-3 days after birth for feeder pigs, you could get away with a few more days with kune's because of their size. Best blade for doing it that i've used is a little 4-6 inch blue handle with disposable scalpel. I haven't done it in a couple years, but it's muscle memory, like riding a bike, could probably do 1 in 15-20 seconds if I had to.

[@kathyreinhofer9275]

Can pigs be banded?? I'm curious

[@100snyderm]

​@@kathyreinhofer9275no, their anatomy isn't conducive to banding. The scrotum doesn't hang down like on ruminants...

[@SusanRogersMakingItWork4Me]

We did it at 3 months. Easy and little bleeding because the younger the better.

[@RealzFoSho]

@@kathyreinhofer9275 What determines whether you can use bands on an animal is the design of their reproductive bits. The way pigs are designed makes it so banding does not work like it does on some other animals. You need to cut with pigs, bands are not an option. As @onlyXknives commented, they are much easier when done at a younger size. You can do them at an older age, but younger is easier, safer, and less stressful (for both you and the pig). The smaller the pigs, the easier they are for you to handle them safely and keep them from moving in a way where they might hurt themselves or cause you to make a mistake with the cut. Younger pigs also tend to bleed less and typically heal quicker. Even if they are a bit older, it is beneficial to take care of it while they are still fully on milk as they get antibodies through mom's milk which may help prevent an infection from developing. About the only downside I know of to doing it younger is that hernias are harder to spot if they develop (not more likely to develop, just harder to spot), so you just have to keep a little closer eye on them (which many people do already when pigs are newly born and in their first couple weeks of life). If you can be quick and efficient, it reduces your stress level, and theirs, because you do it quickly, cleanly, and aren't wrestling with a pig as much. You can even do it yourself while sitting down and holding them between your legs when they are still small enough to control without an extra set of hands. If you know a piglet is going to be a feeder pig, get it done young.

[@marcusburns4377]

​@@kathyreinhofer9275 banding is more long term torture for the little guy.

[@jpgaffney248]

I was raised on a large dairy farm. when this day came my Dad had my brothers help him. my youngest brother said "boy I'm glad that I'm not a baby pig!"

[@camicri4263]

Kune kunes are so cute, happy and docile! You did good 🤗❤️

[@susanmarsh4351]

Castration is part and parcel of animal husbandry. In the setup you have to not castrate would lead to a number of issues over time. I asked my father to show me how to castrate. I did not even see that blade move it was so fast. In terms of meat production boar taint is a real issue. Some boars are more affected than others and some humans are genetically more sensitive. In our family half could detect the taint and half could not. For the record it was rank. I could small it way before tasting. You did a great job judging by the piglets post procedure-straight back eating is an A plus result. And Randy-talk about being into homesteading! It is like a second childhood. Clover is a very naturally sweet delicious grass with high nutrients The drone shot of the chicken tractor progress was great.

[@barbarapahl3245]

I absolutely love to watch the little Kune Kune’s & hearing them oink! The little that you were rubbing his belly, how sweet this that! You all so very kind to your animals! ❤️

[@teresagunther6622]

Good job with the piggies! So very cute.

[@GAPeach58]

Momma was going to town on the fresh clover. 🍀 The piglet getting out reminds me of a toddler getting caught doing something & running back to safety when caught. Funny the way he scurried right back under the fence. 🐷🐖

[@pandrews45]

Add practice to practice, becomes experience. Add experience to experience, becomes proficiency. Proficiency creates confidence. You got this! Soon you'll be teaching piglet castration! If the timing works out, adding it to your pig harvesting classes and workbooks.

[@fionagrows1848]

Oh dear, that was so hard Jason! You are a tender hearted man . I hope it’s easier for you next time.

[@honeyrockacres]

I just recently did this with our Kunekune. It was one of the hardest things ever. Its all mental for me. They were older and turned out alright.

[@Miguel195211]

Castrating is part of taking care of our animals. Good job!

[@kimchandler2532]

They are so cute!! Keep your head up high...great job!

[@pamcoppernoll1004]

The hardest part about being a small farmer is loving your animals even though you know that they will eventually be your food. Your doing it right taking care of their needs but not ignoring them so it doesn’t hurt your feelings. Jason keep on keeping on your doing great.

[@24upickles]

Thank goodness we did not have to castrate any piglets. We had 90 breading sows that would have been a full-time job. We sold most all the weaners by contract to a grower farm. We only kept any damaged ones for ourselves. We did cut the tusks out very soon after they were born, and the tails were cut very short. There was talk once about making castration a vet's job, that put the willies up some pig farmers.

[@TobyCatVA]

I am so glad Zeke turned out to be a good breeder as he is my favourite pig across all the homestead channels.

[@LittleOwlHomeschool]

We’ve found piglets are very resilient. We’ve not breed our Kunekune yet but we have had multiple litters of feeder pigs. My husband holds the little guys down and I’m the one who cuts. Agree it’s not fun and I always worry I’ll hurt them but not lost one yet. I’m about about 10 castrations now. :) You got this! 💪🏻

[@SowtheLand]

thanks for sharing that!

