The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: Liam_86 on April 01, 2013, 02:36:59 pm

Title: My first pigs
Post by: Liam_86 on April 01, 2013, 02:36:59 pm

I have just bought my first pigs!! 5 Oxford/ Berkshire crosses. They are 6 weeks at the moment and will be arriving in a week.

I just wanted some of the members to share their best tips for rearing pigs.

Thanks in advance

Title: Re: My first pigs
Post by: gavin davies on April 01, 2013, 02:56:40 pm

I am no expert by any means. And there will be more experienced pig keepers along shortly I have only had pigs for 8 weeks but good fencing is really important and somewhere nice and warm for them to sleep if you can try and shut them in the arc or whereever they are sleeping for the first couple of night so they know where the bed is

Title: Re: My first pigs
Post by: Bodger on April 01, 2013, 03:02:56 pm

There's got to be pictures Liam. Good luck with your new arrivals. I think that I may have bought a pig this morning.

Title: Re: My first pigs
Post by: Mammyshaz on April 01, 2013, 04:08:06 pm

Congratulations on your little purchases  :pig:
Agree we need piccies when they arrive  :thumbsup:

Title: Re: My first pigs
Post by: Hassle on April 01, 2013, 05:28:41 pm

make sure you are ready for them and that starts with a cph and herd number

Title: Re: My first pigs
Post by: Liam_86 on April 02, 2013, 11:06:09 am

Im all sorted on the paper work side.

They arrive on satrurday so ill take some pics to share with you.

Gavin - thanks for the tip about keeping them in the first couple of nights, makes sense

All help is apprieciated guys so thanks

Title: Re: My first pigs
Post by: nelson on April 02, 2013, 04:19:10 pm

Hi Liam - looking forward to seeing the pics of the Oxfords x Berkshires - as we have just put one of our OSB gilts with our Berkshire boar.


Good luck and enjoy the piggies :)

Title: Re: My first pigs
Post by: john and helen on April 02, 2013, 07:30:25 pm

Hi Liam..was the paperwork easy enough ? and well done on the new arrivals, ile be watching your postings with interest

john

Title: Re: My first pigs
Post by: Azzdodd on April 03, 2013, 08:24:34 am

1 word fencing! I wasn't prefered for my first 5 and they ran me ragged ate everything in site! I now use stock fencing with electric in till there about 5 months then I just use electric as they are to big to miss it lol then move them as they eat through. And a good hut

Title: Re: My first pigs
Post by: Liam_86 on April 03, 2013, 09:16:37 am

John - to be honest i found it all very confusing. I think it was made worse that i dont own my have my own land, i rent half an acre from the farmer next door.

I think what i should have done is used his herd number for my first year but hey ho.

I rang the rural payments agency and they were really helpfull in guiding me.

Azzdodd - I dont have any electric fencing but i think the fence is strong enough, its buried 99% of the way along.

there were pigs kept on the land last year but it seems to have recovered pretty well, does this make any difference to the pigs health and are there any extra precautions i should take?

Thanks

Title: Re: My first pigs
Post by: Hassle on April 03, 2013, 10:28:18 am

You were right to get your own herd number.... It's registered to you not the land.

And re using land is ok as long as not intensive, as you can possibly get a worm build up, you can do a soil analysis If your you are worried.  If you keep breeders though you'd deffo protect with an injection

Title: Re: My first pigs
Post by: Liam_86 on April 03, 2013, 10:42:30 am

will having my own herd number confuse things when taking them to slaughter? id heard tales that they have to match with the movement license etc. Id planned on the farmer who owns the land taking them for me?

Title: Re: My first pigs
Post by: Hassle on April 03, 2013, 08:43:09 pm

nope he can take them for you .... he will just be your haulier .. so will need to put him in that box so you'll need his vehicle registration at some time

Title: Re: My first pigs
Post by: Liam_86 on April 08, 2013, 01:42:28 pm

Pictures as promised

Title: Re: My first pigs
Post by: gavin davies on April 08, 2013, 03:27:47 pm

they look great mate hope you have as much fun as i am with mine

Title: Re: My first pigs
Post by: john and helen on April 08, 2013, 08:19:31 pm

 :thumbsup: way to go Liam..they look superb,, :excited: well done mate, really looking forward to the updates..good or bad.. its how we all learn... really pleased for you  :thumbsup:

john