Our Surprise Kune Kune Piglets 🐷

A Lesson in Homesteading, Motherhood, and the Unexpected.

When you step into homesteading, you quickly learn that not everything goes according to plan—and sometimes, that’s where the magic happens and where God shows up to humble you.

Recently, we decided to take the leap into raising pigs for food. After doing our research on different breeds, we chose Kune Kune pigs. They’re known for being smaller in size and less destructive to land since they don’t root as aggressively as other breeds—something that felt like a good fit for our homestead.

We built their enclosure using T-posts and 4x4 hard wire fencing, creating a secure and simple space for them to settle in. Everything felt thoughtfully planned… or so we thought.

A Blessing We Didn’t Expect.

As it turns out, God had a different plan for us.

A friend of our son had a litter of pigs—too many to manage—and generously offered us a few for free. Locally, piglets were going for about $50 each, so this felt like a huge blessing. We chose two females to avoid any accidental pregnancies while we got our footing.

Our son Logan proudly named them Pigretta and Feisty, and we brought them home with the intention of eventually breeding them once we felt confident in our abilities.

But… surprise!

One morning, I walked outside to feed them and found three tiny, living piglets—and one that sadly didn’t make it. One of our girls had come to us already pregnant.

Witnessing Motherhood Again

The three surviving piglets—two girls and one boy—were absolutely adorable. I was able to hold them, and what surprised me most was how calm their mama was. As she fed them, I would sit beside her, gently rubbing her belly to comfort her.

And I’ll be honest… I cried like a baby.

Watching her care for her babies stirred something deep in me. Having birthed and breastfed my own three children, I understood that pulling, that constant need from the babies, and the quiet strength it takes to meet it. Seeing it play out in the animal world—raw, instinctual, and beautiful—was overwhelming in the best way.

It came so naturally to her. She was everything those babies needed. And I prayed for the strength and knowledge to help her and them anyway I could.

Adjusting and Learning Quickly

Not long after the piglets arrived, a cold front moved in. We quickly secured their space, adding a heat lamp and making sure they had a warm, dry area to stay safe.

As part of their care, we gave the piglets their iron supplement shot. Interestingly, after that, they stopped letting me handle them as much—which, in a way, made it easier for us to keep our focus on raising them for food. I have been told by a nurse friend that the iron is thick and probably hurt when it was injected. They are super smart animals so they may equate me with pain now.

Homesteading has a way of balancing emotion and purpose.

Watching Them Grow

These little ones are growing fast—almost doubling in size each week. They are incredibly entertaining to watch, full of personality and curiosity.

Mama is eating significantly more to keep up with nursing, but now, at around four weeks old, the piglets are beginning to:

• Nibble on pig starter pellets

• Explore their surroundings

• Root gently in the grass for food

It’s amazing to see their independence starting to develop.

Looking Ahead

This experience has been nothing short of incredible—unexpected, emotional, and deeply rewarding.

We went into this wanting to try raising pigs… and instead, we were given a front-row seat to new life, motherhood, and growth on the homestead.

We’ll continue to share updates as they grow, but for now, we’re soaking in every moment. We have friends betting against us raising them for food, but that is our goal. We will do our best to reach our goal and keep you posted on the journey.

Because sometimes, the best parts of homesteading are the ones you never planned for.