Author Topic: starting off with pigs in woodland (Read 5030 times)

tobytoby · « **on:** May 25, 2011, 01:13:01 pm »

Hi all.
I am new to the site and hopefully after 23 years in wet North Ayrshire Scotland, i will at last purchase some land adjacent to my house.

There is approx 3 acres of mature woodland with approx 50 mature trees,bramble,hawtorn etc.The land is flat over half the running length, with the remainder a slope onto the level, & an adjacent field of 6 acres which for the last 10 years has had horses grazing, soil seems heavy and usually soft/wet, as far as i am aware nothing but grass has ever been here.

I would like to keep pigs/hens (food & sell on )and 2 goats for my animal mad daughter (11) to train to pull & cart (as pets), in the woods, but not sure yet what i will do with the field.

Any suggestions and thoughts would be useful.

SallyintNorth · « **Reply #1 on:** May 25, 2011, 02:35:39 pm »

Welcome and congratulations. Sounds like a great plan, you'll have a lot of fun. You could think about sheep in the field then sell lamb / mutton as well as pork / eggs. If it's had horses on it for 10 years it maybe would appreciate a bit of a lift - there are others who will probably be better at advising the best way to go about this.

Have fun anyway and know doubt you will let us know how you get on!

Cheers
Sally in north Cumbria

Beewyched · « **Reply #2 on:** May 25, 2011, 09:58:48 pm »

Hiya & welcome

We're not that far from you - just over the border in Renfrewshire, just up the road from Beith.

We've got a small herd of KuneKunes & various breeds of chickens & ducks (also have bees & dogs).

If you're considering keeping pigs, & if you aren't doing anything this Saturday, then Lesmahagow Show would be a good day out for the family. The SPKA have managed to get pig classes there & it will be the first time in 30 years pigs have been shown in Scotland. You will get a chance to see most of the breeds kept up here (as well as 2 of my Kunes, with me making a complete

out of myself chasing them around the ring

) as well as a lot of other friendly folk from TAS.

Be great to see you if you can make it.

tobytoby · « **Reply #3 on:** May 26, 2011, 09:27:39 am »

Thanks Bewyched. Yes you are not far from me (Dalry) and maybe i could pop in sometime and have a chat and pick your brains? unfortunately i don't think i could make the show?

Tudful Tamworths · « **Reply #4 on:** May 27, 2011, 12:49:08 am »

Have a look on the CALU (Centre for Alternative Land Use) website for info. There's a fact sheet on pigs in woodland. http://www.calu.bangor.ac.uk/

Beewyched · « **Reply #5 on:** May 27, 2011, 08:02:06 pm »

Quote from: tobytoby on May 26, 2011, 09:27:39 am

Thanks Bewyched. Yes you are not far from me (Dalry) and maybe i could pop in sometime and have a chat and pick your brains? unfortunately i don't think i could make the show?

You're welcome anytime, not sure if the brain's worth picking at though

just PM me first to make sure i get the kettle on

tobytoby · « **Reply #6 on:** May 27, 2011, 08:24:57 pm »

Beewyched - Looks like i will make the show tomorrow, i will look out for the KK's being chased around the park and i will spot you? :

Beewyched · « **Reply #7 on:** May 27, 2011, 09:10:28 pm »

Yep - I'll be the one yelling in the strange Welsh/West Midlands accent & with the purple hair, chasing around in a white (why do they insist on white when showing animals

) coat after a little hairy pig

Glad you can make it