UNFORGIVING Realities of Farming - Hard Lessons

UNFORGIVING Realities of Farming - Hard Lessons
All of our pigs have farrowed and the results are not what we hoped for.
And yes, we do watch Pete at “Just A Few Acres Farm”
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[@rachelleroberts4290]

Truth is that is not proper shelter. But everyone wants a trophy and no one can take constructive criticism anymore. The momma should have been brought indoors days before farrowing. Piglets are supposed to have access to, at minimum, a heat lamp. They require 90-degree temperatures at birth. To all those who say pigs are hardy, are the same ones who lose piglets. Animals deserve to have access to proper shelter in the cold and extreme heat. The cold can cause stress on momma pigs, which causes them to lose piglets. Why settle for losing half of your litters when proper shelter can fix that? If you keep loosing piglets (as this is not your first major pig loss) change your setup.

[@MightyMoeDaFarmer]

Why do they have to do it the way you say.. Are you implying that other methods are not as good as yours or that you know better and can dictate someone else OWNED farm??!?

[@robbiecail77]

How do they do it on their own in the wild?😂im sure it’s not like you described 😂😂🧌

[@eefbhoff]

very correct. a little good husbandry goes a long ways

[@FreeAmerican-mm2my]

My sow made a nest in the woods. She gave birth to 11 and all are alive. I finally got her into the barn, but we still did not use a heat lamp because heat lamps are a major cause of global warming. You may not care about the environment, but I do.

[@oldnorthstateoutdoors2002]

Meanwhile wild or feral pigs are taking over entire states. Nobody is going to build them buildings or heat lamps.

[@dbigatti]

I know you get a lot of negative comments... some people just can't help themselves. As someone who is about to embark on this journey of farming, I for one am very appreciative of you sharing your experiences... the good and the bad. It's real, and that fact that you don't hide the negative aspects of this lifestyle is what makes your channel special. So thank you!

[@janedoe9895]

Well stated. Some people don’t understand how agriculture works when you remove the bubble wrap.

[@Beps128]

It really is not your fault. You provided adequate shelter for them. You have no control over if they decide to use it or not. Please stop reading the negative comments! You and Saundra both already beat yourselves up enough when mistakes are made. Y'all are imperfect humans just like the rest of us. You're my favorite channel watch, hands down!

[@SheratonParkFarms]

Thanks so much. We try but that didn’t always mean we succeeded so we try again.

[@AmandusFamilyFarm]

We totally agree!

[@kevindavis3841]

No negativity brother. Thanks for sharing 🙏🏻

[@SheratonParkFarms]

You bet

[@tylerdurden4130]

You might be able to solve your egg problem by lowering your nesting boxes & mounting nighttime roosting perch(s) higher. Since they will always seek the highest point to roost at night, low nesting boxes are not appealing to a higher perch. It's worth the time & effort if it saves you having to block nests or deal with dirty, broken eggs. It also makes boxes available for those that need to jump down & lay before sunrise, which happens more than some people might think! That's just what worked for me, wishing you the best with whatever works for you :)

[@doloresreynolds8145]

Thanks for the information!

[@AmandusFamilyFarm]

I didn’t realize some lay before daybreak! Interesting! Thanks!

[@amberemma6136]

This is very solid advice

[@edwindegroot3235]

Thank you 🙏 love your honesty instead of a fake keeping up appearances video. Much appreciated!

[@mst1317]

I love your genuineness. You show reality of your day to day life. Appreciate the sharing. Enjoy watching!

[@donaldmontgomery8169]

We all look back and see things that we would do different if we could do it over. At the time we made the decision it seemed like the right choice. It appears to me that you guys do a really good job. Continue to ask God to give you wisdom and guidance in all that you do.

[@duanetaylor9599]

Thank you for showing both the good and bad. That's how I learn. That's one reason I'm here...is to learn.

