October 18, 2026 | Life at Aragon Acres
Two Veterans. One Dream. A Whole Lot of Animals.
If there’s one thing we’re quickly learning about homesteading, it’s that the animals don’t always read the same instruction manual we do!
This week at Aragon Acres brought some discoveries about feeding our Kunekune pigs, a productive week in the chicken coop, a little quality time with our four-legged friends, and a couple of guinea fowl who apparently decided they were ready to explore the world without adult supervision.
And honestly, we wouldn’t have it any other way!
A Little Water Makes for Happier Piggies
One of our discoveries this week came during feeding time with our Kunekune pigs.
After doing some research, we decided to try adding water to their dry pellets to make what we’ve affectionately started calling piggy slop.
And wouldn’t you know it? Our piggies seem to love it!
We’re still learning about the best feeding practices for Kunekunes, but the softened feed has certainly earned their approval.
Of course, we’re preparing it fresh and making sure they always have clean drinking water available.
But that wasn’t our only feeding-time discovery.
Four Bowls, Three Pigs, and a Little More Peace
Apparently, even pigs can disagree about whose dinner belongs to whom.
With three pigs, we originally figured three feeding bowls made perfect sense. One bowl per pig, right?
Well, the pigs had other ideas!
We noticed some pushing, fussing, and competition during meals. So we decided to try something simple: four feeding bowls instead of three.
And what a difference that little change seems to have made!
Having an extra feeding spot gives everyone more room and options, which has helped reduce the squabbling. We’re also learning that spacing the bowls apart and making sure everyone gets their fair share are important parts of keeping mealtime peaceful.
Sometimes the best farm-management solutions aren’t expensive or complicated. Sometimes they’re as simple as putting down one more bowl!
A Little Work, a Lot of Love, and Some Quality Piggy Time
One of the best parts of building Aragon Acres has been the time we get to spend together with our animals.
This week, we made time to just hang out with our piggies.
And when we say hang out, we mean getting right down in the hay with them, giving belly rubs, enjoying their company, and discovering just how affectionate these little characters can be.
There’s something pretty special about sitting in a pig pen with your spouse, surrounded by curious snouts, and realizing that this is exactly the kind of life you’ve been dreaming about building together.
Of course, farm life isn’t all cuddles and cute pictures.
We also had the distinct pleasure of cleaning the pig pens and chicken coop!
There’s nothing quite like a little shoveling, hauling, and fresh bedding to remind you that owning livestock comes with responsibilities.
But seeing the animals comfortable in their freshly cleaned spaces makes all that work worthwhile.
And after the cleaning came one of the highlights of the day: dinner time with the piggies!
Judging by their enthusiasm, they were much more interested in the food than in appreciating our hard work.
We suppose that’s just part of being a pig!
The Girls Have Been Busy: 29 Eggs This Week!
While the pigs have been enjoying their new dining arrangements, our laying hens have been doing their part to keep Aragon Acres productive.
This week, our girls finished with 29 eggs, averaging just over 4 eggs per day!
For our little flock of five laying hens, we’re pretty proud of those numbers.
Every trip to the nesting boxes still feels a little like opening a present. You never know exactly how many eggs will be waiting, but it’s always exciting to see what the girls have produced.
And with our plans to eventually offer farm-fresh eggs to our community, every week gives us another opportunity to learn about flock management, production, and what it takes to build a successful little farm business.
We may be starting small, but those eggs represent a pretty big dream!
The Great Guinea Fowl Escape of 2026
Now, let’s talk about our guinea fowl.
If you’ve ever owned guinea fowl, you probably already know where this story is going.
About two weeks ago, we moved our guineas to the back acreage. Our hope was that they could eventually roam during the day, enjoy the pasture, help patrol for insects, and return to their pen at night.
Sounds like a wonderful plan, doesn’t it?
Well, apparently nobody explained that plan to the guineas.
When we gave them the opportunity to explore, they decided that returning home wasn’t nearly as important as we thought it should be.
And just like that, our peaceful little homestead turned into a guinea-fowl search-and-rescue operation!
Thankfully, we were able to locate our wandering feathered friends and get them safely back into their pen.
After doing more research, we’ve decided to keep them confined in their new location for at least four weeks before attempting supervised free-ranging again. We’re hoping that gives them more time to recognize their new pen as home.
Will it work?
Well, if we’ve learned anything about guinea fowl, it’s that they have opinions of their own!
We’ll keep you posted.
Lessons from Another Week on the Farm
One thing we’re coming to appreciate about building Aragon Acres is that every week teaches us something new.
Sometimes those lessons come from research. Sometimes they come from other farmers willing to share their knowledge.
And sometimes they come from chasing guinea fowl around the property!
We’re learning to pay attention, make adjustments, and remember that building a homestead isn’t about knowing everything from the beginning.
It’s about being willing to learn as we go.
And through all the feeding, cleaning, collecting eggs, and occasional animal adventures, we’re finding that some of the best moments are simply the ones we get to share together.
We’re two veterans with a dream of building something meaningful, and every little victory—and occasional misadventure—brings us one step closer.
Aragon Acres Question of the Week!
Calling all pig owners and experienced homesteaders!
We’ve recently started adding water to our Kunekunes’ dry feed, and we’d love to hear from those of you who have more experience.
- Do you feed your pigs dry pellets, moistened feed, or a mixture of both?
- If you feed slop, how long have you been doing it?
- Have you noticed any differences in your pigs’ health, digestion, or overall condition between wet and dry feed?
Share your experiences in the comments below!
We’re always eager to learn from fellow farmers and homesteaders. Who knows? Your advice or experience might even earn a mention in our next Aragon Acres blog post—with your permission, of course!
Until next time, may your egg baskets be full, your piggies be happy, and your guinea fowl remember where they live!
From our farm family to yours,
Aragon Acres
Two Veterans. One Dream. A Whole Lot of Animals.
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