Our new pigs have created quite a stir and have settled in very well. They have plenty of space to root around in. They particularly enjoy looking for windfall apples that the children have hidden around their enclosure. The pigs are of the heritage Gloucester Old Spot breed that used to be kept in orchards and, according to folklore, their black spots are bruises from falling apples. They are the perfect breed for Farfield Farm.
Through keeping the pigs, the children will learn more about the provenance of their food and issues around animal welfare. We will be investing in information boards for outside the enclosure. The pigs will not be pets and will only be with us for 9 months. The pigs will have a life twice as long as modern commercially-reared breeds and will have a truly free range life.
Children will go into the enclosures during farming sessions if they wish (and whilst the pigs are small). Everyone must keep their hands away from the pigs’ snout and mouth. If a person touches the pigs, they should use the hand-wash on the fence to sterilise their hands on the way out. Children don’t need to use the handwash if they haven’t touched the pigs.
Families are very welcome to go into the viewing area before or after school, but please DO NOT feed the pigs anything at that time. Juniors can go into the viewing area at playtime but, again, should not feed the pigs.
I would request that Muslim families discuss with their children the extent to which they should engage with the pigs so that they are clear. There is a range of opinion, with some children asking to stroke the pigs – with gloves on perhaps – others viewing from a distance and others not wishing to go anywhere near. To help us get this right for your family, we would be grateful if Muslim families would kindly complete this very brief questionnaire for each of their children: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/Farfieldpigs
- dav
