Gitti and Horsti
Two nippy mini pigs in pig palace
Mini pig Gitti (4 years) and her partner, mini pig Horsti (4 years), were the darlings of an elderly couple. Due to age, the care of the adorable pigs became more and more burdensome, and so they went in search of a species-appropriate forever home for Gitti and Horsti.
The two have recently been living in a shared barn with the pigs Lotte, Ludmilla and Frieda in the Pig Palace at the Gut Aiderbichl Henndorf meeting farm.
Woe to let them go - The keeping of mini pigs in the garden.
Mini pigs like Gitti and Horsti are cute, intelligent and also cuddly, and there are numerous people who would like to have these little pigs in their garden. However, one thing all pigs have in common, and it doesn't matter if they are big or small: they dig and rummage through the ground with their trunks, looking for edibles. Thus, the run must be escape-proof, and you must be aware that flower beds or vegetable patches are a "found food" for a pig. A beautiful garden can very quickly become an unintentional kitchen garden for happy pigs.
Mini pigs are very social animals and must never be kept alone. If they are, they show through behavioral problems and diseases that they do not feel comfortable in solitary confinement. In this respect, Gitti and Horsti had hit the jackpot - their owners knew all about pigs and their needs. The fencing around the run for the mini pigs must be sturdy and anchored in the ground. Pigs are curious and also nibble at fences, and now and then the clever animals manage to break out of the area intended for them.
Gitti and Horsti inhabited their own little house in the middle of a great enclosure with a secure fence.
Gitti and Horsti get along with Lotte, Ludmilla and Frieda
Whether big or small, pigs love to eat for their lives. Gitti and Horsti have a healthy appetite and, to keep them healthy and slim, they get vegetables, fruit and other species-appropriate treats.
"Gitti and Horsti are a bit like little vacuum cleaners. Eating is just great. Both are still in the acclimation phase and not yet in the free run. Pigs, actually like us humans, don't like stress. At the moment they live with Lotte, Ludmilla and Frieda in a nice stable and hide in the thickly strewn straw. Pigs like it warm. When it's raining and cool, the five little friends agree that they'd rather leave their trunks in the barn and go back to sleep ...".
Gitti and Horsti and the new small world of pigs
Pigs are intelligent animals. They remember the voices of their humans and, what is also interesting, they converse within the group with more than 244 different oink sounds.
We are far away from the "stupid" pig, the only thing that applies is "you are a lazy pig", because pigs want to rest up to 15 hours.
Gitti and Horsti and their new friends are a small, harmonious group in the Pig Palace. One has the impression that the two "new ones" are happy and content. Let's see how it will be when they want to be in the free run at the farm.
It would be great if they get a visit from their previous owners. For sure the pigs will recognize their previous owners immediately by their voice and smell. Until then, all the best and good luck to Gitti and Horsti in their little new world of pigs.
TIP
Live Webinar - Smart as a pig!
12.05.2023, 7:30 - 9:30 pm
Live Webinar: Smart as a pig!
In Austria, 2.7 million pigs are kept on farms. In Europe, 130 million pigs are kept on farms. Their social behavior and intelligence are largely unexplored. Yet they are smarter than thought, they distinguish images, solve tricky tasks together and not only learn from each other but also keep a close eye on us humans. The lecture gives insight into the current work of behavioral researchers with a lot of pig.
Dr. Marianne Wondrak talks about her research series with Kune Kune pigs.
