The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: r+lchick on December 14, 2009, 09:17:53 am

Title: pigs v lambs
Post by: r+lchick on December 14, 2009, 09:17:53 am
If I want some meat for the table, what is easier to keep with regards consumption of time and being able to leave them to get themselves in in the evening - weaners or lambs?  I am thinking that pigs may be less time consuming.  You feed them in the morning, make sure that they have water and if you like you could have a day out and come back late evening.  Check to see if they are OK and that is it.  If it is lambs, you would have to give them a bottle and put them in at night.  Have I got this right or am I talking out of my you know whatsit?
Will post this on the sheep site as well.  Ros  :cat: :chook:
Title: Re: pigs v lambs
Post by: Hilarysmum on December 14, 2009, 05:30:35 pm
Personally pigs every time, although again personally would tend to feed twice a day.  That way you can be sure they will be back from wherever they have been all day when you get home.
Title: Re: pigs v lambs
Post by: chickenfeed on December 14, 2009, 06:54:19 pm
 :pig: as with all livestock so long as you are prepared to put the work in you will get a quality end produce, but as a first step i would keep pigs but feed twice a day.
Title: Re: pigs v lambs
Post by: Sylvia on December 14, 2009, 07:32:07 pm
If you buy weaned lambs (more expensive but will fatten on grass) you will only need to check them once a day but pigs will need feeding at least twice a day. They will need water containers constantly topped up where lambs drink very little. Lambs will not burrow a way out as long as you have decent fences/ hedges and will not root up your land to the point where you have to get it ploughed and re-seeded!!
Having said that, I like pork more than lamb and you get more meat per animal!