The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: Hatty on February 24, 2011, 10:18:19 pm
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Hi we are thinking of buying a couple of weaners for our first try at pig keeping, are there any breeds more suited to first timers? :pig:
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Welcome, Hatty!
Have a look on this forum, even on just the first page you'll find answers to your question, mainly along the lines of "choose a lop eared one you like the look of" (lop eared (floppy eared) pigs being easier to keep as their ears hang in front of their eyes so they can't see that well where they're going, making them less likely to be adventurous escape artists like the prick-eared pigs), and because we all have our favourite breeds. There's no such thing as one particular breed being best.
:wave:
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Thanks eve :wave:and hello
I have just been having a look I suppose I should have done that first lol blonde!!!
Still not sure even having read the posts, problem is I like the look of them all :pig: but the thing about lop eared being a bit calmer even if it is only because of impaired vision is quite interesting.
Don't want to take on more than I can handle, and make a mess of things
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If you like the look of them all (sounds very familiar ;)), then you could base your decision on which weaners are available near you when you want them ready for pick-up. We want ours born in March, to pick up in May so that they're ready for slaughter late September / early October (they grow best in summer - with the same amount of feed and costs, you'll get more pork than from pigs raised in winter, plus it's much nicer to be covered in mud when it's warm outside. :D And for curing large air dried hams we need colder outside weather (hence late September / October for slaughter) as our fridge is far too small).
Then when you've found out what's available, visit some breeders and talk to them - you may find that you feel more at ease with or learn more from some than others. Some can deliver the weaners for you or advise you on fencing etc. It's also always interesting to see other people's set-ups.
:wave:
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Hello and welcome from Kent. :wave:
As a newbie to keeping pigs (we got our first two last Sunday GOS) I would recommend doing a course and a bit of research, Lots of friendly folk on here to answer any questions. We have spent most of the week outside gaining their trust, which hasn't taken long due to giving then apple slices! we are now allowed to scratch them and tickle tummies :D
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I started with tamworths as they were the only rare breeds available here at the time. Since I have had a fair selection of both French and English rare breeds. I am passionate about Gossies though. Wonderful gentle natures and great ham and bacon, plus tasty pork. What more can you ask from a pig.
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I agree with Eastling - if you are interested in keeping pigs then do a day course, it gives you so much confidence - plus a hotline for reassurance if anything concerns you :D
We did a course with Oaklands then got our 1st 4 weaners last year. I had a couple of newbie concerns the first weekend and got loads of support and advice from this forum and also Oaklands were on the end of a phine line. We thoroughly enjoyed keeping the pigs (Gloucester Old Spots) and the pork is DELICIOUS ;D
We've just got our weaners for this year - this time GOS x OSB - looking forward to the pork later this year :D
Have fun
Tish
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Hatty,
Being a fellow newcomer to the Pig keeping world I found it easier to search what breeds were available locally rather than find a breed and then find a breeder (if that makes sense). I have just reserved 2 british lops and a bekshire that have all been brought up together.
Not even took delivery yet but have already fallen in love with pictures etc!
Have fun
;D
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Sudanpan we also did a :pig: course at Oaklands and would highly rec Robin and Claire
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Looked at Oaklands but a bit far for me we are in South Yorkshire, doesn't seem to be a lot in our neck of the woods, but we are finding that a lot it.
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does any one have experience of Mangalitza's they look really interesting :pig:
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Hatty,
Sorry we are a way from you - you could buy our book !
Mangalitza's are not a first timer's pig. By all means get some for a second lot.
They are pushy, prick eared - see all , ours ran at us every time we went in and was quite bitey until tamed. Now she is lovely, but it takes a little knowledge to know how to handle. Bit like giving a porsche to a 17 year old - can be done, and chances are they may not kill themselves, but probably better to buy the Ford Focus and let them get used to it!
They have some differences to other rarebreeds:
They don't grow very big
They are very slow growing
They produce a much fattier meat, which is great for charcuterie, but not so good for ordimnary joints, chops etc.
They are very hairy, which the abattoirs don't like.
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Thanks for that Oaklands!! I'll forget those for a while then maybe look again later. I looked on your website the Oxford sandy & blacks look nice, very pretty. will have a look at ordering the book but not till pay day (next week), spent up this month buying fencing and hen housing lol :chook:
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OSB's are a great starters pig. They're docile, hardy, easy to manage and produce excellent, flavoursome meat AND they're very pretty to look at ;)
I've always been a fan, although I don't have any at the moment (so not at all biased ;D). But that's set to change in the next couple of months :pig: :love: :pig:
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I agree not mangalitsas for a first time pig owner. My friend had 3 sows. One never ever got into pig, one gave birth to one litter and never got into pig again and the third ran with 2 different m. boars and never became pregnant but got in with a gos and became pregnant immediately. Contrary pigs, although I do like them they have a lot of character.
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Hatty,
Where abouts in South Yorkshire are you?? We are Jnc 31 of M1 and just starting out with Pigs and take our delivery of weaners a week Saturday.
We have found a few breeders / pig suppliers in the area and can perhaps point you in the right direction (not saying our direction is right!!)
Maybe we could help eachother out somewhere along the way??
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I always tell prospective pig-keepers to try as many breeds (as long as they are suitable for requirements) as they can when they are just starting out.
Try two of one breed, then two of another, etc. You learn a lot about your own likes and dislikes (both whilst rearing and when you get the meat back from the abattoir).
Nice thing about rearing for pork is that it's not a long-term committment (max four months), so you CAN change your mind next time round. Experiment and enjoy.
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Large white is probably a good one to try or start out with. It is relatively quiet and a good milker. :wave:
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Large white are great pigs, however I found them not to be so hardy but that may just have been the strain from here. I still think GOS are unbeatable.
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Large white is probably a good one to try or start out with. It is relatively quiet and a good milker. :wave:
Now your confusing me didn't plan on milking the pigs lol :wave: if I can get some locally I think we are going to go for OSB after reading as much as I could get my hands on this week they seem a good all-rounder and they are cute too :pig:
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I suppose it depends if you're wanting to slaughter them for meat.
We've got three Kune Kunes which we've had since early January and they're lovely.
We've never had any intention of slaughtering these but thought they'd be a good starter breed for us to learn how to look after them, before expanding into meat production with more suitable breeds later.
Thoroughly recommended.