There's a Pig in the Bathroom - What to do when a pig stages a Coup

Monday Afternoon - The Coup Begins.................

There are lots of days here when it seems like the patients are running the asylum. As soon as I think I have everything under control thats when ...well you know.....it gets crazy.

Pablo is often the ring leader when it comes to chaos. A pig wants what a pig wants.  Today was definitely one of those days. Senior Pigcasso  decided to break down his door. The new door I put up to keep him safely in his own quarters instead of chasing chickens and gobbling their food. The door worked well it's just the hinges that gave way. I guess it's back to home depot for industrial strength hinges. He  knocked over everything in the feed house denting all the metal feed containers , opening packages and pulling down rakes followed by an all you can eat buffet . He doesn't look agile but where food is concerned he's a portly gymnast.  His little rampage ended with him knocking on the back door, actually knocking isn't what he was doing,  he was gouging the back door with his tusks. The dogs inside registered protest and I opened the door to find Pablo looking pleased with himself. I was slightly bewildered. I couldn't figure out how he got out. I just reinforced his house.

 Pablo is supposed to be nice and warm inside his pen instead he was shivering,  I let him in to warm up before I investigated his escape route.
 He visits the house on occasion for supervised family time. In the summer when he's wandering around I will often call him in for a treat or to show off one on his tricks for guests.  He usually is in a hurry to get back outside. There si a lot of pig business to attend to in the summer time.

 Today he wasn't visiting he was moving in. Apparently he is sick of winter. We are all sick of the ice rink that now exists in the back yard.  I guess he's longing for spring as much as I am.  I can't wait to see the first green shoots. I can't wait to stop shuttling buckets of water from the house to the barn because everything is frozen. We could all use a trip to Florida.

Letting him in turned out to be a huge mistake.  He remembers living in the house when he was little. He immediately went upstairs . I tried to stop him by offering his favorite yogurt, he growled and pushed past me. He's huge and he has big teeth.  I ran up ahead of him as he lumbered up the stairs and shut all the doors. This did not stop him , smart little bugger remembers that the bathroom door opens when jiggled.  I have tried every possible bribe to get him to come downstairs and return to the barn. He refuses, food doesn't work because he has already stuffed himself.  I finally gave in I guess he wants to sleep over tonight.

Tuesday Morning- Pablo is currently winning every battle

Well cinnamon buns, yogurt and cheese will not even bring him down 1 stair. This is starting to become a big problem. He keeps blocking the door not letting me in. He growled the entire time I was showering and getting ready. I had to move all towels and take everything out of the cabinet for protection. The rug is already toast. I was sick of red anyway so he is sort of doing me a favor. Now I can get the heavenly aqua blue ones I almost buy at every trip to Target.

 Pablo was moved to the barn because he tore up the entire bathroom floor while I was out shopping.  In his defense the floor was ugly and old.  He also had developed the habit of knocking over tables and chairs removing radiator covers and chasing the dogs. He thought of the entire house as his and got angry when we had any male visitors except children and my son David.  He enjoys ripping blankets or anything thats cloth to shreds. In addition he hates my boyfriend and all men in any kind of uniform. He scared the wits out of a plumber by showing his teeth in a menacing gesture. He doesn't bite but it looks like he might. Obviously our roommate situation wasn't working.


Dave and I mostly Dave,  built him a nice little condo in the barn. He has his own yard a heat mat and heat lamps ,air-conditioning .  He has toys a tether ball a wading pool and space to root. None of these amenities seems of interest to him in the freezing winter. He ignores his toys and shows no interest in playing ball. I keep his door locked because the ice outside is dangerous for a big guy with little feet. He is constantly trying to get out of his pen to chase other farm animals. I let him out into the big yard each afternoon. He proceeds to try and break through every fence he can. I follow him with a squirt bottle  to stop acts of vandalism. His condo has had many security revisions.
Wednesday afternoon - The Coup Continues!

