The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: rockstar on February 05, 2012, 06:21:32 pm

Title: i want pigs
Post by: rockstar on February 05, 2012, 06:21:32 pm

i have some land and have holding number and have been offered 2 gos weaners in the spring.does it matter if i have boars or gilts just fattening up for the freezer,also what other papers, tags, movement legal side of it do i need.

Title: Re: i want pigs
Post by: Eve on February 05, 2012, 06:56:05 pm

Have a look around this forum, rockstar, there's plenty of information on here to get started with inc about tagging & paperwork etc.

 :wave:

Title: Re: i want pigs
Post by: Greenerlife on February 05, 2012, 07:01:25 pm

My first lot were supposed to be girls, but when we got them home, we soon realised we had picked up the wrong ones!   ;D. If you are just keeping them for 26 weeks it doesn't really make any difference I believe.  If you are keeping them longer, then the boys tend to get a bit boisterous (I am always glad to see the back of them!) and with their hormones going crazy, the meat can have 'boar taint'.   Enjoy!

Title: Re: i want pigs
Post by: Weaner on February 05, 2012, 07:08:15 pm

Follow the livestock link at the top of the page, it covers most things you will need to know. Good luck, its great fun. 

Title: Re: i want pigs
Post by: cuckoo on February 05, 2012, 07:42:19 pm

Defra do a pig keeper guide - have a look at their website - the bpa do a lot of info sheets too. A good starter book is Andy Case - Starting with Pigs

Title: Re: i want pigs
Post by: oaklandspigs on February 06, 2012, 08:33:13 am

Lots of things you need to think about - it's not complicated, but planning makes it so much better & easier

Things for your list

  •Creating the environment – fencing, water, food, wallows, shade, arks
 • Buying weaners – pedigree or crossbred; buying for meat or breeding
 • Feed – what you can feed, how much and when, artificial feed vs natural
 • Regulations – complying with the rules !
 • When will your pigs be ready–  estimating weight, time of year and impact on pig.
 • Slaughter – planning ahead, transporting, who does what between abattoir & butcher
 • Finding an abattoir, what to ask and what to do when you go there
 • Finding a good butcher – and what they and you need to talk about
 • What you get from a pig – what cuts you get and how much
 • Pig Health – looking after your pigs, and knowing when and when not to call the vet
 
A good book will cover all these, and give you a great start

[advert on]  We do a book which covers all the above, as well as breeding should you move onto that later.  we also do courses.
[advert off]

There are other good books out there, and courses as well.


 

Title: Re: i want pigs
Post by: Fowgill Farm on February 07, 2012, 12:46:13 pm

Do as much research as you can, go on a course, get a good book, visit someone who keeps pigs to get some idea of whats involved (pig keepers are generally a helpful friendly lot). Lots of info for newbies on here if you scroll down topics.
Pig keeping involves a lot of committment on your part particularly in time and feed costs so plan accordingly.
Good luck
HTH
mandy  :pig:

Title: Re: i want pigs
Post by: rockstar on February 07, 2012, 07:49:22 pm

thanks for all the helpful comments, :thumbsup: