The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Sheep => Topic started by: MiriMaran on November 04, 2010, 02:47:34 pm

Title: Can my sheep and pigs share the same field?
Post by: MiriMaran on November 04, 2010, 02:47:34 pm

If I am careful at feeding time is it feasible for pigs and sheep to share the same space - it is 1 1/2 acres, 4 Soay & 2 GOS.

Title: Re: Can my sheep and pigs share the same field?
Post by: gavo on November 04, 2010, 03:12:59 pm

Without a doubt NO. Eventually the sheep wiil try stealing the pig food and vice versa ;whilst it wont harm the pigs, over a period of time it WILL KILL the sheep if they continuously steal a bit of pig food and believe me they are very good at stealing other animals feed.

Title: Re: Can my sheep and pigs share the same field?
Post by: daddymatty82 on November 04, 2010, 03:57:48 pm

and you will have to watch out for constant fighting. bet a pig would take a few chunks out of a sheep in no time at all.   i was always told years ago by a pig farmer before the ban of slops  they said you can always tell a pig farmer by looking at the farmers hands.

Title: Re: Can my sheep and pigs share the same field?
Post by: lachlanandmarcus on November 04, 2010, 05:03:02 pm

PIG = omnivore so not a great idea.... plus the food poisoning issue for the sheep..... :'( noooooooo

Title: Re: Can my sheep and pigs share the same field?
Post by: andywalt on November 04, 2010, 07:30:58 pm

also you will find that the pigs will plough up the pasture rooting about and ruin the grazing for the sheep!!

Title: Re: Can my sheep and pigs share the same field?
Post by: shetlandpaul on November 04, 2010, 07:38:47 pm

so true ours are in a 1/2 acre garden. they have really tured it into a bog. in both senses. which is what we intended. but you would lose sheep in the mud if they stayed together. still on the bright side the docks are gone. and we hould have some good veg next year.

Title: Re: Can my sheep and pigs share the same field?
Post by: MiriMaran on November 05, 2010, 08:12:24 pm

Thanks guys, you've all confirmed what I thought.

Title: Re: Can my sheep and pigs share the same field?
Post by: pikilily on November 08, 2010, 05:45:59 pm

so Daddymatty, what would you be looking for in the pig farmers hands........worriedly examining my own!!!!  I have never heard that expression - i am curious!!
Emma T

Title: Re: Can my sheep and pigs share the same field?
Post by: NLL on November 08, 2010, 06:49:23 pm

I think he means they wouldn,t have all the fingers left on do to the pigs eating them.

Title: Re: Can my sheep and pigs share the same field?
Post by: daddymatty82 on November 08, 2010, 09:24:14 pm

Quote from: NLL on November 08, 2010, 06:49:23 pm

I think he means they wouldn,t have all the fingers left on do to the pigs eating them.

exactly right not all but a load of old time pig farmers as in had them since they farmed

Title: Re: Can my sheep and pigs share the same field?
Post by: pikilily on November 09, 2010, 09:36:57 am

LOL OK!!  still got all mine. must be lucky - my two are very couthy... have never bitten me. They got a couple of taps on the snout when they tried to taste my wellies, but other than that they have been very docile...... they queue up patiently for their scratches and brushing.

Still, I have not let my guard down, and am very careful where I do handle them...ie hands away from mouths and teeth!!! LOL
Emma T

Title: Re: Can my sheep and pigs share the same field?
Post by: ScotsGirl on November 16, 2010, 06:17:44 pm

Well I passed a field last week which had both in.  Some scruffy looking sheep who didn't look very happy and 2 or 3 big porkers happily ploughing the grass!  Presumably it is ok as long as the hard feed doesn't get pinched.  Some piggies must be fairly placid and Adam's Farm has them grazing together.

Title: Re: Can my sheep and pigs share the same field?
Post by: robert waddell on November 16, 2010, 06:34:30 pm

Adam Henson's pigs are ringed to stop them rooting.