As the day turned into  evening , my sweet friend stopped by for a surprise visit , wine in hand. Our visit was cut short when she asked to use the bathroom. She isn't exactly an animal lover maybe cats but definitely not big hairy pigs. She shook her head in irritation and invited me over to her house. Yeah , well , I can't exactly leave a destructive sherman tank free to roam the house unattended. He knows cupboards contain food.  Looks like all social engagements are off until Pablo is safely back in his own little abode.

At my wits end , after I tried everything I could think of , I had to resort to deportation by force. I was getting worried because at this point he hadn't eaten very little in 40 hours. I decided to give him a meal and then drag him out of the bathroom on a leash. He deplores leashes. I had to distract him with treats. Pigs don't see well and a hungry pig is very interested in treats.  He was furious when he realized I had lassoed him. He immediately started thrashing and growling.

  It is amazing how loud my normally quiet pig can be. His conversations are frequent but they consist of low grunts and cute little squeaks. Not today,  In between 30 decimal screams he lunged and took swipes at me with his tusks.  The ensuing tussle broke a table and scratched newly painted walls. He was no worse for the wear but I have a few bruises and walls to paint. He enjoyed the  game of pull and scream . It took 45 minutes to get him down the stairs and another 30 to get him outside. He is really strong , at one point as I was being dragged back up the stairs, I thought well maybe the pig is going to be living inside until spring. He is litter trained after all.

Tomorrow I am building him a home in the basement with access to a side yard. I guess he just isn't happy in the barn. I don't want him to be sad. At least he will be closer and the dogs and I  can visit him. He will lose access to the feed house which is a good idea all around. The chickens can breath sigh of relief and Gracie my sheep won't have to fend off unwanted advances.  Since I put him back in the barn  he refuses to acknowledge me. It kind of hurts my feelings. He won't event take treats unless I drop them. Normally he rolls over for a belly rub. tonight he snuggled in the straw ignoring me.  Hopefully when he sees his new place he will forgive me for extricating him from the house.  I am pretty sure he is outside planning his next move, a move that will take me by surprise. Pigs are smart like that.

Save on Vet Bills - Keep Animals Healthier

Here at little farm I have 50 or so rescued animals.An a local Feral cat population.  If I took them to the vet every time someone got a little boo boo the bills would be astronomical. In addition large animal vets are in demand so it's tough to even get a vet to visit especially in a crisis. The nearest farm animal center is over an 1 hour away. Sometimes an hour is just too long for the safety of an injured pet. I have found I can keep my animals healthy only needing to take them to the vet for serious illness and the yearly check up. I can also quickly handle a crisis which happens on farms especially with predators lurking about. Before I proceed here's the disclaimer. I am not a vet nor am I  recommending you do your own vet care. This is an account of my experience , how I care for my animals keeping them healthy at a lower cost .

 I can vaccinate the occasional feral cat that shows up. It keeps them healthier and makes me feel better.  I can treat their fight wounds quickly with blue coat. If you find a feral cat wear gloves when handling. I trap them in a have a heart trap , unless they are friendly.
Feral cats , pet cats and dogs in Pa can be fixed for a nominal fee at http://www.thespayedclub.org Feral cats ear is clipped so they can be identified as fixed. I vaccinate ,get them fixed and release. These are not house pets they are wild animals.

 I have found prevention is literally the best medicine. Deworm, clean ears, trim hooves and apply mite, flea and tick remedies to the animal and its environment. Keep animals clean and in low stress enclosures. I provide heat lamps and cooling ,plus plenty of space and no metal cages. Metal cage bottoms are cruel period.  On occasion my remedies have worked better than the vets. I start with the most natural treatment and then add chemicals if necessary. My farm animals are healthy and always get a good check up from the vet. My dogs are healthy too .

