The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Community => Introduce yourself => Topic started by: TG on October 15, 2009, 01:57:17 pm

Title: Introduction
Post by: TG on October 15, 2009, 01:57:17 pm

This is my first post on this board although I have been reading and picking up much advice from other posts over the last six months.


We have a couple of acres of garden in North Staffordshire and started with a few chickens (now around 20) however  I had always wanted to have a go at raising pigs so back in May we bought two male OSB weeners. These went into the freezer at the end of August. Maybe I was lucky but they were very easy to look after, good fun to raise and they taste great so and I am now looking forward to the next ones.

We don't have a huge amount of space ( we have an area of trees about 90 sq meters for the pigs). What I was hoping to try next was perhaps get three gilts, keep one for breeding in the future and take the other two to market at about 6-7 months and replace with another couple of weeners. I don't want to take single pigs to market nor leave the reamining one on its own. The question is can anyone advise if I am likely to have any problems introducing the weeners to the older female ?

Title: Re: Introduction
Post by: TG on October 15, 2009, 02:09:12 pm

oops - that should read 900 sq meters

Title: Re: Introduction
Post by: sandy on October 15, 2009, 10:23:12 pm

Hello and welcome, we only have chickens and Ducks but my mouth is watering all ready at the thought of that Pork!!!!! I also love pigs, off to see my daughters pig tomorrow!!!!! Enjoy the advice, help and chat!!!

Title: Re: Introduction
Post by: Hilarysmum on October 16, 2009, 09:22:13 am

In my experience introducing anything new to an established group will result in some fighting.  To avoid serious damage if you can introduce them slowly, i.e. with a fence between then open the fence after a couple of weeks that would be better.  If not it is better to put the incomer into a new field then introduce the established group. 


 

Title: Re: Introduction
Post by: dixie on October 16, 2009, 11:18:17 am

Many sows will accept younger pigs but not always, I have stock fencing between my pens which helps to know who likes who! If you were to introduce a couple of little weaners I would guess they would be ok, particlularly if you are keeping a weaner to breed from she would still be young herself,  of course expect a pecking order to establish, but they do like company and would soon settle.
Sorry forgot to hello and welcome! how rude of me!

Title: Re: Introduction
Post by: HappyHippy on October 16, 2009, 05:52:44 pm

Hello & welcome to the forum  ;D
I can't really offer much advice as I've only had weaners for meat, they all come and go at the same time so I've not had the problem of introducing new stock, sorry.

Title: Re: Introduction
Post by: MiriMaran on October 18, 2009, 08:37:55 pm

Can't answer your question, but welcome to the forum!

Title: Re: Introduction
Post by: Rosemary on October 19, 2009, 02:31:37 pm

Hi and welcome!

Title: Re: Introduction
Post by: TG on October 21, 2009, 12:53:21 pm

thanks to all for responses.

I will bear the advice in mind. I need to get moving with this.... can't contemplate running out of pork and having to buy some from Tesco ! Raising in small numbers and feeding organically is not the cheapest option but that was not why we do it and the result is worth it. 

Thanks again.

Title: Re: Introduction
Post by: little blue on October 22, 2009, 07:59:21 pm

Hello and welcome from Derbyshire (not too far away!)

Title: Re: Introduction
Post by: Fluffywelshsheep on October 22, 2009, 08:48:33 pm

hiya :)

Title: Re: Introduction
Post by: CameronS on October 22, 2009, 10:02:15 pm

Hi, welcome from fife

Title: Re: Introduction
Post by: Snoopy on October 23, 2009, 09:51:17 am

Hello and welcome from the West of Ireland

Julie ;D