[@thomasrogers4201]

Chuck, I’m sorry for your loss. We don’t live in a perfect world and everything goes as planned. It’s easy to put folks down without adding a face to the criticism. Just consider the source and keep up with your farm. I enjoy all your videos whether good or bad. May God bless you and your wife and don’t let the naysayers discourage you.

[@jillmarczak9561]

I am so grateful for all the information that you guys share with us! There are ugly people no matter where you go, unfortunately!!

[@ApiaryManager]

If we were perfect, we wouldn't be human. Sometimes, things go wrong and it hurts. There's nothing you can do about it no matter how hard you try. Animals just have their own way of doing things.

[@sherrih3835]

Those piglets are beautiful!!❤

[@SouthernFamilyHomestead23]

There's a lot that can be said of ignorance and the people that choose to harness it as their lifestyle.... Chuck and Saundra, y'all just keep doing what you're doing. You're real and authentic and that's harder to find in abundance these days. I appreciate the videos like this because it reminds me that no matter how hard we try to make things absolutely right for our animals to be successful, rough times do come and we are not in control. However, the Good Lord has a plan and He will be glorified through that.

[@theokayestbeard]

It makes my day every time Chuck says "stupid geese" or something to that effect! Cracks me up every time!! 😂

[@AmandusFamilyFarm]

Me too! He just says what he feels! I’m all the time telling the hubs, ‘Oh don’t say that on camera!’ But I should just let him!

[@elliekennedy2952]

I like your wife so much. She has the softest voice but works so hard.

[@nandisaand5287]

Thanks for taking the trouble to share your journey, Chuck. Dont let them miserable Haters get you down.

[@amandarosenbrock9147]

Brother - my husband and I are just beginning pig farming and your channel has been such a blessing for us. I want to get feisty with some of the know-it-all commenters, but as you know well, that would be an exercise in futility. I love that you invite people to pray over you all, and it has been blessing to do so! If our paths don't cross on this side of eternity, I look forward to meeting you and (Sondra is it?) in the Kingdom. God bless you.

[@AmandusFamilyFarm]

What a sweet comment! God bless YOU!

[@cchomesteadfarm4064]

Nothing is impossible for those that don't do it. Y'all are absolutely some of the most educational and real life folks one here. My GOD bring comfort and peace to y'all and y'alls farm.

[@randyclay2225]

Chuck that's farming, sometime things workout sometimes they don't. Thanks for the video.

[@suzanneo1124]

“Lord ha mercy!” Ahahahaha Listen, we allll know you do right by your animals. If you didn’t care, you wouldn’t feel bad at all. Thanks for your videos.

[@gailwaldrop3753]

Well, my family is mostly from McNary, CO. TN and all over Alabama and I'm in central TN and you are doing it the right way raising your pigs and its better than putting them on a concrete square pen and them never getting on open ground and eating natural acorns and seeds and dirt and fresh air. So I think you are doing the best you can .God Bless ya'll and keep up what your doing that suits your needs. God Bless.

[@tonytango6676]

I asked my uncle what they had the chickens when he was a kid in 1940s. He said cracked corn. They had a mill do the cracking in nearby town. So I wonder if all these fancy feeds with all these optimized, proteins and additives and whatever else are really needed.

[@jonathanwalkup4010]

My question is how do you keep rats out of your feed?

[@ridgerunnerrr3749]

Been watching you for a while appreciate the content you and couple others doing pig on pasture Are you still using your same custom feed for the pigs or have you changed your recipe?

[@SheratonParkFarms]

We use a standard feed that is non-GMO now. The custom feed was getting crazy expensive.

[@sheliabenson5496]

We put loose bales of straw in our shelter for our pigs and they bury themselves in the straw to help keep warm.

[@dwighthires3163]

Happy for you with the 17. May they all grow up healthy and may that phenomenal mothering characteristic be fostered in your herd. God bless you bead ones.

[@tonychaudoin2548]

Chuck, Thank you for sharing! I’m sorry that some people have to be rude. Moma says If don’t have something nice to say don’t say anything !! I appreciate your videos and watching real life!!!

