ready for rootin'!

Originally, our plan for the pigs was they would move to one of our pigs barns, which has access to a just-for-pigs pasture, leaving Big Red for animals that cluck, baa, neigh, and moo. But as our to-do list grew, we realized the renovations needed for the pig barns is too much to swallow this year...so the pigs have taken up residence in Big Red.

This means photo opportunities with pigs playing outside only happened when I caught them, stuffed them in a tote, and carried them outside to the chicken yard.

Pigs grow, ya know. And fast. I can no longer hoist them into a tote for outside play time. So...

You know what today is? Farmboy Iggy asks Hammy and Supper. Today is the day dad builds you your own outside pen!

He did not tell Hammy and Supper it was because Mama was too much of a wuss to carry them anymore.

First step was to cut another hole in the side of Big Red.

The hole was meant to provide the pigs with an access to this spot, right near the chicken yard.

Next, Farm Man Extraordinaire built a lovely door and ramp for Hammy and Supper.

Wait a second! I see daylight....but I can't get out!

The next step was to make the inside pen have access to the outside pen door. Remember where Farm Man Extraordinaire was sitting and cutting in the second picture? Now it looks like this:

And from inside the pen:

Next, it was time to put up more dog kennel panels to make the actual outside pen. On the left hand side, you can see it is attached to the existing chicken yard. On the right side, its attached to hog panel fencing the men put up recently. We lined it with concrete blocks so Hammy and Supper wouldn't root right out of the fence.

And there you have it. Now its all ready for the rootin'! Get to work, Hammy and Supper!