Pig loves chicken friend who gives him back scratches [Video]

• Francisco, a Vietnamese potbellied pig, formed an unlikely friendship with Alice the hen in an animal sanctuary.
• An avian flu lockdown forced Alice to be moved indoors, where she spent a lot of time with Francisco.
• The two quickly became friends after Alice started giving Francisco back scratches with her claws.

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A pig and a hen formed an unlikely friendship after an avian flu lockdown brought them together.

Francisco, a 4-year-old Vietnamese potbellied pig, was moved to the Tribe Animal Sanctuary in Lanarkshire, Scotland, after his former owner could no longer care for him. The teenage girl got him for her birthday and was surprised when he grew beyond his advertised “micropig” size.

His new owner, Morag Sangster, runs the sanctuary and allows him to spend time indoors and run along with her four dogs.

It was there that he met Alice, a 2-year-old hen, who was rescued from a battery farm used for fast food production.

Alice was previously staying in the sanctuary’s outdoor area, but she had to be moved indoors in November to avoid an avian flu outbreak.

Francisco and Alice quickly became best friends.

Alice would regularly give Francisco back scratches by standing on his back and stretching her claws.

Morag shared, “I think all pigs love to have scratches on their back. Alice will jump on Francisco’s back, and you can tell he likes it.”

Morag said that she’s assured that the giant pig wouldn’t squash his chicken pal since he clearly enjoys their time together.

Alice will eventually be able to return outside, but Morag thinks she may choose to stay indoors to be with her friend.

Morag and her partner John Ryan, have a full house of animals. They have 60 hens, 50 sheep, seven goats, seven pigs, five geese, five turkeys, four Highland cows, and three donkeys, in addition to their four dogs.

“We like to see animals as fun-loving creatures,” Morag shared. “There’s no difference between pets and livestock.”

Source: PEOPLE