[@Matthys-eh9ew]

This is farming. Good tings happen, bad things happen. I just hope everyone have more good than bad.

[@StubbsMillingCo.]

We processed 2 broiler roosters last weekend. Table weight- 7.2 lbs on one and 7 lbs even on the other. They were from our last run last year and we decided to just let em go, if they look like they are struggling or can’t walk pull em out. They were walking and healthy until they got plucked!😂 Great video yall!

[@annebyrne4897]

17 piglets is still great, despite the losses. It's all just a part of farming. No one is to blame. I think you're approach in allowing the mamas to do what comes naturally to them in the moment is good, even if sometimes the mamas don't take advantage of the wonderful nesting shelters you have. Also, you can't fight the weather. Great job doing what you do!

[@gcocchia2399]

You two keep doing you. I have learned a lot from your success and failures. You are appreciated for all your hard work. Keep it up. Always look forward to the next video.

[@SheratonParkFarms]

Thank you! Will do!

[@Thaddeus.N]

I like how you allow the pigs to remain unconfined. I enjoy Pete over at Just a Few Acres but the pig confinement for the breeding stock is my least favorite of his operation. So yours is much preferred regardless of the occasional undesirable outcome. Enjoy watching and always look forward to watching a video when you post. Thanks for sharing with us.

[@shirleyb.618]

Things happen beyond our control at times. Them nasty commets well they are the same ppl who dont know where their food comes from. Home grown is way better than those commercially raised. I have alot of respect for what you all do. God bless.

[@karensmith3816]

Being truthful about how your animals are, if there have been losses, sharing joys of new babies, and ways to process are some of the reasons I watch. I learn from you and appreciate your honesty. Bless you!!

[@AmandaDoll-hi4dr]

Hi, did your cow have her calef yet good job on the pigs? i like your chickens 🐔 two

[@meganashley1345]

Saundra should make a couple cooking videos to show us how y’all enjoy those tasty birds!

[@dnawormcastings]

That right there is 💯 real farming showing that’s its not easy to be a farmer lots of hard work 🇳🇿❤️

[@bryanb1259]

💥👍 keep on keeping on ❤

[@dianalittle7323]

GOD BLESS YOU GUYS!!! AND YOUR PIGS!!! :) PEOPLE ARE USUALLY JEALOUS WHEN THEIR RUDE...

[@TheBockCast]

Sorry for your loss but another great episode

[@SheratonParkFarms]

Thanks! Appreciate you watching.

[@SarahPerine]

I’m sorry about your piglet loss. I heard a similar story on Red Tool House. Everyone else look like they’re thriving. I’m amazed they don’t tear up your ground more.

[@jimmyr4448]

Thats part of farm life you some times lose some ant one can tell you both really care for your animals keep up the good work

[@patbannwarth7813]

I love the seven little piglets! They look great. Hope all the others flourish like the first group.

[@LifeFlight101]

Y'all are blessed and have clearly worked hard for that beautiful place 🙏🏼

[@ShortbusMooner]

Hang in there, you're doing great! Sending Positive Prayers! 🙏🏻💪🙏🏻

[@johnohearn1216]

Keep at it! Y’all have been a big inspiration to me and my small farm, mistakes and all.

[@drbethekoch6295]

Love your channel! A few years back I raised rotationally grazed sheep and goats under electric net. When lambing time got within a couple weeks, we moved the flock close to our house and subdivided the pasture into close quarters so we could better manage. Of course we figured out that solution after our own losses. All the babies look so great--even the guard geese (and it's a good thing that they're to bossy and loud 🙂)

[@ub6ilb975]

Great Video!