A duck that my vet wanted to put down ,after a fox attack ,is happily running around the yard. My rooster with broken neck and serious fox wounds recuperated. It takes preparedness, time and patience to help a hurt animal. The internet and common sense are great resources.  I also give all my own vaccinations and most or my own worming. . I order everything from Valley Veterinary Supply. I am a retired nurse so I understand how to give injections. There is lots of information on line, several pet vaccination companies have how to videos on you tube. I like this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMcpTNCmdhY Many vets will show you how to give an injection.  I literally save thousands of dollars giving my own vaccinations and prevenatives. Dogs/ Cats can have a reaction so please get puppy/kitty shots first by a vet to make sure your dog/Cat isn't allergic. I prefer to vaccinate my own dogs because several are tiny and I can split up the vaccinations. I also give benadryl before shots to reduce site swelling and reactions. Rabies in dogs and cats must be given by a vet in PA. Farm animals can be given rabies vaccinations by owners. Veterinary supply houses sell rabies tags for farm animals and shot records.

Here Is What I Keep On Hand

A scale - for dogs and smaller animals and a long cloth tape measure to measure girth of large farm animals  for weight estimation.
A kitchen scale for the littlest of creatures

• Hydrogen Peroxide- to clean wounds and ears

• Witch hazel- works well for swelling and for washing injured feet. One of my dogs has allergies to grass witch hazel cleaning after trips outside keep his feet in good sore free shape. A witch hazel compress receives swelling and sore joints. I just soak paper towel in witch hazel and wrap the joint in an ace bandage.

• Vitamin B- vitamin B given to goats or sheep when they are bloated waiting for the vet. On several occasions they were cured before the vet arrives. 
• Vitamin C- 
• Dog/Cat Vaccinatiosn. I use Solo- Jec 10  for big dogs from http://www.valleyvet.com 
• The Book Barnyard in your Backyard
• Agricillian- injectable for infections usually another animal bite or cut - Figuring out the dose is tricky. This is sized for large animals. Ask your vet for dosage information. I use a calculator to arrive at a dosage. My bottle is 1cc for 100 lbs. I can give a 10b animal 1/10th of a cc. Ducks and rabbits should be given antibiotics with caution. I don't ever give penicillin to rabbits I use Doxycyclin only. 
• Doxycillin-( purchased for fish) great for cuts just open  capsule and pour a small amount into the cut. This is the only antibiotic for use on rabbits
• Neosporin- for boo boos
• Ivermectin injectable and paste. The injectable is given orally to goats for worming. Ivermectin is a wormer for use in farm animals it is also the active ingredient in Heartguard. I give the injectable my dogs orally in a treat of peanut butter. This saves me about 75.00 a month and 900.00 a year after I purchase the ivermectin. The paste is given to rabbits monthly by wiping a small amount on their feet they naturally clean if off eating the wormer.  Sheep, goats and horses get it bi monthly alternating with pyrantel. Pigs get it quarterly orally also. 
• Pyrantel Paste- horse and goat wormer- I alternate this with Ivermectin
• Blue Coat or Red Coat- to spray on cuts or irritated skin- anti fungal anti viral agent. It works well on all animals. I use it a lot on chicken scrapes or any kind of irritation.
• NFZ puffer- This is a great little product for ear and eye infections caught early. See a vet if the infection seems severe. This is just quirted right into the eye or ear. 
• Ear Mite Cream 
• Vet RX for ear mites- this little camphor oil wonder works well on pets that frequently get ear mites . I use it monthly on Rabbits and floppy eared dogs. Rabbits kept outside get mites. period so treat them. Mites are uncomfortable and can cause a variety of fatal illness's. 
• Diatemaceous Earth- (DE) Not the kind for swimming pools. I get mine at the local feed store Pickering Valley Feed and Farm. Tractor supply and Agway have it online. These tiny crushed sea fossils are the the BEST all natural pest remedy.  Wear a mask when sprinkling follow package directions. Sprinkle in beds , cages and stalls, under rugs and mattresses, in the garden on plants to keep them pest free. In cracks around the house to keep out bugs. Keeps ticks, flies, mosquitos, bed bugs, gnats, aphids and fleas from populating.  It can be added directly to animal food to deworm or as worm preventive. This miracle powder is used in human foods to keep it safe from bugs. 

