The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: Pigglewiggle on January 26, 2009, 10:50:39 pm

Title: Getting started
Post by: Pigglewiggle on January 26, 2009, 10:50:39 pm

 Hello,

  We are planning to get 2 or 3 piglets soon to start our journey to one day having our own smallholding. Do we need to get them all at once ? or can you introduce them at intervals ?
 Any advice would be gratefully received

  Thanks

  Debbie  :pig:

Title: Re: Getting started
Post by: garden cottage on January 26, 2009, 11:51:42 pm

I would get 2 for now,see how you get on, we got 3 initially and the one tamworth was much older than the other 2 glos old spots which did cause problems. pigs are very sociable animals need the company of another. good luck you wont regret it.........neil

Title: Re: Getting started
Post by: Guy on January 26, 2009, 11:52:53 pm

personally i would get them all together so they all know their pecking order from day one and if all for meat then less stressful as they all go off together - but i guess it depends if they are being kept for meat or breeding or pets? no doubt more knowledgable advice then mine will be along shortly - good luck :pig:

Title: Re: Getting started
Post by: MrsJ on January 28, 2009, 01:29:21 pm

We got six Gloucesters all at the same time.  4 went for pork and we kept the other two on to fatten for bacon.  We now have a further three over the winter and are hoping to expand later this year. 

Title: Re: Getting started
Post by: Rosemary on January 28, 2009, 06:45:46 pm

A stable group is easiest to manage for you and least stressful for the pigs. Adding new pigs to an established group will need careful management.

Title: Re: Getting started
Post by: Hilarysmum on January 29, 2009, 08:52:06 am

When we first started with pigs we got 2 then another arrived the following day.  Put her in with the other two, and WW3 broke out.  Took a lot of fencing, and some time to reintroduce her to the other two.