[@micheleweatherspoon6399]

Those piggies are so cute. Thanks for sharing 😊

[@droten2231]

U and Sonya can only do so much..glad to see the piglets....and the one with the red/ white stripe.name it cupcake..lol .enjoyed. Be safe...more work u work that soreness out too

[@michellewilson7868]

Y'all are doing great over there. Keep fighting the good fight! Thanks for keeping it real. It's not always rainbows and butterflies. And it would be wrong to only show the best moments. ❤ Your Wilkes County Neighbor ❤

[@BrittanyH1192]

Farm life is not for the weak. Whether it be on a commercial scale or just a few animals in the backyard. You can’t have life without death. It’s just part of it. No matter how much it hurts. We left a boar with our sows for almost three months. We actually saw the deed get done on one of them. Now here we are. Three of the sows did not have babies, including the one we witnessed being bred. The fourth girl did deliver. Not during the week of 70’s and 80’s. No that’s not the livestock way! She waited until it was raining and cold again here in North Texas. She delivered nine. Five of those nine didn’t make it a full 24hrs. It’s devastating, but our four survivors are doing amazing!

[@billkenosky3825]

We are all human and yes we make mistakes.Thanks for be you.

[@dougharrell7315]

Thank you for sharing the good and the bad. It is how we learn

[@terriday1458]

I truly appreciate the good, bad and ugly. Loss of life is always hard, especially when you work hard to prevent it. You can provide then it's up to the animals and nature. You learn, adjust and move on. That's all you can do. Ignore the haters. Thanks for what ya'll do.

[@thomasreto2997]

I definitely look forward to visiting Honolulu/Oahu other than the airport someday, but I must say, I am extremely excited about our recently purchased home in Mountain View 🤙

[@kerkleblanc7690]

Outstanding, Thanks

[@dwaynejones1146]

You are doing a great job and thank you for sharing the experience with us.

[@doinacampean9132]

Weird that the sow did great in previous years, but this year decided to farrow in the worst possible place. Besides, the white sow did great!!! My aunts and uncles raised chicken on wheat. Whole grain wheat berries. When chicks were very young they would receive corn meal. They were fine!

[@wadesfarmstead]

Keep up the great work.

[@lynnbrewer43]

Doing good keep it up. Love your videos 😂

[@paultweedie4981]

Hi Chuck, sorry to hear that you get negative comments. I think you do a fantastic job and I really appreciate and enjoy your videos. Cheers from Australia and please keep up the great work you are doing.

[@DoTheTwist710]

I think you guys are doing a great job I wish you all the best. Those dang little piggies are just cute as a button and you know how stubborn pigs are so getting them to do anything you want it's damn near impossible keep up the good work❤

[@JanicePhillips]

Sometimes things work and sometimes they don't.

[@Vanrachana0215]

Wow, brother very good 👍 ❤😊

[@scottneedham9765]

Only can do what you can do 👍

[@dorothysmith7424]

Always plan well ahead I found out the hard way too!! I am a new sub and I love ❤️ ur down to earth show!! This is one of the most realistic show,the true farm life!!! Keep up the good work 🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@budhames5254]

Hi Chuck and Saundra, just moved to alabama from Illinois! Good to see ya'll still good! P.s. its your farm do it your way! Im proud of ya!

[@BruceLawrence-xh2db]

This is great hey COUNTRY FOLKS WILL SURVIVE 🇨🇱⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡

[@brady4901]

Thanks, your videos they have been helpful, with my new chickens and thinking about a couple pigs this year. You knowledge is helpful and appreciated. Best wishes!

[@johnzink3309]

thx

[@chucklangshaw6485]

Them geese are to be ready for freezer camp

[@johnnyswag2802]

Everyone farms different.. My Grandfather says if the Mother pig was born in a barn she wants to have her baby's in the barn because it's set in their brain when they were baby's themselves. Another note my mother wouldn't allow them to have baby's in the outdoor shelters anyhow because she just feels it wasn't right, Baby's belong under a heat lamp and being warm 24/7. Mom would say, How would you like to be outside in the rain/cold? (Drama) .. Yeah I have to keep my Mom happy also. That's what happens when you live on a multi generational farm, sometimes you get out ranked.