• Blood Stop- this is probably one of the most important things to keep on hand. If your pet gets cut you can pour on blood stop to stop the bleeding and get them to a vet. If you don't have blood stop you can use flour . This works well when you accidentally cut Fido's nail too short or someone cut a paw.

• Suture Kit-  or strong button thread and a large needle already threaded. if you feel comfortable stitching up small wounds this is great to have on hand. I have stitched up lots of my critters after predator attacks.
• I stopped using Frontline after one of my little dogs was poisoned while socially grooming another dog. I now use a variety of natural products I purchase at the health food store. Last year I used Pet Naturals Flea and Tick spray, several brands are available most are made from chrysanthemums.  I also use natural fly spray for the house from Whole Foods. Using the DE has really kept fleas and ticks at bay . I spread it on the lower part of trees keeping the bugs from climbing. I still use natural flea/tick oil on the dogs because we have Lyme disease here. The natural method has been working for 3 years now. I haven't seen  tick on the dogs, I used to get several every season. 
• No chemical fertilizers or pesticides keep my animals healthy. No chance of accidental poisoning from run off . My yard grows well naturally. i feel comfortable letting my guys graze on the lawn. 
• The best bug repellent are my lovely chickens. Chickens eat all sorts of pests. I let them have supervised free range to get rid of front yard pests. This year I making a  big chicken tractor so they can help keep the garden healthy with out me being out there to protect them. 
• Vet Wrap or ace bandages.
• Normal Saline- a dehydrated animal can have a few cc's of saline injected under the skin to keep them hydrated until they can drink again. I use the skin at the back of the neck and fill with  saline amount depends on animal size. I have also used this when I discovered and injured ground hog in the summer. It helped so we could get him transported to an animal rehabilitation center. 
• Syringes 

Good Luck , I hope there is some information in here that helps you be more self sufficient and hopeful contributes to better health for you animals. Do you have any home animal care tips to share? I would love to hear form you.

Ode to a Friend

Ode to a Friend

 I said my last goodbye to my good friend Larry today....he was a dog but still none the less my friend our loved and valued family member. He will be missed in immeasurable ways. He understood english so well I forgot he spoke canine.  I would find myself prattling on to him,  he made eye contact and listened.  He knew words not just tones of voice. We often tested him. He could get any toy by name, bark on the phone and literally do any trick I could think up.  He learned a pretty good doubles dance routine to "Me and My Shadow" He was a dear companion and guardian. The smartest dog I have ever known part lab, part wolf, all loyal.

When I think of him I will smile he taught me lessons about the value of  respect, patience and understanding . He taught me that sometimes when we need love we ask for it in the worst possible ways.  The day he arrived as a foster dog, he had been kicked out by his last foster mom. I got a call said yes and 10 minutes later , she literally handed my son the leash,  got back into her car saying "Good Luck" and quickly drove off.  Larry was a handful at first, barking , biting , refusing to walk on a leash and he chased everything on the farm.

Like anything worth having , we had to work on a  relationship with Larry.  He once bit me because I tried to force him come home from the park. I picked him up furious blood running down my arm and carted him home He realized he couldn't mess with me. I wasn't scared of him. It was then that he began to start trusting us. He eventually became the sweetest dog I know, loyal to a fault.

I enjoyed my time with him as much as I do other friends. He sat by me quietly while I meditated none of my other dogs understand its not a time to cuddle. He liked to watch movies never taking his eyes off the screen. He asked for the things he needed with barks and body language. When I cry he put his paw on my back. I found that very comforting. I had no doubt if anyone ever thought of breaking into my home he would certainly protect me. Something he had the opportunity to prove once.

We accompanied each other on many adventures several included me running frantically after him while he jumped into icy creeks or climbed under restricted fences .  He could wiggle out of most any collar , harness or fence. He once hoisted his 100lb body out of a high kitchen window through the screen and into my neighbors house to steal roasting meat.


