posted on July 10, 2001 11:55:56 PM
Here's a proposed Florida constitutional amendment that I'm sure has been on everyone's mind. The psyches of swine have been totally neglected.
Just the other morning I was commenting to my wife, "Honey, this bacon looks depressed, how about some eggs, sunnyside up to cheer things up."
posted on July 11, 2001 12:33:37 AM
We go to the state fair every year and I learned why they do this to the pigs. The sows they put on display in the livestock arena weigh as much as 1000 pounds. Their babies are very small. If they can move about, they lie on the babies by accident and kill them. There is no other way to protect the little piglets from mom. As soon as the babies are weaned, they are let go in an large yard again. The pen is a metal cage thing that just keeps her in one spot. It is made of large metal bars that the babies can nurse between but she can't smash them. They didn't look unhappy or mistreated but more annoyed with the babies. They have like 10 or 15 at once and it appeared to me that they drive her insane.
I got to put the REAL ELSIE THE COW in her BED. It's a Victorian cherry CANOPY bed with pink ruffles and satin bows. Her horns get varnished so they look shiny all the time and her hooves are painted black. Got milk?
T
posted on July 11, 2001 12:56:19 AM
Speaking of interesting laws, about a week ago there was a story about a Massachusetts Democrat who has drafted a bill to require all hammers in the state to have serial numbers and be registered. I had to wonder, "What's next? tire tools? butcher knives? frying pans? knitting needles? bath tubs?"
~I did actually know someone who was killed with a hammer. They can be dangerous.
T
posted on July 11, 2001 01:13:09 AM(Bacon Rotund - Florida) Mr. Porky Pig took time off from his busy film schedule to support the proposed Florida constitutional amendment. Mr. Pig showed genuine enthusiasm for the proposal. "It's about time we examined our treatment of pi..pi..pi.. er swine in America", stammered an excited Mr. Pig.
Also at the rally were Charlie D. Tuna, and Elsie D. Kal voicing their support to reporters hoping this grows to a more aggressive stand on constitutional amendments for both mammals and fish. Mr. Chic Ken Little was there but refused to cross the road to talk to reporters, it is rumored he is unhappy with the growing mammal and fish alliance and feels something is fowl.
posted on July 11, 2001 01:27:09 AM
LOL!!! Leave it to Florida.
You're on a roll this morning uaru. Thanks for the chuckles.
My family visited a pig farm in Indiana where pigs are raised. From birth to slaughter they exist totally inside a metal barn-type building. The sows were pinned up so they could suckle, like Teri described. But each stage of the piglets growth, they were held in such small quarters that they could barely move. If one moved they all had to move.
I was sharing how different this type of pig farming was from the days my granddad raised cows and pigs. In those days they were only confined to a few hundred acres.
The first thing out of his mouth was, "You aren't with one of those cruelty to animal groups are you?" We laughed and re-assured him we were just curious as to their lack of room. He said the less they moved the quicker they gained weight and could be slaughtered. Took less food (one of their costs) and the 'inventory' was turned over quicker.
posted on July 11, 2001 01:30:57 AMhttp://www.inmotionmagazine.com/pig.htmlIn 1970, 85 million pigs were slaughtered in the U.S. In 1990, the numbers were the same. The difference: the vast majority of pork in the U.S. now comes from factory farms.
posted on July 11, 2001 01:31:07 AMBut each stage of the piglets growth, they were held in such small quarters that they could barely move.
At the fair, the babies run around freely in a large outer pen. Only the sow is confined. Of course maybe they plan it that way for the public.
T
Ok, a funny (maybe) story. Our neighbor asked
us if we wanted a pig. It had never occured to us before but, hey, free pig, so we said yes. Hubby went to pick it up and there was a 200 pound pig in this girl's apartment. He said, "HUH? What's a pig doing in your apartment?" She said, "When I bought it, they told me it was a miniature pig. It was puppy size..and now I love him." LOL...hubby said the entire apartment was WRECKED, DESTROYED, DEMOLISHED.
We kept in in the barn...until it wrecked the barn and the barnyard. Another neighbor ate him.
[ edited by jt on Jul 11, 2001 01:38 AM ]
posted on July 11, 2001 01:54:58 AM
Teri - The other side of that is that a neighbor of ours (in San Jose) had a baby pig that was a black belly pig. Full grown she weighed around 600 #s. They trained that pig (Mildred) and she was cleaner than any dog you'd see. They had a beautiful house with very fine furnishings and she never destroyed a thing.
She would follow directions and 'fetch' things for them...a few little tricks, etc. They'd tell her to say hello...and she'd grunt. Always good for a laugh. They took her everywhere with them, and of course loved showing her good manners off. People were always surprised. She was their guard 'dog' and as she grew she was so mean looking (ugly too) that no one would dare try to enter their house when she was guarding the house. They never locked their doors. Pigs are very smart. Maybe it was her breed that made her special, but they're still loving her today on their ranch.
posted on July 11, 2001 07:04:54 PM
Yep, mama pigs squash baby pigs. I know a lady who has a big pig farm where she breeds show pigs (they are bought by 4-Hers, FFAers and plain people who just like pigs).
When the birthing starts it's a mad house around there. Gotta get those babies, tag their ear and register the number and move it away from mama pronto! They also have to start 24/7 manwatches to make sure the babies get to nurse, but mama don't roll over in the middle of the activity!
Now, to be honest, I guess there is no reason mama has to be kept in a tiny "cell" before the event, but I can see why after. Wonder if the proposal will include the babies right to not get squashed if mama gets the right to not be confined?
(Bacon Rotund - Florida) Mr. Porky Pig took time off from his busy film schedule to support the proposed Florida constitutional amendment. Mr. Pig showed genuine enthusiasm for the proposal. "It's about time we examined our treatment of pi..pi..pi.. er swine in America", stammered an excited Mr. Pig.
