July 5, 2024 marked one of the most eventful days yet at Deer Creek Pastures. Before diving into the drama of that fateful day, let me reassure you: all animals and human are safe and accounted for as of July 6th, 2024. Yesterday, around 3:45 pm EST, Dolly and Loretta, my Idaho Pasture Pigs, embarked on a daring adventure into the woods—a day they enjoyed far more than I did. This wasn’t their first attempt; it was their second escape in just three months on the farm.

Background

To provide context before delving into the escapades of Dolly and Loretta, I manage the piggies via a rotational grazing approach using electric netting and a solar-powered energizer designed for swine. The Idaho Pasture Pigs, a crossbreed aimed at minimizing rooting, still manage to dig up quite a bit of earth. With Georgia’s current heatwave, I’ve adjusted their fencing to provide half pasture and half wooded areas for shade, alongside their shelter. They’ve taken a liking to the wooded section of their paddock, particularly hunting for acorns, which has occasionally made me nervous about potential escape attempts. Despite their mischievous nature, the piggies are well-fed and cared for and have no reason to attempt escape—thanks to a routine of pig feed rationed in the morning and evening, treats of apples, frozen bananas and greens from the garden, and regular water and mud pit refreshes throughout the day. I strive to ensure their care, protection, and containment, though farming has a way of humbling you with unexpected challenges.

Escape 1.0 – May 4, 2024

Their first escape was entirely my fault. Still new to pig rearing and electric fencing, I made the rookie mistake of not activating the energizer while repositioning their enclosure. This lack of electric charge meant the fence couldn’t deter them, and before I knew it, they were exploring beyond their boundaries. It turned into a frantic two-hour chase across the farm, just before guests were due to arrive. Despite their small size then (they were just babies and only 50 pounds), wrangling them was no easy feat. They discovered acorns for the first time and even investigated the barn multiple times. It was a close call, but I managed to snag treats from the garage and coax them back with bribery and reinforce their pen promptly. Lesson learned: always double-check the fencing and energize the fencing at all times!

Note: Electric fencing acts as a pain barrier for containment vs a physical barrier. Once trained to the shock of the electric fencing, the piggies fear it, but without that shock, the netting does not do much to hold them back.

Scenes from Escape 1.0:

Escape 2.0 – July 5, 2024

Yesterday’s escape unfolded quite differently from their first adventure in May. Arriving home after errands, I noticed the piggies had toppled their water bowls in the sweltering 105°F heat. Alongside refilling their water, I decided to treat them with frozen bananas. As I pulled the hose from their pen after their treats and refresh, the electric fence—turned off for safety—lifted slightly, tempting Loretta. I quickly switched the energizer back on, but before I could secure the hose, she darted underneath. Despite my attempts to coax her back with treats and block her escape, she made a determined dash for the woods, leaving Dolly bewildered inside the pen.

What followed was a frantic pursuit chasing Loretta through dense underbrush and down a steep hill, with me desperately trying to prevent her from reaching the nearby creek. Dolly eventually followed us into the woods, showcasing their bond but adding to the challenge of corralling them. The impending thunderstorm added urgency, compounding my anxiety about their safety and potential for further escapades. 

The piggies gleefully hopped over fallen logs, paused to nibble on acorns, and explored new treats as I chased after them. They particularly enjoyed getting close to creek banks, some of which are quite steep. At one point, in the midst of our woodland sprint, I stumbled over a log, nearly face-planting with glasses askew and phone flying from my pocket. Their sisterly devotion shone through when Dolly scurried up a bank to safety, while Loretta briefly got stuck. After a few minutes, Dolly descended to assist her. Even in the midst of freedom – with acres of woods to explore, they never wanted to be more than a few feet apart. Although charming, it was far less cute in my frustrated state.

While my initial plan if they were to escape again involved using lead ropes purchased after their first escape to harness them, the ropes were unfortunately sitting unused in the garage as I navigated the woods alone. In a moment of panic, I called my mom—an hour away—though uncertain of what help she could offer besides moral support. Simultaneously, I alerted my dad and two close friends living out of state of the situation deep in the woods at Deer Creek Pastures. Though everyone knew of my predicament and they were rooting for me to capture Dolly and Loretta, none of us had an immediate solution beyond trying to solicit aid from a neighbor.

With the piggies on the loose for an extended period and starting to tire from sprinting around the woods, I considered making a dash to retrieve ropes and treats from the house, but the risk of them venturing into the creek loomed large. To cover all bases, I contacted my next door neighbor and my friend Tony who lives nearby, hoping someone local might be available to assist. As thunder rumbled overhead, intensifying my worries about the pigs’ reaction to both freedom and storm, my anxiety mounted. The piggies showed no signs of wanting to head back towards their pen.

Fortunately, Tony answered the call for help, arriving in the woods with treats and ropes and joining the effort to lure the piggies back to their pen. It took a concerted effort and lots of bribery with treats, but we managed to guide them back to their pen, well past their usual dinner time. With relief, I replenished their feed bowls, only to discover a faulty strand in the electric fence. With Tony’s help, we quickly replaced the strand of netting and confirmed it was energized, ensuring they remained safely contained, a full 2 hours post escape. Once they finished dinner, the piggies paced around the perimeter of their freshly secured fence angrily before eventually lounging in the mud to recuperate from their big adventure.

Had it gotten dark or had I not been able to find support, the situation could have gone quite differently. I am grateful for all those that provided aid and well wishes to me, Dolly, and Loretta as we navigated yesterday’s misadventure.

Scenes from Escape 2.0:

Troubleshooting

Reflecting on the day’s events, I’ve reinforced the fence and taken steps to improve grounding amidst the dry weather by driving the grounding rod deeper into the ground and saturating the surrounding soil. Regular perimeter checks to ensure minimal contact between the fence and ground, routine checks of the charge of the fence with my trusty voltmeter, and additional precautions are now going to be incorporated into part of my morning and evening routine, aiming to prevent any future escapes. The lessons learned—never underestimate the curiosity of determined pigs and don’t trust that your fence is getting charge without daily voltage checks!

Stressors of a Piggie Escape

This morning, waking to find them safely contained, was a relief. As a new farmer, ensuring their safety and well-being is paramount; they’re not just livestock but cherished investments and farm residents. With the threat of them going feral and exacerbating the local wild hog issue if they were to escape, vigilance is key.

As I strive to prevent “The Great Escape 3.0,” I welcome any advice or tips from fellow farmers dealing with escape-prone piggies. Your insights could make all the difference in keeping Dolly and Loretta—and my sanity—secure.