The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Community => Introduce yourself => Topic started by: banbh on January 06, 2010, 02:00:19 am

Title: hello
Post by: banbh on January 06, 2010, 02:00:19 am

Hello,

I have looked at the site and it seems very good. I have ordered a couple of books on pigs and hope to raise and kill a couple of weaners next year.
I have about a quarter acre of ground (half old veg garden and half wooded). Before I buy the weaners I intend to get a sty of bales built,
a permanent water supply and some stock and electric fencing. I live in Cois Fharraige, about 10 miles west of Galway City in Ireland.

All advice appreciated.

Title: Re: hello
Post by: sandy on January 06, 2010, 07:41:54 am

Hello from Clackmannan....that bit of ground sounds nice for piggies :pig: I only have Chickens a DUck and a Drake..no room for pigs, well my neighbours would tell me off if I did....Welcome

Title: Re: hello
Post by: Hilarysmum on January 06, 2010, 08:29:09 am

Hi from an expat pig fanatic.  If you can read all the postings in the pig section, and if possible get hold of a copy of Starting with Pigs by Andy Case.  Do you have a particular breed of pig in mind?

Title: Re: hello
Post by: JulieS on January 06, 2010, 08:53:53 am

Hello and welcome from Devon.

Pigs are fantastic.  The Andy Case book is definitely a good book to start with.

Title: Re: hello
Post by: Rosemary on January 06, 2010, 10:53:06 am

Hello and welcome from brilliantly sunny Alloa (still icy but being positve!)

Title: Re: hello
Post by: HappyHippy on January 06, 2010, 11:10:01 am

Hello from me too  ;D
I'd also recommend the Andy Case book - look forward to hearing how you get on.

Title: Re: hello
Post by: banbh on January 06, 2010, 02:04:45 pm

Sandy, thanks. Hope my neighbours will be ok. Pigs were kept generally around here up until the 70s and my nearest neighbour had one up to 5 years ago but got rid of him because he wouldn't put on weight. Some kind of determined slimmer!

Hilarysmum - Hi, I have ordered that book, about €12 on Amazon, very reasonable. I'm not sure what breed or cross I'd prefer. I've read that Tamworths are descended from Irish Grazers and that appealed. The English seem to have done a lot better than the Irish in protecting their native distinct breeds.
However maybe something a bit more docile for the first year. Also we get a lot of rainfall (usually!) here and I want to avoid a 'battle of the Somme' scene!!
But I may not have much of a choice if I want to buy reasonably local.

Thanks to all the welcomers and the kind comments. Blue skies and icy fields for the last 2 weeks here. No snow to speak of.

Title: Re: hello
Post by: Hilarysmum on January 07, 2010, 06:36:18 am

Try advertising for pigs wanted on this site, bound to be someone within reasonable distance.

Title: Re: hello
Post by: banbh on January 07, 2010, 07:48:45 pm

Thanks Hilarysmum,

I have done just that!

Title: Re: hello
Post by: little blue on January 07, 2010, 08:07:49 pm

Hello and welcome from Derbyshire