Anybody like pigs?

[angieh]

We live not far away from what was a few years ago the largest free range pig farm in Europe. The pigs all have loads of room, those little arcs full of straw to sleep in, water troughs and muddy places and places with straw and green shading to go in if it gets too sunny for them. I love it when they have their piglets and they run about and play chase. Whenever I drive past the fields, I always say "Good morning or afternoon Piggies!". We do actually like to eat pork and buy our meat from the local free range butcher. Tastes so much better and I feel guilt-free about it.

Farthing, if I were an animal I'd like to live with you!

[farthing]

Thanks every body, although I have to admit our place is very untidy, however when anybody visits they always comment on the fact the animals seem happy, I truely hope so. I also believe it doesn't matter if you love one animal or many, as long as you love it and do the best for it, you've done a worthy thing.
Angieh, as you may have guessed I don't eat meat, but I do eat fish, just can't give it up although I have guilt pangs now and then. Mike still eats meat, but like you he tries to buy local, free range meat. We both think the best way to eat meat is to raise your own, take it to the slaughter house and butcher it on you own. I, would rather do without than make that choice (although the dogs and cats have meat) and Mike has meat, but just gets too attached to our own animals to do away with them.

[angieh]

I could never have eaten any of our chooks either Farthing! Although the eggs were wonderful!

[Moli]

I do like those two, lovely to see them enjoying life.....There was a pig farm next to my grans farm, and we spent many summers playing with the piglets...

[dandysmom]

I don't know if I'm hardhearted or pragmatic. I had no problems helping my Grandma kill a chicken and thoroughly enjoyed the resulting chicken and dumplings, however I could never have eaten Henry, my pet chicken I had as a child. A difference between food animals and pet animals?

[Kim]

Youe pigs are gorgeous and you sound such a kind, caring person.

[angieh]

I am sure that once you have given an animal a name, a bond is created which makes eating it a bit like eating a friend. All my chooks had names!

[calismum]

We used to have a field with some Tamworths in it not far from where we live. They were lovely and enjoyed coming up to the fence for a scratch! The babies were adorable and made such a noise when they played chases. My horse did not like them one wee bit and I had real problems getting him to go past the field.

The fully grown adults were huge.

Your animal 'haven' sounds just perfect. Who cares about mess as long as everyone is well and happy.

CM

[Steph]

I also like pigs-they have tough skin though so one has to be very firm when `scritching` them. But I guess I am two faced.

I`ll go to a sanctuary and get face to face with any animal-but I still like my Sunday roast and BBQ.

I just think about where I buy my meat

[Kazz]

I like to think where I buy my meat too but by the same token not sure if I would get attatched to something that I would possibly be eating...I thnk you need to put the barriers up first. I think naming them would not help either...kindness would not be an issue couldn't forsee myself being cruel live a good life die in a humane way whats wrong with that.

Love your pigs though I like pigs my friends Dad had a pig called wait for it yes Bacon but she lived way past her sell/cook by date.......her Dad got so attatched he always came up with reasons....to keep her yet all there other animals moved on. He said the pig used to listen to him...you wouldn't have thought it to see or listen to him but get him on the subject of Bacon and a different man appeared.