Two Veterans. One Dream. A Whole Lot of Animals.
If there’s one thing we’re discovering about building a homestead, it’s that just when we think we’re starting to figure something out, our animals give us another reason to head back to the research books!
This week at Aragon Acres, our chickens have been keeping us busy collecting eggs, while our three Kunekune pigs have us scratching our heads over feeding schedules, growth rates, and what exactly constitutes a healthy piggy waistline.
We’re learning something new every day, and we’re hoping some of you experienced homesteaders will share a little wisdom with us along the way!
Our Girls Apparently Didn’t Get the Memo About Winter!
We’ve been doing quite a bit of reading about raising laying hens, and one thing we’ve consistently come across is that egg production generally slows during the fall and winter months.
From what we’ve learned, chickens depend on daylight to help regulate their laying cycles. As the days get shorter, many hens naturally begin producing fewer eggs.
Well, apparently nobody told our girls!
This week, our five laying hens produced an incredible 27 eggs!
That’s an average of approximately 3.9 eggs per day.
Now, we realize that experienced chicken keepers with larger flocks might not think much of 27 eggs, but for our little operation, we’re pretty excited!
Especially considering that we’re heading into the time of year when we’re supposedly going to start seeing fewer eggs.
Instead of slowing down, our girls seem to be picking up the pace!
Maybe they’re just overachievers. Maybe they’re trying to impress us. Or perhaps they’re making sure we have plenty of eggs before winter arrives.
Whatever the reason, we’re certainly not complaining!
Every trip to the nesting boxes brings another little surprise, and we’re enjoying watching our flock become more productive.
From Our Nesting Boxes to Our First Branded Egg Cartons
One of the exciting things happening at Aragon Acres this week wasn’t actually in the chicken coop.
It was in our kitchen!
We’ve started putting our Aragon Acres logo on our egg cartons, and there’s something pretty special about seeing the name of our little farm stamped onto something we’ve worked so hard to produce.
What started as a dream of raising a few chickens and becoming more self-sufficient is slowly turning into something we can actually hold in our hands.
And yes, we’re probably a little more excited about an egg carton than most people would be!
But that’s what makes this adventure so much fun.
Every little milestone matters.
Three Kunekunes, Three Appetites, and One Confused Farmer!
If our chickens have us celebrating this week, our Kunekune pigs have us doing something entirely different.
Researching!
Bacon, Wilber, and Randi are growing, eating, and developing their own personalities. And we’re quickly discovering that figuring out how much to feed a growing Kunekune isn’t quite as simple as filling a bowl!
Here’s where our three little piggies currently stand:
| Pig | Age | Approximate Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Bacon | 3 months | 30 pounds |
| Wilber | 4 months | 40 pounds |
| Randi | 4 months | 50 pounds |
Now, we’re proud of how our pigs are growing, but we’re also trying to make sure we’re raising them properly.
One thing we’ve learned is that Kunekunes can gain weight pretty easily, and because they’re naturally round little pigs, determining whether they’re at a healthy weight isn’t always obvious to beginners like us.
We’ve read different recommendations about how much to feed them based on their body weight, age, and available pasture.
And wouldn’t you know it? Not every source seems to agree!
So we’re trying to learn how to balance proper nutrition, healthy growth, and keeping our pigs from becoming a little too enthusiastic about their dinner.
Because if there’s one thing Bacon, Wilber, and Randi agree on, it’s that feeding time is the best time of day!
What’s on the Menu at Aragon Acres?
When it comes to feeding our three Kunekunes, we’re learning that every pig has a different appetite!
Right now, we’re feeding Bacon, Wilber, and Randi Kalmbach Squeals of Joy Mini Pig Feed twice daily, once in the morning and once in the evening.
We also add a little water to their pellets before serving.
Here’s our current feeding routine:
Bacon — 30 pounds
- Morning: 1 scoop
- Evening: 1 scoop
- Total: Approximately 0.92 pounds of feed daily
Wilber — 40 pounds
- Morning: 1½ scoops
- Evening: 1½ scoops
- Total: Approximately 1.38 pounds of feed daily
Randi — 50 pounds
- Morning: 1¾ scoops
- Evening: 1¾ scoops
- Total: Approximately 1.61 pounds of feed daily
Each scoop holds approximately 0.46 pounds of pellets.
Of course, the challenge isn’t just figuring out how much they’re eating. It’s figuring out whether we’re feeding them the right amount!
We’ve come across recommendations suggesting different percentages of a pig’s body weight, but we’re discovering that age, activity level, pasture availability, and body condition all play important roles.
