The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: princesspiggy on March 11, 2011, 09:31:53 pm

Title: other hardy breeds
Post by: princesspiggy on March 11, 2011, 09:31:53 pm
our tamworths are thriving but completely not mollicoddled (tho they do have a good dry straw bed) on freerange woodland , including spiky conifers and nettles, can be very windy and exposed, and lots of snow (ne scotland)
if i was to consider a 2nd breed, would other breeds cope as well in same environment. i quite like GOS and saddlebacks.
also we once had a mixed bunch of pedigree sheep. and they divided themselves into mini flocks according to their breed (not joking) would pigs do this aswell if different breeds were keep together? im hoping one breed wouldnt bully the other need separating.
just curious
Title: Re: other hardy breeds
Post by: robert waddell on March 11, 2011, 10:05:30 pm
you are right with the sheep separating into there own groups gangs or breeds was told this at collage 40yrs ago
cant say it happens with pigs
all the breeds of pigs will suit your enviroment
Title: Re: other hardy breeds
Post by: princesspiggy on March 11, 2011, 10:16:39 pm
are GOS and saddlebacks as tough as eachother (forgot to say the land is quite steep too)
so how does a balwen know its not a herdwick? would tha not indicate a higher level of intelligence?
 :o ;D
Title: Re: other hardy breeds
Post by: shetlandpaul on March 12, 2011, 10:03:32 am
well its obvious one has a welsh accent and the other a cumbrian. or it could just be that the smell or act slightly diffrent.
Title: Re: other hardy breeds
Post by: Helencus on March 12, 2011, 10:28:24 am
Lol I'd like to think that the accents were different Paul.
As for saddlebacks yes they're very hardy. We had temps of -15 this winter loads of snow and mine were fine. Nice warm arc with plenty of straw and a floor in and no problems
Title: Re: other hardy breeds
Post by: princesspiggy on March 12, 2011, 10:50:04 am
well its obvious one has a welsh accent and the other a cumbrian.

 ;D ;D ;D and i suppose the soays jumped the fences and buggered off cos i was english  ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: other hardy breeds
Post by: robert waddell on March 12, 2011, 11:39:34 am
it is funny how working with livestock can make you cynical to the point of being a comedian  :) ;) :wave:
now have you considered Hampshire's they can withstand the Scottish winter friendly and quick growing and finishing and not just because we have them  :wave:
Title: Re: other hardy breeds
Post by: HappyHippy on March 12, 2011, 11:56:29 am
And Kune Kune's  ;) ;D
They're REALLY hardy ! All that hair makes for great insulation  :D :D :D
Ours were fine in -20 and DEEP snow too.
I know they're not on your radar - but got to give the wee guys a plug at every opportunity  ;) ;D
Title: Re: other hardy breeds
Post by: little blue on March 12, 2011, 05:37:47 pm
And I'll second HH, for similar reasons...  ::D
Title: Re: other hardy breeds
Post by: princesspiggy on March 12, 2011, 06:36:03 pm
i do try to support british rare breeds but sooo interested in mangalitzas. theyd be pretty hardy i expect. never actually seen a real one though. are they smaller than a tammie?
Title: Re: other hardy breeds
Post by: robert waddell on March 12, 2011, 06:41:02 pm
princess there are mangolitzas in mintlaw :) :) :) i am sure there details are on the SPKA web site if not they will be going on
Title: Re: other hardy breeds
Post by: HappyHippy on March 12, 2011, 06:49:05 pm
They are on  ;D
Here's the link http://scottishpigs.webs.com/experiencedbreeders.htm (http://scottishpigs.webs.com/experiencedbreeders.htm)

Princess Piggy - get yourself signed up through the website so you're added to the mailing list for important updates !
AND everybody else for that matter  ;) ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: other hardy breeds
Post by: princesspiggy on March 12, 2011, 07:03:34 pm
i need to join bpa 1st, will do that next week, just been busy (on here mainly - lol)
iv sent an enquiry... we could always get a few to fatten. whats their meat like, are they killed at 6 mths and do u need to castrate them?...would be so cute tho    ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: other hardy breeds
Post by: princesspiggy on March 12, 2011, 07:04:57 pm
and KK's would be fun for  change, but i think the kids would have them in the house (aswell as the goat) lol
Title: Re: other hardy breeds
Post by: Hilarysmum on March 13, 2011, 09:39:16 am
My mangalitsas were smaller than my tammies and not quite so fast, but amazing escape artists as they didnt get such a hit from the electric with their really hairy coats.  They tasted delicious.  We cant keep mangalitsas as Hilary has a death hate on them.
Title: Re: other hardy breeds
Post by: princesspiggy on March 13, 2011, 11:02:07 am
how would you introduce weaners gilts to older gilts/sows? keep them fenced apart for a few weeks then hope for the best? or keep 2 separate groups longterm?
Title: Re: other hardy breeds
Post by: Hilarysmum on March 13, 2011, 11:55:28 am
If introducing as a group I would have fencing between them, let them get used to each other over the fence.  When integrating I would try move them all into a new field if one was available.  I would expect some scrapping until they establish a hierarchy
Title: Re: other hardy breeds
Post by: robert waddell on March 13, 2011, 12:07:14 pm
alice a tamworth was introduced to the hamlops they had been in the next pen without any fighting  BUT ALL PIGS ARE DIFFERENT EVEN ON THE SAME HOLDING