The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: mollinga on February 25, 2015, 03:15:23 pm

Title: New Pig Smallholder
Post by: mollinga on February 25, 2015, 03:15:23 pm

Hello everyone!

I'm completely new to this forum and I'm looking for any advice on rearing pigs.

 Currently working full time in Manchester, but looking to start working from home. I'm looking to rear a hand-full of pigs to turn into sausages and to then sell on to family/friends, its just a bit of an experiment and to see where it leads to!  We have some spare land with stables on which will be ideal for me to rear the pigs.

A few Questions..
1) Whats the best pig to use for sausages?
2) how much are they?
3) how often do they feed and what on? ( We have a few acres where they can graze...)
4) Any regulations/paperwork I'll need to get to rear pigs and to then sell them on?
5) How much does it usually cost to rear a pig from start to finish?

If there's anything else you feel i should know please do include it on your comments.

I look forward to hearing from you all.

Thanks,

Marcus  :pig: :pig: :pig:

Title: Re: New Pig Smallholder
Post by: Dan on February 25, 2015, 05:10:17 pm

Hello Marcus, welcome to TAS.


If you're new to keeping pigs this series of articles might be a useful starting point:


http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/livestock/pigs/ (http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/livestock/pigs/)


I'd also recommending doing some more in-depth reading, if you like books here are some recommendations:


http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/books/category/pigs/ (http://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/books/category/pigs/)


Hope this helps, and good luck!


Dan

Title: Re: New Pig Smallholder
Post by: Fowgill Farm on February 25, 2015, 08:44:18 pm

Hi Marcus
Welcome to the mad world of pig keeping, totally addictive, and a great experience if you do it properly.
Everyone on here has there favourite breed so you'll get lots of suggestions.
I am Gloucestershire Old Spot keeper and of course recommend them.
See
http://www.gospbc.co.uk/category/pig-management/ (http://www.gospbc.co.uk/category/pig-management/)
for more information too.
If you can try to visit somebody who keeps pigs in your neck of the woods and a course is always informative and useful, try just up the M6 http://www.pigkeepingcourses.co.uk (http://www.pigkeepingcourses.co.uk)
Lots of info on here as Dan say which is great too.
All the best Mandy :pig:

Title: Re: New Pig Smallholder
Post by: devonlady on February 26, 2015, 08:08:50 am

Kune Kune may be the best to start with, small, friendly, generally easier on your land and very tasty. Weaners are around £30, though I saw some in our local smallholder market go for £5 each :o :o
Cheaper to rear than larger breeds especially if you can get waste fruit and veg . They get a good deal of their food from grass, in spring and summer but need supplementing with pig nuts, soaked rolled barley, fodder beets etc. in colder weather.
In the depths of winter they may also eat hay, haylage or straw.
My best advice would be, although treating them with the best of care stay a little bit detached, they have very winning ways ;)