The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: Lambic on November 16, 2025, 11:58:00 am

Title: Considering first pigs
Post by: Lambic on November 16, 2025, 11:58:00 am
Hello

Hoping for some advice as I am total beginner to keeping pigs.

When I finally stop working, I hope to have an initial trial of keeping a few pigs.  Given up on the goat idea :)  If that works out, then possibly expanding a little.  All for personal consumption for the foreseeable future.

I am a registered smallholding of about 30 acres, so I should find a suitable spot.

Obviously there are so many questions, but I guess the first one is what kind of regulations would I have to comply with here in Scotland ?

I intend a do a great deal of research on species, pens etc, but the dealing with the authorities is a different matter....

Many thanks
Title: Re: Considering first pigs
Post by: SallyintNorth on November 16, 2025, 01:42:12 pm
I'm not in Scotland so I won't offer more than suggesting you have a look at the guides and articles here (https://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/livestock/pigs/) on TAS.  "Starting with Pigs" talks about the regs in Scotland, and in England & Wales.
Title: Re: Considering first pigs
Post by: Lambic on November 16, 2025, 01:46:50 pm
Thank you Sally.  I shall have a good read.

In terms of meat quality, which is the most significant quality for me, which breeds are recommended for beginners growing on ?

Cheers