The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: spoon on February 05, 2010, 05:13:07 pm
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hi all just joined today i would like some advice just got my cph and want to get some pigs i was told when you buy them at six weeks old you keep them for two months and then they go to slaughter is this true , also whats the best breed to keep ie fast growing , any other advice woul be appreaciated
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Don't think that's right - there is a big pig section here so have a browse. I was under the impression that you get them as weaners at 8 weeks and grow on to about 10 months not 4! seems a it ruthless and not a lot of growth in 2 months! But I'm no expert and could well be wrong.
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Spoon, Hello and welcome.
You will get piglets (weaners) at 6-8 weeks old.
The non-commercial breeds (those not kept indoors in 2000+ units) you will keep through to 6-8 months old for joints, 8-10 months for ham (need a larger pig for ham)
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Hello and welcome. Get your habds on some good smallholding / pig keeping books and magazines.... and dont believe everything you hear!
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Sounds to me like someone is confused with rare breed, free range pigs and the poor little b%ggers that are bred for keeping in colditz from weaning at 3 weeks till killed off at 18 weeks.
Browse the pig keeping section here and try Andy Case Starting with Pigs and any other book written for people who want to keep proper pigs the right way. (Your local library should help) there are some good recommendations on another topic/
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And you could buy our book :)