[muddypuddle]

Hello,
 New to the site busy gathering more ideas for hopefully a small holding. My partner is an arable farmer, I have horses and originally from Shropshire and rural background. At the moment we just have veg and my horses (and tortoise and ferrets). We will be moving into one of the farm cottages shortly and behind is an roughly 3 and a half acres. Some of this is already down to grass and we plan to put more down to grass. The horses I think will stay at livery (for various reasons).
We would both like some pigs  so I am looking into various options for keeping them and whether to breed them ourselves or to buy in weaners. Either way I would preferably keep more than 2 or 3 if we go for weaners as I don't want to get too attached. I am not hiding my head in the sand I want to offer them a good life and reap the rewards of that too and end up with some tasty home reared meat. I would also like various poultry quail and ducks for eggs (to begin with).
Still all dreams yet but I am always open to suggestions and advice.  Thank you

[DavidandCollette]

 :wave:from North Lincolnshire.  We are looking to get two or three weaners next year as a start point.  Good luck

[pharnorth]

Hi muddypuddle, I am in Cambridgeshire too. You must be in a wetter part than I am though!  This is our third year keeping wearers. We had 2 Saddlebacks in year one, 4 GOS/S&B in year two and this year 4 Berkshires. We have kept them June to November then have the winter months off. Great fun, love having them, and also love doing and eating the ham and bacon. 

[Rosemary]

Hello and welcome from  Carnoustie.

[devonlady]

And from Devon.

[Kimbo]

hello from Lancashire

[honeyend]

I agree with [member=30154]pharnorth[/member] , there is a lot of clay round here, we have about 8ft of it then rock, no fen peat at all. Getting weaners is March/April and then take them September. I used Leeches at Royston.
  Find your scruffiest patch of ground  and let them turn it over, then you will no be upset when they make a mess. Easiest animal I have ever kept. Cheapest place for animal feed, Highgate Willingham unless you can get it better in bulk. Give me a pm if you want.

[Caroline1]

Welcome, sounds like you are going along a similar path to me that took on 3.5 acres at the end of last year. I am also Cambridgeshire, Ramsey area. Whereabouts are you?

I had 2 Saddlebacks at the beginning of the year and currently have 2 GOS. I am now completely hooked on eating my own pork. Everyone I spoke to said start by rearing weaners as it is a lot cheaper than keeping a sow in feed and there is a lot of paperwork needed with breeding etc. I have to admit, it is much easier to buy weaners, there are loads of pig farmers in our area and an easy way to start. If you are nearish, happy to pass on contact details of the 2 places we got ours from.

I also buy from Highgate, although have just discovered feedability in pondersbridge which is a bit closer and a bit cheaper.

[sss]

Hi from Ely.

Pigs are next year's task for us, just turkeys for this year's expansion.

[muddypuddle]

Nice to meet lots of friendly people about we're not far from Ramsey at the moment. Rough how much space do people recommend per weaner? Along with feed can you feed cereals seen as my other half is arable,  I have read people feeding bruised wheat as part of a ration? Thanks

[benkt]

Hi from Willingham - all welcome to pop in for a cuppa when you're done shopping at Highgate!

For weaners, I run half a dozen in 25m X 25m paddocks - they just about trash that by the time they have to move on.

Ben

[Caroline1]

You are welcome to pop round and meet my pigs if you are not far, just pm me.

[pharnorth]

I am near Royston.  My pig paddock is about 25m square too. It is more than I need but gives the flexibility if I go for a sow in due course.  At the other end of the spectrum you may well have visited Wimpole ( I volunteer there on a Monday) where there are hard standing pens which is also an option especially if you can combine in with a turn out paddock. 

[The Mobile Butcher]

Hi, from whitby, North Yorkshire.