[@sirguy6678]

Had an experience (and still paying for it) with a boar- he was very prolific- took me from 7 to 42 (that lived- only lost 1 litter- she was not a good mother) every 3 months, 3 weeks and 3 days came another liter- averaging 7+ - hopefully your market for farm raised pigs is better than mine- the boar was 719 pounds and excellent-

[@AmandusFamilyFarm]

Wow! That’s a big boar!

[@BeardedLumber]

Thanks for the awesome video farming can be hard somedays keep up the hard work.

[@robertphillips2659]

You did a show on chicken sales and prices in a video quite a while back. Can you do a rundown on your pork prices as well

[@terrytesterman1689]

Sure some good looking piglets. Man them meat birds must be putting down some vittles cause it only seems like it was only couple weeks ago you got em. Time waits on nobody i guess. God Bless you all and i enjoy each video you and Saundra make.

[@sherrywilliams409]

You make me laugh every time you walk to where the geese are you say “stupid geese!” 😂😂 I sure wish I lived near y’all! I would sure buy my processed chicken from y’all. I live in north Louisiana. As far as flavor goes, which is your favorite chicken? Good grief! It’s hard to accept that people would cuss you out of how you do things or the turnout. People can be real brave sitting in the cover of their home! They say things they would never be brave enough to say to your face. It would have to be really really bad before I could talk to someone like that! All I would say is I’m sorry about those piglets and I hope it is better next time for y’all: ❤🙏

[@donnahummel5765]

How's the garden going?

[@jermainewyatt1995]

Great video thanks for sharing

[@SundryTalesOfConstance79WESTY]

Nooice! 😎 STOC

[@wilmanorman3546]

27:45 I have worked at a commercial pig farm. Lights and penning them up up is how they do it. I grew up with my grandparents and great grandparents taking care of their pigs the way you do. And a question for the complainers....What did farmers do before electricity? Learn the old way of farming. We cannot depend on modern convenience. Chuck, you and your wife, keep doing you. Love your transparency.

[@kevinholbrook7174]

Hey Chuck and Saundra, I hate to hear that a sow goes off in an areas that you have no control of the situations and it would be nice to have a little control over it. I was wondering if you have a video on what it takes to be able to sale chickens for meat and eggs? That would be a great idea on a video. Thanks 🙏 and have a blessed day!

[@james-dt7gd]

Sorry for the losses, but, that’s mother nature!! I have a question, why doesn’t the Cornish Cross cackle like the laying chickens?? I just realized that!!

[@marshallsayre58]

Can you show us the diffrnce types of pens? I saw yours currently and the square with metalic roof..

[@zinnia3684]

Good information is not criticism.

[@OWF-Farm]

