The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: ppd on June 16, 2012, 05:07:13 pm
-
Hi all :wave:
Having just been over to a local croft, where the owner is giving up keeping and breeding pigs, to buy a couple of arks, he has offered me his last remaining pig. She is a 6 year old Tamworth. He has offered her for free as just wants a good last home for her. I have two 4 month old saddlebacks (boars) for the freezer at home, so she won't be sharing with them! I don't want her to be on her own as she is at the moment, so my question is what to get to keep her company. I thought I would try and get another couple of weaners before the boys go and if I do and if they are gilts would they be ok to put in with a mature sow ( she is very placid)
Oh and while we were looking at her she grunted and chatted the whole time - and I mean all the time! I wonder if she is just missing company or are Tamworths just more vocal?
Thanks
-
Tamworths are more vocal than saddlebacks - tabatha our gilt never stops talking whilst we're around !
You should have no problems in mixing pigs of different ages, the small ones will defer to the Tamworth, and she'll see them as no threat. Just introduce in a large area (room to run away) with more than one sleeping area - they don't tend to have mixed that well enough on first night to share a bed! Otherwise with that much difference in size 9sow vs. wenaers), I wouldn't worry about either neutral ground or neutralising smell - some introduce in an area that belongs to neither and use all sorts of things from channel no. 5 to wet dung to make all the pigs smell the same -but this more applies to older sows mixing, so in your case I wouldn't worry or bother.
The little ones will nip in and out of her feet to feed, and would fully expect them all to be sleeping together by night 2 or 3.
-
Ditto Oaklands advice, but I would give them all a squirt with something smelly too, just to speed up the acceptance process. It might not make any difference - but what's a little squirt between friends ;) :D
Our Tamworth is very vocal too ;D I think the fact they can see you makes them more inclined to try and get your attention. But then again, all my pigs are quite chatty - you just get to be like the folk you live with eh ?! :innocent:
Good luck with your girl :thumbsup: and keep us all posted ;)
Karen :wave:
-
we have a variety of ages out together, tricky bit is feeding accordingly as some pigs need different rations. so we have an adjoining paddock where we can separate at feeding time if required.
are u gona breed with her?
mine are noisy especially if they think its dinnertime.
8)
-
Thanks for the info! I thought mixing different ages would probably be ok and this sounds like a plan! Just need to start looking out for weaners now. It can be so difficult this far north, but may need to travel for them. When I brought the last two home they slept all the way so I presume that a drive of a few hours is ok for weaners?
Also thanks for letting me know how chatty tamworths are - I was a bit worried today that she was just craving company and a bit mad! ;D I have to say that she is not the 'bonniest' pig (facially) but maybe I am not used to the breed and my saddlebacks are cuties! But she is lovely and I will hope to breed from her, but will give her a break and hopefully have a litter next spring. Will give us time to get to know each other and let me gain more experience. Also will then be raising piglets over summer, or selling weaners in spring, rather than winter
-
what breed weaners are u looking for?
we have a litter of b/n tamworths ready in 2 weeks. wer near peterhead.
wev have driven 200 miles before and they slept the whole way!
-
in all honesty at six years old i would not take her on she may well have a litter or two left in her yet but not as productive as a young gilt and could be a drain on your resources
all pigs are vocal just some more than others and have there own peculiarity's quite often a change in there lifestyle produces a change in there temperament/behaviour :farmer:
-
Sorry I haven't disappeared - just a hectic few days, then no broadband. I know she may not produce many more litters, but she can become a companion to any other pigs I keep. Now I know she may cost more to keep than she makes me but I keep horses so well used to my resources being drained away :) Now just need to get my arks set up - so exciting (hubby hasn't realised yet that these arks are huge and could take a lot of piggies ;D )