[@AlleyCat-1]

I've got 5 brand new boy's that I get to look forward to doing this task to before long to. Just had a new batch of piglets yesterday. 🥰

[@batpherlangkharkrang7976]

Hi.... Jason and Lorraine nice to see you love watching your videos homestead 👋 bye 👋 bye 👋 bye 👋 👕🐔🐓🐣🐥🐕🐄🐖🐝🌱🌻🌼🌹🌸🌺🌷🏡🎥👍👍👍

[@crystalscashgoals]

That lil pig getting out is so cute. Hes knows exactly where to get back in too.

[@kellynbtln8234]

So many amazing skills you guys have learnt. Awesome to see your journey 🐖🌻

[@Vintage-zd5lu]

Thank you for showing the emotional side

[@janetwithers7427]

That was a stressor, for sure. The little pigs are so cute. 💕

[@marcofonseca4511]

It’s part of a farm.. learn.. and do well.. you always do your best to inform

[@manellaperry4748]

Team work makes the dream work. Y'all are awesome and I love you all..

[@Daniela.m.]

Those little piglets are so cute…you doing a great job

[@mtower235]

Man looks like y’all did good. It’s never easy to me either. I use triple antibiotic or neosporin the same stuff we use. By today you should know if there’s an issue but pigs are very tough and resilient. Never lose that compassion

[@gracewashburn8276]

Oh boy, I’ve never done it never had to on an animal because I always have females but oh my goodness😮 I do want to say something, though, when I first started watching you, you were not in the best of health and looking at you now I was on the farm and really working and eating. Well you look fantastic. You would never know you were ill at one time keep up the good job you look great the outdoors, the fresh air the farming is exactly what you needed."❤

[@glengillis7775]

Your fields are so much better already. Good job on the bacon seeds

[@indianacryptid6020]

have a good Memorial weekend

[@michelewhitt7545]

They are so cute!!!!

[@sandyoklahomatransient8557]

Y'all did a great job on the castration process!!! They're are cuties!!!

[@allonesame6467]

Congratulations! You did it!

[@SundryTalesOfConstance79WESTY]

One of the hardest things i have yet to do. Great job on a tough chore! Thanks for sharing the knowledge 😎 STOC

[@debrezo58]

Good job Jason. Practice makes perfect. 💖

[@elvinirons5959]

Love your channel n your videos n choices In lifestyle !! I’ll be watching your videos, thanks from SW PENNSYLVANIA

[@ronniewarren9551]

I enjoy watching you on the farm

[@jasonhatfield4747]

I just castrated 2 kunes this week too! Not a fun thing, but also, can be done very quickly. Agree with the others that said it should be done younger. Before 3 weeks is ideal. But, amazingly, they go right back to their thing as soon as you put them back in with their siblings. Mine were eating within 10 minutes. 3 weeks old. The one I did last week was 2 weeks old. It was my first one and took longer than it should and I was quite nervous about the same things as you (did I cut too much? could they bleed too much? etc...). But, after a week, I'm happy to report that the little guy is doing completely fine. He was healed over within a day with a nice clean scab over the wounds.

[@pastorpdsmith]

Love your enthusiasm and drive!

[@Sheena_1985]

Just learned how to castrate pigs. I’ve had to do about 12 or so in a month. I think I’m a pro now. 😂It’s not fun but it is VERY necessary.

[@edwardsville80]

Just love those Kune Kune pigs!😍

[@shepherdhillfarms7821]

Good job! I know it is a bummer, but necessary for sure. Thanks for sharing.

[@mlrh2319]

Now I'm going to have to get me some Kunes lol! The black and white ones are probably my favorite 😍

[@myrlelembicz6364]

I remember the time I had to get our male dog neutered. My husband was so disgusted with me and said Id be ruining him! The same day as the dogs surgery , he was chasing frisbies and thundering up and down the stairs. My husband then was totally disgusted with the dog! lol

[@diannaclarke2758]

I'm impressed they didn't squeal when you carried them!

[@margaretbedwell3211]

Being able to do this yourself is a big savings as well. I don't think it is a matter of getting used to it, I think it is more that you have the confidence you are doing it correctly. You did a great job as always Jason. When you fix the shelter, maybe you could design the roof like a Dutch barn so you could use straight cuts of wood, may 1" x 1". That would be less likely to crack. Just a thought. Thanks for sharing and y'all have a Blessed day.

[@denisebrady6858]

Coolest video today & those little piglets are just my favorites watching them but I know they will move on. You guys are such good Animal Keepers & show so much respect to your animals. 😃 Cheers Denise- Australia

[@WildKraftyAotearoa]

Ouch, great job. My Grandad and mum use to have to do that with our lambs a certain time each year. Tailing too and we would burn the wool off, cook and eat them. YUM. 🌺🌺🌺

[@carolcalf2032]

You made it so professional and we know that it is essential that you grow your animals in the way you want. Big learning curve but you made it look it look easy but we all know it isn’t.

[@rstevewarmorycom]

Jason, bend some conduit and back that plywood in Zeke's shelter!

[@Loubur52]

The piglets are so cute 🥰

[@docdew50]

Just clipping dogs nails is nerve racking.

[@malina1239]

So true!!! Cats also.. dogs and cats are very over dramatic when it comes to nail clipping , that makes it harder to avoid small nicks 😢

[@chan4754]

I would rather castrate the pigs than cut a dogs toenails

[@tracyzabelle]

Or cats...

[@shawnmcpeak6184]

The little white and black piggie is so cute.

[@gaylewatkins4685]

There's somethings in homesteading that you just gotta do. 💪👍

[@FlokieLooney]

That little butt scratch at 11min is just perfect

[@lisanowakow3688]

They are so darn cute!

[@nanchesca3950]

As far as a bad day, I think that wasn't too bad at all! Great job!

[@lynnebrown-hardy1566]

Cutest piglets ever!

[@davidj.mackinney6568]

Troy at Red Toolhouse has a great way of castration pigs.

[@ldirk58601]

I think the pigs need a scratching post. Like old horse brushes or wire brushes screwed to a post or ? Might keep Zeke from braking the house down :-) They all look so good and healthy. I wouldn't have watched to do that job either, although I have done a few hundred calves back in the day. Your place is looking great! We have lots of clover this year and I love it!

[@jbbrown7907]

After moving our pigs around our land for fifteen years, our land grew mostly clover.

[@evalinawarne1337]

Ouch. Thank you for giving us the views of the pig's low. Love the sounds of animals chowing down. Zek, needs something to do. They love eating 🌽🍉. Same as we. LOVE FROM S E MICHIGAN 🀄🀄🀄🛐🛐🛐✝️✝️✝️❤️

[@evalinawarne1337]

How about using rubber bands. I THINK THAT IS LESS PAINFUL. POOR BABIES. Can you use numbing spray¿??

[@HeatherNaturaly]

My Uncle used to put the piglets, nose down, in a muck boot!

[@iwantosavemoney]

You will get use to it it gets easier every time you do it.

[@terelhutto8604]

That little mini truck sure is handy.

[@macbryant4880]

Little pigs are so cute.

[@robertlemoine3500]

You guys are doing fine 😊!

[@pamelam1500]

Just love the sound of pigs eating!!!

[@FBG_Duck]

Good job

[@jillyd2807]

😍 Jason loves his kune kunes!

[@debbiekelly6835]

This was beautiful and hard. I used to ride with my Dad in the back of a pickup truck when it was calf castrating time. My dad was so fast those calves didn’t even know what happened. It was hard on me tho…😭😭😭😭 But I still wanted to go!

[@Skay24]

Don't know why, but when I watch it I felt the pain to...

[@christinecoe1827]

You did it! Yay

[@kalaipaa]

Elvira's shake shack is closed!! Hahaha Aloha from Hawaii!!!

[@mingo0817]

Castrating pigs makes a world of a difference to the taste of their meat. In Asia, most commercial pig farms castrate the pigs. There is a significant reduction in the unpleasant odor from the pork and also in a way makes the pork taste sweeter.

[@Zeke-yv3nw]

Randy needs to start a business. Rent a Randy for a day! He's some mighty fine help.

[@matsfi8329]

never seen a pig being castrated before, i’m amazed that i they can walk afterwards. i thought theres gonna be puddles of blood, guess not, amazing work!

[@Lazza88]

OMG when i first started watching i didnt know what castrating meant? now i like 😯😯😯😯😭😭😭😭

[@2MorMor]

Baby pig Mountain Oysters are so GOOD!

[@peterrowellranson8649]

Well done Jason you did it take care Pete cape town 😅

[@tracyzabelle]

Aww shows you have a heart...

[@patbroadway5097]

Piggies are so cute

[@anitadodson4316]

I love the Kuni Kuni pigs ❤❤❤

[@TXDHC]

It’s no fun castrating any animal. I’ll never forget when my first steer was castrated and I said to this tiny little female vet, you don’t need me to help you…do you? Her reply…YES, you have to hold the head. I about passed out in the barn! 😂 I got good after that and was finally banding my smaller livestock boys all by myself before I retired and gave it up.

[@jacquieanderson6251]

My husband taught me how to castrate so I castrated gave shots and clipped needle teeth on our pigs. The sows wouldn’t let babies nurse as they would bite her. I gave iron shots at birth so they wouldn’t be anemic.

[@ilzitek2419]

I love your piggies.

[@malina1239]

Omg, the piglets is giving me a cuteness “high” . Kunis are probably one of the cutest looking pigs. Sad about the castration pain, but growing up on a farm, I know it has to be done. I’d prefer it to be done in another way, that includes anesthetics( at least local ) and pain relief for the first three days, like in cats and dogs though … 😢

[@biointheknow]

a betadine spray bottle would help in pre cutting prep, and cut down on infection risk

[@richardroyles1423]

Good job. God bless.

[@pinkyandthebrainrants7851]

Did she say put them back 😁😄🤣❤️🇮🇪🖖

[@user-nn4ue5ng5x]

Not the kune! Aweee thos so funny lookin and goofy.

[@David_Quinn_Photography]

I have castrated bull calfs and it feels wrong taking a mans nuts and yes the more you do it the more comfortable you will get doing it.