Natural Instinct

Observation is one of the most powerful tools available to a farmer. The plants, animals, effects of water, etc ... understanding how they effect the land  really helps in finding the right 'rhythm' that helps all these elements reach their full potential.

I was watching the pigs today and was amazed to see them build nests.  Many people don't realise this natural habit with pigs - females will use all sorts of grasses and branches and put them all into a big pile before they give birth.  While my pigs haven't been joined yet, they were busy building one today out of serrated tussock weeds!

Tussock weeds are not palatable to farm animals and can take over pastures rather quickly, so I hope this habit will continue to reduce our number of this undesirable weed.

What an amazing natural instinct for pigs to have!  Nesting is something more associated with chickens, although it is just as important to pigs as well.  When you consider this fact and that these natural instincts can also heal land, how could you not raise these beautiful creatures outdoors?  Here at Life On The Land we will always raise our pigs outdoors and in forested areas of the farm where they can find the materials they need to express their natural instincts.