25th February 2014

From the sublime to the ridiculous. About 20 pens of pigs in today, thinner crowd but still running alongside the bird auction. Thought the day might be strange when the first two pens of 2 had a £10 reserve on them, and didn't sell. Then a buyer asked to purchase them 2 lots later.... this buyer went on to buy another run of paired babies (unsexed) Then also bought all the dealers' at their reserves, and with a couple of exceptions they also had all the other lots A couple were close to minimum bid, some were several pounds more. Boars and sows alike.
Now, we go to the auctions to buy unwell or young stock, or those who appear in pig and also anything that is not wanted. So I came home empty handed. I have no opinion on the buyer today, I have seen them around before but not seen them grabbing so many. At first I thought perhaps they were buying babies for shop resale, but why so many older boars too? But they handled the pigs well, and seemed ok so I have to hope their intentions are as good as they can be.
Many thanks to my able assistants today who did little other than trot backwards and works watching for the start of the sales! But thank you very much for making the effort and joining me. Hopefully now you have seen what we try to do I can send you on any days I can't make it!

18th February 2014

No pictures this week i'm afraid. I ended up having no help at all, and with it being school holidays I knew I was going to be in trouble. The furries are still in the same area as the birds, and there was no way you could see into half of the pens as the crowd watching the bird bidding was too dense. I listed what I could though. Lots of rabbits, a run from the usual dealer, and some pigs from an unknown seller. Had a chat with the buyer known as Mr Shiny Shoes, as I thought he has grandchildren who help with the animals he buys, and his daughter helps and rehomes what is suitable. We were both down in the tat sale trying to buy run and hutches too! He's certainly not buying for bait, all good news.
Lots of bidders and buyers meant some of the dealers' lots went for silly prices.... one pair of baby sows went for £26! Last week they didn't get a bid I bought two beautiful satin baby sows cheaply and thought that would be it. Then a couple of pens held pigs, some of those it was impossible to see into (the bird auction was still going when the rabbits started...two lots of shouting in the same area. Chaos) I ended up with both lots, two ginger sows and a black very very funky boy.
I was ready to go and fetch the car down, then noticed the auctioneer had more paperwork, turned out there were more pens around the corner, and then even more in the old area the sales were previously held! Most of the buyers had moved off by then, so nothing was gaining bids. I followed the usual principle of buying guinea pigs that were not raising any bids at all. Tell me, those of you who feel buying is wrong, what do you think will happen to these animals? If they can't make £1 in the sales, are the sellers really going to take them home, care for them, ensure they have the correct diet and environment? Or just off load them anywhere they can so they don't lose more money. Abandon them there in the pens. Neck them. Harsh? It's the reality of life i'm afraid.
This way they have every possible chance to go on to live a good quality of life. You might think that donating £1 to the rescue will not help. It will help these guinea pigs enormously I can assure you. Please carry on helping us to help them.
I bought 9 lots, most had multiple pigs in, all for minimum bids. Boars and sows, mixed ages. Avalon don't 'choose' who to save, any that are in need will be welcomed.
Then even fewer buyers headed around the corner to the dozen or so pens stuck around there. Two had pigs in, one lot of two boars attracted a bid from another 'family' type buyer, I had the other pen.
So poor Shaz had to endure my arrival with boxes of pigs. Room was found, pigs were checked over and they were soon eating. I was also handed over 5 young boars from one of the dealers, a sweet chap with an eye issue and four other healthy boys that should be suitable for rehoming soon.
Again, sorry for the lack of photos, trying to do everything alone is a complete nightmare. If you can help in the future that would be great, most weeks it's easy but occasionally we get a manic one like that was. I do have a few friends I can call on, but unfortunately in this case I found out I would be alone too late to drag anyone in

11th February 2014

Ok, it's winter now! Had to contend with a hail/rain/snow storm when we were at the auction today, boy was it cold! The cages are of course undercover but they are metal and i'm sure very cold for the pigs. Luckily there were not many in today, the usual run from the dealer and then a group from an unknown seller. All those sold, but just one pen from the dealer was sold through the auction. I was happy to let them go for reasonable amounts as usual, but there was a buyer who did their very utmost to obscure a pen and stop others getting close. Me being me I decided to run them up Then I decided I would rather have them myself They are two aby sows, listed as in pig. I figured them and their unborn babies would be better off with Avalon! Very sweet, but completely terrified. They are still sat in the same place in their overnight b&b, not made any attempt to even nibble the fruit/veg/food. I've left them now, and will see what they take overnight.
I also bought a small choc/white boar and two sows from the dealer. One sow is small and about 2 months old, the other is bigger and apparently 'mated'. Wouldn't be a surprise if both were. I got the boar because he is sweet, and because I like to take one from them when I can. It is a good idea not to alienate the dealers completely as from the inside there is a chance to re educate. I have explained about the fungal, and now when one is suffering they bring them to me. Not ideal, but the main thing is the pigs are then receiving treatment rather than suffering on.
Total cost today: £10 (plus commission) for the two abys, £4 each for the sows and £2 for the little boar. These two groups are eating and are bright and alert 

4th February 2014

About 20 pens of piggies in, and double that of rabbits. Most the pigs sold, and went to more private looking bidders. As usual I was there on behalf of Avalon to pick up the unwanted animals, along with any that looked in need of attention or care. It's a tough time of the year, and the rescue's finances are low so we have to be careful, but there is no way we are going to leave in need guineas to the mercy of the dealers and innocent buyers.

Today was a real example of why we go. The first pig through was a white sow, sat in the back of her pen with her eyes closed looking thoroughly miserable. We had decided to buy her before we knew what sex she was, and even more so when it became clear she was a girl and a lethal.

For those who don't realise, the gene that creates the roan guinea pigs, carries a 'lethal' element, that has no effect until doubled up in the breeding pen. So if mum and dad are both roans then there's a 50% chance the progeny will be 'lethals'. These are often born blind, with major teeth malformation, and also can have poorly formed insides. Many live very short lives, others appear to manage until their teeth prevent them eating, as this little girl has found. The ignorant breeders that continue this process should be strung up, it only causes heartache. Some may not realise the issue, others carry on regardless.

Anyway, this sow was not going back into the breeding game. I was determined she was coming back with me. But no one was interested anyway, and she came to Avalon for a minimum bid of £1. She did look very ill to be fair, as it turns out it's more from malnutrition than anything else. 

We also collected 3 very young boys, all beautifully marked but suffering from patches of fungal, a black rex type lad who apart from being terrified is rather nice..... and a cage of hay.

Yep you read that right. There was no piggy in sight. Just a load of hay with a 'lump' in it. He was the last pig sold and we decided to take a punt on him, although we had to go to £3 to get him! Turned out he was the most adorable hairy peru type lad, and very even tempered. Glad he's safe now

All are at Avalon now, the little white lady is called Snowflake and will stay at the rescue. Her front teeth have been clipped, as have her rear ones. They are growing out sideways rather than up, so they will never wear properly. But now they are no longer digging into her mouth and tongue I'm sure she'll be happier. She immediately started foraging in the cage we put her in, and a foster 'auntie' started to give her attention. She may be older than she appears, and is small due to lack of nutrients. But it doesn't matter, she's safe now.