The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Community => Introduce yourself => Topic started by: HenryVigne on March 16, 2015, 03:23:25 pm

Title: Hello from a new pig person!
Post by: HenryVigne on March 16, 2015, 03:23:25 pm: Hi to you all

Just a quick line to say hello. I've just ordered three Gloucester Old Spot x Duroc x Berkshire wearers and am excitedly awaiting their arrival in about three weeks. We live on about 5 acres in N.E Scotland, just near Elgin. Our land is largely mixed woodland which gets pretty jungly each summer, so this year we have finally taken the plunge (having often talked about it) of getting in some pigs to do their bit and help keep the woods clear.

I'm busy installing a three cable electric fence system to keep them in and divide up the woods into smaller areas. I have a very large old plastic oil tank sitting at home doing nothing, so that is going to have a door cut in it to make an arc. The pigs should be at home. They're coming down from Thurso, so they are right at the top of Scotland, hopefully they will enjoy life in Morayshire! - before the freezer !!

This forum is so good, have found so much useful information.

Cheers for now, Henry.
Title: Re: Hello from a new pig person!
Post by: MarthaR on March 16, 2015, 04:38:13 pm: Hello Henry :wave:

I'm just over 18 months into being a pig person so much still very new to me too. I started with three like you and have had several lots since. Currently two Tamworths about to go off and 6 weeks ago had my first litter of piglets (Glos Old Spots) which has been wonderful and scary in equal measure. I have got lots of help on here from experienced pig people - by reading and asking. And I too have an old oil tank to clean and convert this summer to add to my arc collection!
Have fun - it's a proper adventure.
Martha
:pig: :pig: :pig:
Title: Re: Hello from a new pig person!
Post by: HenryVigne on March 16, 2015, 04:56:42 pm: Thanks for the welcome Martha - I've actually converted my oil tank into a piggy des-res this afternoon. Really easy, I drilled holes at each corner of the door and used an electric jig saw to cut out the door. An old mop, nearly a full bottle of Fairy liquid and lots of water and it's now clean and ready for its new occupants. It still smells of oil a bit, but I guess that will soon be replaced by another smell!!

Good luck with the piglets, I guess they must be ready to wean soon, hope that goes well and isn't too traumatic!
Title: Re: Hello from a new pig person!
Post by: MarthaR on March 16, 2015, 05:39:08 pm: Sounds great! They tend keep their arcs / houses pretty clean and designate a part of their patch to go to the toilet in - unless the house is really big and then they use spare space as en suite! That can be solved by having a whole bale of straw in there to block off some of the space until they grow a bit. Yes I will be weaning mum from little ones in a couple of weeks. Actually they're not so little now - growing like mad and chomping my boots. But great fun.

Let us know how you get on - sounds like they've got a great set up to be part of. :excited:
Martha
Title: Re: Hello from a new pig person!
Post by: fiestyredhead331 on March 16, 2015, 08:08:21 pm: :wave: hello from NW Sutherland

let me guess......Gary Imlach's weaners?

we are 'between' pigs at the moment, but I do like them until they get to a certain size then not so much..lol welcome to the forum and good luck
Title: Re: Hello from a new pig person!
Post by: HenryVigne on March 17, 2015, 05:01:01 pm: Yes, they're coming from Gary! Really looking forward to their arrival.
Title: Re: Hello from a new pig person!
Post by: mowhaugh on March 17, 2015, 05:55:59 pm: Hello!
Title: Re: Hello from a new pig person!
Post by: Caroline1 on March 17, 2015, 07:13:47 pm: Hello I am 1 month into having pigs and really enjoying them. They are clearing my new veg patch and amazed at the speed they root the ground up. Also looking forward to all that lovely home grown meat :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Hello from a new pig person!
Post by: HenryVigne on March 17, 2015, 10:08:02 pm: :wave: This is such a friendly forum, thanks so much for all your welcomes, pig people seem very friendly!
Title: Re: Hello from a new pig person!
Post by: Lesley Silvester on March 18, 2015, 12:59:46 am: :wave: Welcome from Shropshire. :goat: :goat:
Title: Re: Hello from a new pig person!
Post by: DavidandCollette on March 18, 2015, 09:18:10 am: And from North Lincolnshire :sheep:
Title: Re: Hello from a new pig person!
Post by: kelly58 on March 18, 2015, 10:23:53 am: Hi from Caithness, had Mangalitzas, great pigs, great taste too :pig: Enjoy!
Title: Re: Hello from a new pig person!
Post by: devonlady on March 18, 2015, 04:30:08 pm: Hello from Devon :wave: Pigs are great fun (especially when you're searching the neighbourhood for them in the dark ;D)
Title: Re: Hello from a new pig person!
Post by: Rosemary on March 18, 2015, 08:28:55 pm: Hello and welcome from Carnoustie :wave:
Title: Re: Hello from a new pig person!
Post by: oor wullie on March 27, 2015, 06:59:43 am: Hi Henry

I assume it was you I met at the pig seminar in Nairn last night. It is nice to be able to put a face to a name.

I hope you enjoy the pigs.

Tim
Title: Re: Hello from a new pig person!
Post by: HenryVigne on March 27, 2015, 10:48:28 am: Hi Tim

Yes, its me! It was good to meet you and fellow pig enthusiasts! I found the meeting really useful and it answered quite a few questions. Really looking forward to our pigs arriving. I hope your second batch of weaners go well for you!

Cheers for now, Henry.
Title: Re: Hello from a new pig person!
Post by: HenryVigne on March 27, 2015, 10:51:02 am: Hi Tim

Yes, its me! It was good to meet you and fellow pig enthusiasts! I found the meeting really useful and it answered quite a few questions. Really looking forward to our pigs arriving. I hope your second batch of weaners go well for you!

Cheers for now, Henry.
Title: Re: Hello from a new pig person!
Post by: Kimbo on March 27, 2015, 07:32:41 pm: hello from Lancashire Henry,
I know nothing about pigs ( except that I love bacon!) but your plan sounds good.