The Pig Ran

Over 100 students got to visit with a piglet last Thursday at Lowell Elementary in Waterloo. This was no ordinary piglet however. This was a Meishan piglet. The Meishan breed originated from China but came to the United States in 1989 when there was an interest to study the international breed.

Meishans can grow up to 250-400 lbs. They can be light gray to dark gray in color and have rough hair. They may have pink noses, but most common is to have a black nose. Meishans have pendulous ears and develop deep fatty folds on their faces as they mature. The breed of pig is also extremely docile and even sedentary.

The piglet, who the students named, 'flower' is 30 days old.

After being read a story about pork production in Iowa, the students sat around in a circle, which formed the 'fence' so that the piglet could be in the 'pasture'.

Students were able to pet the piglet and observe her walking around the classroom.

After the lesson, the kids talked about what they liked about the pig:

'I liked the piglets hair'

"I liked the piglets snout, it was made of rubber and it was a little dirty!'

'The piglet ran and Ms. Sarah cought her legs!'

'The pig ran'

There is nothing like seeing the kids smile and their eagerness to touch farm animal. Their reaction to the piglet's grunting, squeals and bristly hair was priceless!