I think a pig’s life can be quite charming.
Early morning light filtered through leafy green trees Monday, and underneath, Pink 2.0 snuggled in with his siblings in a drier part of their paddock. Once an accompanying friend and I stepped inside Carole Soule’s electric fence, they slowly stood up, shook off sleepiness and ambled over to investigate.
As birds chirped in the branches above their shed and down by the adjacent pond, Pink 2.0 and the others quietly snorted and nudged our shoes.
Soule sat down on the ground and was suddenly surrounded by an abundance of pig, pushing and bumping each other for a good spot. Some let us scratch them in the bristly area behind their ears, their eyes closing in enjoyment.
Others rolled right over on their backs as we rubbed their warm bellies.
A couple of pigs, including Pink 2.0, realized we had no food and got to rooting. Sticking his snout right into the mud, Pink 2.0, pushed down and then forward, emerging with a caked brown beard.
When one other pig got too close to his patch of rocks, manure and twig, Pink 2.0 got a little playful – he side-slammed his sibling, and both tossed their heads, mouths open as they tried to nip one another. Pink 2.0 then walked off, wiggling his curled tail as he tromped toward the shed.
Three and a half months into these pigs’ lives, there may not be a whole lot of excitement in their daily existence.
But it’s impossible not to smile when a muddy wet snout comes at your face.
“That,” said Soule, “is being a pig.”
Age: 14 weeks
Weight: 110 pounds
Cost: Previous cost ($198.25) + bedding + labor + feed = $228
(This article is part of an ongoing, six-month project by Ag & Eats blogger and Monitor staffer Elodie Reed, who is documenting “Pink 2.0” to see how locally raised pork is cared for, processed and eventually consumed. Have questions or Ag & Eats news tips, events or recipes? Reed can be reached at 369-3306, ereed@cmonitor.com or on Twitter @elodie_reed.)