He was a great help to me,  helping round up farm animals with absolutely no training he just got it naturally.
He was always on point looking for something fun to satisfy his lust for adventure. We played fabulous games with more complex rules than most dog human interaction.  He could open the fridge , cupboards and doors. When he came to me he was a biter and a runner for good reason,  people were not to be trusted. We learned to understand each other. He was wiser and wilder than any dog I have shared life with.

 Larry liked few people but the ones he did are good to the core. I trusted his judgement. His opinion proved right on numerous occasions. He was more roommate than pet,  it sounds strange to say but we had a mutual respect for each other.

My son Dave and I were amazed by his utter brilliance we often laughed about his antics. Once while my youngest son was making pizza, Larry opened the oven and took the pizza running into the yard .
During a crowded barbecue he watched me put away potato chips then opened the cupboard and took them.  We have hundreds of funny Larry stories. He brought light and humor to us.

Dave loves Larry as much as I do. When I called,  Dave was at my house in 10 minutes dropping everything to help his friend.  He worked hard using his EMT skills  to try and save him. We were both having a  difficult time believing he was gone. Dave just kept listening for breath or a heartbeat , sadly our friend had left his earthly body.  Sometimes tears just aren't enough.

Dave used to say " Good thing he doesn't have opposable thumbs he would take the car" Nine years was not nearly enough. I hope you are having a wonderful adventure now,  old boy you are forever in our hearts.

Big Plans for this Little Farm...Inspired by homesteaders

When my heater broke this winter I realized how dependent I am on the grid and repair people. I have been fascinated with off the grid living, homesteads, farms and tiny houses for years. The idea of living a more sustainable and self sufficient life has always been attractive to me. When I was a child I read "My Side of The Mountain"  I had every intention of moving into a tree. My son teases me about my ideas but he's interested and often helps. My partner Mike just shakes his head.

This spring I am making a huge attempt at more self sufficiency on this little farm. I have a farm but everyone just lives her eating away and making me smile. The chickens and ducks produce eggs , they are doing their part. I don't eat and can't imagine ever being able to eat animals from here. I need non kill strategies for self sufficiency. I grow sprouts, can food, sew things, upcycle and sell a few eggs.  I have come along way but there is so much that could be done.  The farm is really just a rescue for my now pet farm animals. I have made some nice things from Gracies's wool but I am nowhere near proficient at spinning.  I  occasionally make felt projects but I could do so much better.  I am committed to making my self and this place more self sufficient. I am inspired by blogs and videos like fmicrofarm.com
  http://oldworldgardenfarms.com ,  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCmTJkZy0rM                         

This  spring will begin my front yard straw bale garden I don't have enough sun in the back to have a good garden.  Next will be a new straw bale or cobb house for Pablo my famous pig, a cobb oven out back built with my son and grand children, possibly milk goats, or fiber rabbits. I mull around the idea of a farm store for the tons of completed projects I have sitting in boxes.  I would love to give more animals an opportunity to live out their lives here. The best way to do this is to cut down on costs.

I dream of building a rocket mass heater for the house to quell oil consumption.  Mike is less than enthusiastic about the plan. It took weeks to get him on board with a wood stove.  I'll start with a rocket heater for the barn . The barn is my domain so anything goes there.  I am looking at all sorts of solar power for the barn too. I may be spending too many sleepless hours on homesteaders web sites.
The 1970 college age environmentalist in me and been awakened. My son has started to call me Frodo Baggins because of my small house obsession. It's a new adventure I can't wait to take.

Since I moved here I have learned to do all sorts of things out of necessity . I had to learn all about the creatures that share my space. I found out very quickly after a fox attack,  injured farm animals especially chickens needed me to treat them immediately. I am a retired nurse so I have some medical knowledge.  There are very few vets that even see farm fowl and none in the dark of night. I made frantic calls with a bleeding duck one night to now avail, then I finally stitched him up. I found antibiotics at the local feed store and the rest is history. He lived and seems not worse for the wear except a crooked scar.   I now order medication on line.  I have suture kits and all sorts of preventive products.  The arsenal of animal medication and vet manuals has saved me thousands of dollars and my critters get great care. I watch for problems and treat quickly before anything gets out of hand. I use lots of natural remedies. When we do see the vet I understand the treatments and feel confident to ask pertinent questions. So far this method has been working for 8 years. Everyone is healthy and needs only yearly check ups.  Sickness among my farm animals is rare. 