We’re still learning how to evaluate their body condition and make sure they’re growing at a healthy pace.
And that’s where we’d love some advice from experienced Kunekune owners!
How do you determine the right feeding amount for your growing Kunekunes? Do you measure their feed by weight, follow a percentage of body weight, or adjust based on body condition?
We’re especially interested in hearing how other small-farm owners manage feeding when their pigs don’t have much pasture available.
One thing is certain: Bacon, Wilber, and Randi have never complained about the menu!
And Let’s Not Forget the Hay!
One of the things that attracted us to Kunekune pigs was their reputation for being excellent grazers.
Unfortunately, there’s just one little problem.
Our pasture hasn’t quite caught up with our pigs!
As we’re continuing to develop Aragon Acres, our pigs don’t have nearly as much grass and natural forage available as we’d like.
And judging by their appetites, they’re certainly not interested in waiting for the pasture to grow!
To help supplement their diet, we’ve started offering alfalfa hay once a day, in addition to their regular pellet feed.
We’re learning that providing forage is an important part of managing Kunekunes, especially when pasture is limited.
But, as with just about everything else on this homesteading adventure, we still have questions!
Should we be offering grass hay instead of alfalfa? How much hay should three growing Kunekunes receive? And what’s the best way to provide it without having half of it trampled into the dirt?
We’re exploring different hay feeder designs and trying to find something practical, affordable, and easy to maintain.
Eventually, we’d love to see Bacon, Wilber, and Randi enjoying our rotational pastures, grazing happily and doing what Kunekunes do best.
Until then, we’re learning how to make the most of what we have.
For those of you raising Kunekunes, what type of hay do you recommend when pasture is limited?
We’d love to hear what works on your farm!
Learning Together, One Farm Chore at a Time
If there’s one thing we’re discovering about building Aragon Acres, it’s that homesteading isn’t something you learn overnight.
Some days, we feel like we’re finally getting the hang of things.
Other days, we’re standing in the pig pen wondering whether we’re feeding our animals too much, too little, or just right!
But that’s part of the adventure.
We’re not experienced farmers who have all the answers. We’re two Army veterans with a dream, a growing collection of animals, and a willingness to learn.
And we’re having a wonderful time figuring things out together.
This week brought us 27 fresh eggs, three growing Kunekunes, our first branded egg cartons, and plenty of questions about animal nutrition.
To some people, those might seem like small accomplishments.
To us, they’re reminders that Aragon Acres is becoming a little more real every day.
We know there will be challenges ahead, but we’re excited about what we’re building and grateful for the opportunity to share the journey.
After all, the best part of this adventure isn’t just watching our farm grow.
It’s building something meaningful together, one day at a time.
Aragon Acres Question of the Week!
We have a couple of questions for our fellow chicken keepers and Kunekune enthusiasts this week!
🐓 For our chicken-keeping friends:
Have your hens slowed down their egg production as the days have gotten shorter, or are they still laying strong?
Our five girls surprised us with 27 eggs this week, and we’d love to know whether other small flocks are experiencing the same thing!
🐷 For our Kunekune friends:
How do you determine the proper feeding amounts for growing Kunekunes?
Do you adjust their feed based on age, weight, body condition, or a combination of all three?
And when pasture is limited, do you prefer alfalfa hay or grass hay?
We’d love to hear your experiences!
Whether you’ve been raising livestock for decades or you’re just getting started like us, please share your thoughts in the comments below.
One of our goals with this blog is to create a community where we can learn from one another, celebrate our successes, and maybe laugh about a few mistakes along the way!
After all, we’re all learning something.
Until Next Time…
As another week comes to an end here at Aragon Acres, we’re reminded of just how blessed we are.
We have five hardworking hens keeping our egg baskets full, three growing Kunekune pigs keeping us on our toes, and a dream that continues to grow a little more every day.
Are we figuring everything out as we go? Absolutely!
Do we occasionally wonder what we’ve gotten ourselves into? You bet!
But would we trade this adventure for anything?
Not a chance.
We’re building more than just a farm. We’re building a life together, creating memories, and learning to appreciate the simple blessings that come with each new day.
Thank you for following along, sharing your knowledge, and being part of our journey.
Until next time, may your nesting boxes be full, your piggies be happy, and your blessings be plentiful!
With love from our little corner of East Texas,
Aragon Acres ❤️
Two Veterans. One Dream. A Whole Lot of Animals.
Matthew 19:26 (NIV)
“With God all things are possible.”
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