We have been raising IPPs for 2 years. We have lost our 2 original breeders One lost the use of her back legs 2 weeks after her second breeding. She had a very hard time farrowing and lost all but one which I had to pull. We were concerned she would roll on it so we took in in the house at night with a heating pads. Next morning pit it back with mom to feed. She did well with the piglet that day so we left it with the sow that night. Next morning piglet was fine but sow had died. Piglet was still nursing her. Brought piglet back to the house and started her on milk replacer. Piglet died that night. Perhaps to hot from the heating pad? The boar was a big boy maybe 350 pounds. He became ill I think. He was usually first at the feed bowl. One day he did not come for breakfast. I found him in a nest he made in the woods. He grunted a little when I scratched his back but did not get up to come to the feed. Over the next week I would take him food and water to where ever he was. He would move between some huts in the pasture and a nest he had in the woods. I mixed some charcoal from the wood stove in his food and he was up and walking to the normal feeding area the next day. However he seamed frightened of the small piglets when they came to the bowel he was eating from and walked away. He would normally flip them out of the way if they bothered him. We had about a 500-600 pound bag of pecans given to us by a man that wanted to purchase some pigs. All the pigs enjoyed them very much. We would toss a scoop or 2 in with each feeding. I tried to give him the scoop and he ran away from me. Normally he would open his mouth raised his head and liked to have his feed or the nuts pored into his mouth. So as he trotted away from me I tossed the scoop of nuts on the ground just ahead and beside him as he walked away. At the sound of the nuts hitting the ground he let out a very loud scream, raise up on his back legs turning from the nuts in an atemp to run away from the sound. He fell on his side and died. It seamed like he had a heart attack or was scared to death! Now we have had 2 new litters. About a month apart. Second time for both. First sow had 6, all doing very well. Second sow had 9. They all seamed fine. Several were already running around outside their hut that first morning. Later that day I found the 5 week old piglets in the other hut nursing on the sow that just had 9. Got them all separated to different areas with electric net fencing. But I forgot to activate the fence. Next morning the older piglets were back in the other sows hut. Got them back out and fence turned on. 5 of the 9 were dead. Questions. Did the larger piglets stealing the colostrum cause some deaths? Did the larger piglets steal all the milk starving the smaller ones? Was she a bad mom for letting the older piglets nurse? Three days later we sold 3 from the first litter. They were screaming after being picked up. Mom just kept eating didn’t have any reaction. I was attacked by the other sow that lost 5 of her piglets when I stepped over the electric fence. She bit my leg. After that I got the electric shocker and had to fighter her off for the next 2 piglets that were not her’s. That was the first and only timed I used the shocker on any of our pigs. They have always been friendly and had no issues handling their piglets in the past. It seams strange to me that she would be so protective of another sow’s litter and not protect her own from the invading older piglets. Your thoughts please.

[@kenpacheco4426]

Sorry about your pigs. But I had a question about the chicken that you found that you are going to process early. Just curious , to what extent do you guys process it? Do you go through all the works of setting up your equipment? Or just do a one-off and process it by hand if that makes sense. Btw love your content. Genuine! Keep up the good work. And you won't either one of us skinny jeans lol

[@SheratonParkFarms]

Just one off. We’ll scale it in a small pot but use the big plucker. It’s super quick.

[@lisawaltoncarver9545]

How do you keep varmets out of your bulk feed?

[@kelleyheard5790]

It's called life. Some people can handle it some people can't.

[@jeboutdoors377]

Hello love watching yall videos. Have yall thought about buying wi-fi cameras like josh on stoney ridge farmer. So yall can look over the land when yall at home . instead of going out late after a birth.

[@dapymp17]

Can you address how you clean the dirty eggs in an upcoming video please. Assuming you sell the dirty eggs… much love

[@russiam1]

What’s the brand name of that chicken waterer that you use?

[@jonesfamilyfarm9230]

Those 2 good moms are a great example of you and Saundra’s care for your animals. Good job🎉 you know with livestock things happen beyond your control with bad births. I’ve been at this 4 yrs and we had a Mangalista farrow recently and let’s say……it was bad. We understand it’s not us it’s up to them. You’re gonna have those peaks and pits in the lifestyle we all chose but it’s amazing to see the good things! God Bless

[@aguilarpremoli9622]

I’m happy to see your videos and I learned so much from you!! You are in my prayers and don’t worry about anyone that is sending you negativity. You inspired me and I’m sure so many more. You’re an inspiration!! May god bless you and your family and your animals!

[@michaelwalborn1384]

Don't worry about those people you are doing a wonderful job keep up the good work

[@deanl4193]

Thanks for sharing the pig content. You and Sundra are 90+% reason Im going into my 3rd season raising pasture raised pork. With out your videos I would never of had the knowledge or confidence to even consider trying.

[@UrbanSClady]

I enjoy your very real videos. I appreciate your truth and honesty even in the most difficult situations. For those of us interested in educating ourselves your channel is the best. Thank you for making me a better steward of farming and caring for gods creations. I have raised chickens from day old for 3 years now and just love it. I’m up to 20 chicks now and love every spring when new life arrives. We are blessed when babies arrive and the cycle of life happens. Thank you again from South Carolina

[@zinnia3684]

Wild pigs have great success breeding. Are they located more in the southern states.