Down on a pig farm

My farming journey continues. This time it is outdoors reared pigs. Again the fear of infection meant very strict bio hazard controls. We were all suited and booted and had to stay away from zoos and farms for 48 hours before our visit. This farm concentrated on the early days of the pigs. So lots of lovely piglets from a day old upto about 9 weeks old. They then go off to finishing school at another location. They seemed to be very content, it was interesting watching their pecking order in each group. Pigs are meant to be the most intelligent of farm animals and work well in a group set up. They struggle in bright sunshine as can easily get sunburn and also cannot sweat.

We were shooting for a well known supermarket,  where these pigs will eventually end up in the various cuts. They have a very strict welfare and social standards for their farmers to achieve. But they do pay a premium if the farmers reach their gold level of enviromental and animal welfare measures. The piglets were very amusing, and due to their size could nip under the electric wires so had the run of the spaces. Often seen nipping into another patch and trying to feed off another sow. Or meeting up with others to go off down the path looking for things to eat. They were not at all camera shy and I had a great day. Pigs are very photogenic.

I wonder where I will be sent next?