Mary and Jimmy Dean

Jimmy is a big boy. He's several inches taller and longer than his mother. He weighs about 150 and he's not overweight. He's long and, although he does not posses the conformation of a show pig, he does have blue ribbons won for his great agility and training on obstacle courses at the StateFair.

I really searched for a small boar when we bred Jimmy's mom, but I didn't know much about PB pigs then as I do now. This boar was only about 10 months old and all the right papers. He was much smaller than my sow but he must have matured much bigger because all of Angel's babies were big!
Jimmy could not have had more attention and love since the day he was born but he really does not like to be touched much at all. He responds highly to voice and praise. When I call him "James", he knows he's in trouble. He rarely goes down for a belly rub and only for my husband. I try not to let that hurt my feelings. We traveled a lot with him when he was younger and much smaller. We went to out of town training classes and PB pig shows. That was great fun!
Jimmy Dean is just a big baby and he's very sweet. He enjoys coming inside and he just quietly wanders around. We have to keep an eye on him, though. If he goes upstairs, he just loves the wallpaper up there and he licks it and tore a piece off. I understand this is quite common with PB pigs, something about the glue.

We haven't had too many problems with Jimmy Dean. I was concerned because he never had any hair like his mom until I gave him mineral supplements on his food every day. About a week later he had all these little hairs pop out all over and now his hair and skin look much better. I also stopped switching brands of feed. I only feed Nutrena brand. If I change to Mazuri, it's not long before they all lose their hair. I've tested this more than once and it's true with my pigs.

Jimmy has quite the tusks and we need to take him in for a trim. I know his mother had severe reactions to injectable anesthesia so I'm taking him to Dr. Kahn, a local vet, who has gas available and is knowledgeable about PB pigs. I trim Jimmy's hooves at night while he's asleep in his bed. I can also clean his eyes while he's in bed.

We do baths and clean ears with a hose hooked up to warm water and a big bowl of popcorn. As long as the popcorn holds out, they let me scrub, clean, and moisturize. I use no tears shampoo and they seem to enjoy Avon Skin So Soft.

My pigs thrive on routine, routine, routine. It is this reason why we don't go out of town much. I have a great neighbor who loves and cares for my animals but my heartstrings tug knowing that they may be upset somehow.

Jimmy Dean knows that he gets a treat when he goes to bed. He cracks me up sometimes when I go outside in the middle of a sunny afternoon and he runs to his house, stands in his bed, turns and waits for me to come give him a treat. And he's so cute, I always do.