The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: Mickyork on February 17, 2010, 12:45:13 am
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I am looking at keeping pigs & am after all the information I can get. What is the best ark or shelter? What bedding? Feed? Any information will be gratefully accepted & all will be taken on board.
Thanks in advance.
Mick......
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Best advice : read through the pig section on here. Maybe also River Cottage (loads of experienced people on there too) buy Starting with Pigs by Andy Case and cant remember the title, but the one by Richard Lutchwych. Both "bibles" on pig keeping.
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hello, where do you live? We might be able to help with the arc, as we are just embarking on building and selling arcs. We use straw in our arc and its kept our Berkshire warm and snug all through the snow.
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Where to start as already suggested get some good books, try to visit someone who keps pigs.
Hopefully the following links will be a help.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pig-Keeping-Lutwyche/dp/1905400861/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1265379847&sr=1-12
http://www.oldspots.org.uk/getting_started.asp
HTh
Good luck
mandy
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Hi I've just started with mine 2 saddleback weaners. I'm lucky enough to have a carpenter hubby so we bought curved metal sheets from the Tinman on eBay got 2 6x 4 sheets for 60 quid then hubby got osb board for 70 quid and made an Arc, if you're handy maybe have a go. We use straw bedding and they love it. I like to make them a nice deep bed and they snuggle in and bury themselves at night to keep warm. One of mine is a bit wary though and has bitten my daughter and I so we are having to take things slowly with her. Other than that things are going well but as others suggest read loads first. I found starting with pigs and traditional pig keeping really useful. I did buy practical pig keeping but that is totally aimed at large commercial operations so didn't help me. Good luck.. And be warned.. Pigs are addictive
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an excellent book which is so simple and straight forward from arks, health, feed etc
the whole lot is in there but not to much that it becomes to much if you know what i mean.
this is the book which we got and i go back to it again and again for help.
(sorry just realised i forgot to mention the name of author and book! tony york:teach your self catergory range, keeping pigs)
langdon :pig:
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Thanks for all the advice. I will look at the books mentioned. The local library are good because if you give them a list of books you would like they will buy them. As for the ark, I will make one myself, I am quite handy & live on a farm so there are a good range of materials around :) I am looking forward to it ;) I was out walking today & come across a house with a couple of pigs in the garden & asked around to see who owned them. I am meeting the guy to have a chat later in the week. I also have a meeting with a local pig farmer to see what tips I can pick up.
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We got our first two pigs at Christmas and so far so good.
I read quite a bit, but have forgotten most of it. We borrowed and arc from our neighbour who inherited it. They are bedded down in straw and it is really nice to see them making their beds. We have electric fencing which our two were used to before they arrived. We learnt quite a bit from the 3 visits to the farm where we bought them. The folk were lovely and very helpful. And some stuff we have had to learn on the job and check out here as we went. For example I wasn't prepared for how much water they would or how they could so easily turn over containers for food and water. So we now have brewing bucket sitting in a tyre for a water trough that is filled morning and evening and we have a wooden feed trough which is nowehere need standard but does the job
:pig: :pig:
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There is a building at the side of the plot with a water supply so will be fitting a tap. Will look at finding something heavy for feed & water. What is it best to feed them on?
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I use the rubber plastering troughs, mine are very, very heavy, made out of recycled tyres. Easy to clean. The pigs still upend and chuck them around the field once they are empty. They do that to every feeder I have tried. For water if you have a supply close by have you considered automatic drinkers?
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There is a shed at the side of my plot with a concrete trough which has constant running water for the cows. I was thinking of doing the same but the water would be fed through a hose which I would set up on a timer so there would be fresh water supplied a couple of times a day. Saving me time for other things. Would have to build 3 though cos I want to move the area the pigs are in so I can plant veg after the pigs have done what they do :) Lot's of idea's just not enough time or money ha ha ha
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very clean and smart looking for a farmer mate!!!!
cant remember the last time i looked like that
hope all goes well for you and your pigs.
any idea what breed you are going to get?
we got three british saddleback easy to handle very good with the kids etc.
good luck again
langdon ;) :pig:
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Hi Mate you don't need to spend a lot of money on an expensive arc, i have had pigs for a few yrs now and they live very happily in my home made arc 6 fence posts with pallets fixed to them gaps filled in on sides but not back and front and sheeting on roof, roof tilted to catch water (which is the law of having animals haha) and loads of straw to curl up in. just make sure its well built cos the pigs will have it pulled down in a jiffy.
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We use an old belson sink for water and, as yet, she hasn't tipped it over. Food we use a cut off bucket, we remove it when she's finished eating and it does the job just fine.
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Oh I scrub up ha ha ha. I don't have a clue what breed as of yet. A friend of mine has a couple of 'large blacks' . Will look at what there is available when I'm ready. I have been collecting pallets & fencing timber since I moved here. Also have a few old doors which are quite heavy. Will be goin to farmer who owns the place with cap in hand cos he's got some old roofing sheets. Got a friend who works on the local tip, or recycling centre as it's known now, so will ask him to keep his eye out for some items which may be of use to me :)
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Large blacks are lovely. Apparently they are going to be the new "popular pig" as HFW will be getting some for his River Cottage programme.
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I better get a move on & get sorted then before he does. Cos the price will probably go up if that's the case ha ha ha. I will be looking at which breed will give me the best return from all my efforts. I am doing it for food & also to make a few bob to be able to buy other things. This site & it's members have been a real help to me & I will be sure to keep you all posted with my progress. Big thanks to all :) :)
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Hi everybody
Im looking to keep a couple of pigs, my quandry is what pigs to start off with. As i am going to use them for own consumption would this make any difference??
I live in the North Essex area and it would be great if i could find people with different breeds so that i could have a look before starting my journey!
Thanks
Darren
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I recommend Gloucester Old Spots (but then I might be biased because that's what I have)
I'm nowhere near Essex, but if you are in Devon anytime then pop in and take a look. :)
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I've got British saddlebacks but then I love black and White animals. Saddlebacks are lovely very nice nature when they get to know you. Took just a few weeks. Meat wise I understand they can be fatty if you overfeed so better crossed I hear.
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Gloucester Old Spots...the finest pig for any first timer...easy to handle, well mannered, friendly, fun, intelligent, good farrowers and mothers and above all fantastic taste and good prices...dead or alive!
Whichever you choose...Good Luck Mick and welcome to your new (and better) life
Farmer, :farmer:
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Darren,
Welcome !
Any of the traditional breeds will do well for you - and all enthusiasts will tell you that their breed is best, gentlest, friendlyest, most fun/best eating etc.etc ;D
For ourselves, Saddlebacks are good, GOS are also a nice pig, as are berkshires. Oxford Sandy and Blacks are very pretty, Middlewhites have character and are smaller, and Kune Kunes smaller still. I will now be attacked for ignoring other breeds, and would not want to put you off them.
Do your research, and if you can see some great !
Good Luck
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Thank you for all the advice, it has all been taken in. Have met a few different pigs now & their owners ::) I've invested in a couple of books & have started making an ark. I took some pictures today of the area that will become the pigs home & will post them soon. I just found out a friend of mine had pigs for around 20 years & he says he's gonna come round & 'check' I'm looking after them right. Will keep you all posted what happens next 8)
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For those who like to be up before cockcrow, (they like to be fed very early) who enjoy lots of exercise and have a keen sense of humour, especially if you want a get fit regime I would recommend tamworths the racehorses of the pig world. For those who are more vertically challenged, go for GOS the snail of the pig world
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Darren G, I'm in Essex and have gloucester old spots, you are more than welcome to visit and have a chat! message me on here.
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For those who like to be up before cockcrow, (they like to be fed very early) who enjoy lots of exercise and have a keen sense of humour, especially if you want a get fit regime I would recommend tamworths the racehorses of the pig world. For those who are more vertically challenged, go for GOS the snail of the pig world
That's interesting - I have 2 tamworth x's and I often have to wake them up at 8.00. Its a bit like waking up a pair of lazy teenagers. I stand outside the ark and shake their breakfast knock on the ark and call them. Eventually they stick their heads out of the straw looking like they've been partying all night and stretch and grunt.. Actually that's not always true. when its a bit warmer they are up before me and their cue to rush up and meet me is when the geese squawk who are the ones who get fed just before them. - much excitement.
Maybe its a cultural thing - my family culture is definitely in favour of lie ins.
Good to hear of your progress Mick - Looking forward to the next installment and photos
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Ooh Tamworths for me every time. They do get slower as they get older but yup, youngster are definately on the speedy side ;D
If you do go for Tams, you've got a good breeder near you - Mr Farrington - look at the past few years results for the Great Yorkshire Show. My girls are two of his that I brought north with me from Yorkshire.
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did i say we got british saddlebacks very freindly and easy to handle when need to.
hope it all goes to plan for you :pig:
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Hi,
All the breeds are lovely, we first had Oxford Sandy & Blacks, then Saddlebacks and now have Gloucester Old Spots and Middle Whites. They are all such individual characters, its really hard to choose which breed to have.
The Saddlebacks were definately the noisiest, and the GOS the most playful. But we love them all
Debbie
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I think a lot is going to depend on what's available & what funds I have when I'm ready. Still so much work to do. It's a fantastic day today & I have not been able to do anything cos had to finish a course I am doing online :(
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If you have different breeds available locally, then suggest you try the meat. Large black is totally different to Lop for instance. I adore tamworth meat, have found Berkshire to be a little less to my taste. So if you try as many breeds as are local to you - you will know you have the best pigs for you. Then you might prefer a cross bred.