I've built furniture and stalls, put up slightly crooked but sturdy fences, learned some minor plumbing and carpentry, fixed and refixed mistakes all the while learning. This place inspires me to learn to care for myself without a lot of outside help. It feels great to heal someone, build or fix something be able to provide food for friends.  This year is going to be a banner year. Projects I was too afraid to take on seem possible now.  Have you done some self sufficiency projects at home? I would love to hear about them.

Happy Farming

DIY Effective Natural Cleaners To Remove Pet Odors and Stains

Lots of animals means lots of unpleasant smells. I found a few great recipes over at Everyday Roots.com  I started using some of them. I am particularly impressed with the enzyme cleaner.  I can't wait to try the natural flea remedy this spring.

This adorable little devil peed on my brand new hall runner- ugh why I have no idea . He is my best  trained critter. I guess we all have off days.  I completely removed the stain and odor (* I checked it with a pet pee flashlight) . this is a great recipe.  I used to use Natures miracle and I had some good and some not so good results. Natures Miracle and other products are expensive. I like the enzyme action but I wasn't thrilled with the smell.  Using this almost free homemade enzyme cleaner

 I have had wonderful stain free no smell results. I use it on my barn boots and shoes, dog beds, sofa, as a grout cleaner, wood floor cleaner  on any tough rug stain , cages and on everything in my dogs room.   I have no carpet in my house just rugs so it is easier to get them clean.  It does work well on wall to wall carpet too. My partner Mike has an immaculate pet free house full of light grey carpet. I frequently bring my small dogs to visit.  Recently my 3 lb little terror Daisy knocked over a full glass of wine all over the sofa and rug. Panic set in when Resolve just turned it brown.  I used the enzyme cleaner left it over night and voila all perfectly clean, disaster averted.  I also use 1/2 cup added to my detergent to clean barn clothing,  pet clothing and blankets.  This cleaner has saved me on more than one occasion , dog lovers know what I mean . Even the best behaved pets can haves an accident.

I make several jars at once,  I modified this recipe slightly from the original I find adding a little more sugar is effective

Citrus Enzyme Cleaner

1 liter  very warm water 

10 tablespoons brown sugar

2 cups lemon, lime or orange peels
optional week 4  add 1/4 teaspoon of yeast added to increase enzymes

Use 2 quart jar add sugar then peels and fill with water. Tighten lid but check every few days.
You will need to loosen the lid to allow gases from fermentation to escape. It will eventually get clear
that means all the sugar has been used and it's ready . This takes about 3 months . I make a large quantity and pour into several jars so I always have some available. The best part is this is all natural and won't harm your children or pets.

The key to getting a stain out is make sure to use enough and be patient.  A tiny dog urinates about 4 oz it goes up from there. Depending on the size of the spot determines how much I use.
I use more than the original stain. For a 6 0z glass of wine I use about 8 oz of cleaner.

For Spots and Odors

1. Blot stand on paper towels on rags to make sure you get as much of the liquid out as possible
    then repeat until the paper towel is clean

 2. Pour on enzyme to make sure the entire area is soaked
 3. leave at least 1 hour patience is critical to remove odor. It takes enzymes a long time to break
     down odor and stains.  If the stain is set in leave over night and repeat as necessary.

For Wood , Tile or Vinyl Floors
I dilute 2 cups in a bucket of warm water and mop the floor with a damp not wet mop
make sure to thoroughly dry wood floors to keep them from warping.

For Laundry
I add 1 cup per load along with the detergent


Do you have a natural cleaner recipe? Please add your recipe in comments. I would love to hear form you.

Happy Cleaning!