The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: melholly on June 14, 2011, 03:26:28 pm

Title: keeping pigs...all good?
Post by: melholly on June 14, 2011, 03:26:28 pm

Hello all,

I normally post on poultry/sheep/fruit/dogs but am being persuaded by DH to 'look into' keeping a couple of weaners to bring up to weight then slaughter. I'm just wondering how easy it is to keep them? I'm guessing it takes around 6 months for the process to do this - is now a good time therefore to be getting weaners? Also (based east sussex) where on earth would I start looking for them - rare breeds only?

Thanks all - your experiences and advice much appreciated

Mx
http://selfridgestoscats.blogspot.com (http://selfridgestoscats.blogspot.com)

Title: Re: keeping pigs...all good?
Post by: oaklandspigs on June 14, 2011, 03:32:28 pm

We are in East Sussex - check the "for sale" page of our website for weaner availability - www.oaklandspigs.co.uk (http://www.oaklandspigs.co.uk)

We also do a book on keeping pigs and run pig keeping courses.

Pigs for fattening are fairly easy to keep once you know how, and yes you would be getting them at about 2 months and taking them off at 6-8 months old for pork, so will have them 4-6 months.

Title: Re: keeping pigs...all good?
Post by: nelson on June 14, 2011, 06:53:23 pm

Hello Mx :wave:

Love your blog - great opportunity now to have some weaners (porkers in time for Christmas) haven't been to Oaklands certainly worth a trip - and you will get a feel for the weaners that will suit you. Wonder what  rare breed you will "choo's"

Yours in love with Berkshires (France)

Title: Re: keeping pigs...all good?
Post by: manian on June 14, 2011, 07:14:12 pm

we've got oaklands book and its fab and good value for money.
 It also answers those q's that you wonder but can't find in other books

we started with 4 and are just sending the second team of 6 girls now......
a warning....... very addictive
Mx

Title: Re: keeping pigs...all good?
Post by: Sudanpan on June 14, 2011, 08:09:28 pm

We've loved the pig keeping experience  ;D ;D
Did the Oaklands course (highly recommended) and had 4 last year (GOS Boars) and currently have 3 GOS xOSB gilts who will be off in a couple of weeks.
If you have the housing, fencing and water sorted then I would have to say that keeping pigs is less hassle than keeping chickens  ;D ;D Seriously - they look after themselves and are great characters
Go for it  ;D ;D
Tish ;D ;D