The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: sam on January 27, 2010, 10:55:35 pm

Title: what should i do with my pigs?
Post by: sam on January 27, 2010, 10:55:35 pm

please help me make a decision. I have a tamworth and a kune kune which i have had for past 2 years as 'diggers' for my organic allotment. THey have been fantastic and got rid of couch grass and blackthron. I had a great crop of potatoes last year where they had dug and manured very well!! I now do not know what to do as they have dug the land i needed to be dug.Shoukd i give them away to someone else for digging or keep them which means them staying on the same bit of land for a long while. Is this healthy to do? Trouble is they do cost me feed but i have got attached to them as they are very tame. Please help me decide!! :pig: :pig: ???

Title: Re: what should i do with my pigs?
Post by: doganjo on January 27, 2010, 11:00:13 pm

You have a few options
1. check how much land you 'officially' need for 2 pigs and if you have enough, keep them and absorb the costs as being pets
2. if not, give them away to someone with more land
3. sell them taking a chance that they may get eaten
4. I wouldn't be able to do the fourth one  :-[ - have them killed and eat them yourself.

Title: Re: what should i do with my pigs?
Post by: shetlandpaul on January 28, 2010, 04:52:57 am

the 4th one maybe the kindest in the long run.

Title: Re: what should i do with my pigs?
Post by: Hilarysmum on January 28, 2010, 05:23:38 pm

You have given them a good life, either keep them and feed them (you would have to worm regularly if they are to stay on the same piece of land) or put them in your freezer.  If you are fond of them then that would be the kindest method for them and you.

Title: Re: what should i do with my pigs?
Post by: Sylvia on January 28, 2010, 06:10:12 pm

If you take them to the  butcher you will at least know where they are.

Title: anyone wnat two digging pigs?
Post by: sam on January 29, 2010, 07:50:33 pm

thanks for all the advice. Hubby wants them to go to new home so is there anyone ou there who wants two free pigs as great diggers and fantastic pets in Leicestershire. Ideal for organic style smallholidng/ I will keep them otherwise. :-\ :pig: :pig: