The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: banbh on May 05, 2010, 08:17:41 pm

Title: some observations from a newbie
Post by: banbh on May 05, 2010, 08:17:41 pm
I've had my bonhams/weaners for 2 months now and here's what I've learned.

1. This is a great site. I've read every post on this and the river cottage site, and there's very little
not covered.

2. They're easier to keep than dogs. Feed 'em twice a day but you'll enjoy messing with them.

3. You can pick up their cac muc with a beach spade and throw it on hedges or whatever.

4. If you have a 3' high dry stone wall you don't need an electric fence.

5. One injection usually sorts them out.

6. Invest in an automatic water tank with cistern. You can run it off a hosepipe. Clean it
out every other day cos muddy snouts are dipped in it.


7.Your neighbours will be fine. No noise or smell really. And promise them sausages.
Title: Re: some observations from a newbie
Post by: Declan on May 05, 2010, 08:43:11 pm
if thats your experience then I think you've talked me into it. Having done all the reading but not taken the plunge i think i just might.

Declan
Title: Re: some observations from a newbie
Post by: banbh on May 05, 2010, 11:19:52 pm
Good luck Declan. Get in touch any time you feel like it.
Title: Re: some observations from a newbie
Post by: JulieS on May 06, 2010, 06:13:21 am
So pleased to hear you're enjoying pig keeping so much.  Me too....I love them.   :love: :pig: :love:

Title: Re: some observations from a newbie
Post by: Rosemary on May 06, 2010, 07:39:32 am
Brilliant!
Title: Re: some observations from a newbie
Post by: oaklandspigs on May 06, 2010, 09:09:18 am
Really pleased to hear that you have found it great fun.

On your

6. Invest in an automatic water tank with cistern. You can run it off a hosepipe. Clean it
out every other day cos muddy snouts are dipped in it.

If you run off a hosepipe and use the "hoselock" connectors, these can blow off with the water pressure after a while (sometimes days).  If you turn the tap on so that it is just drippiing, this will provide enough drinking water, but if it does blow it won't create a swimming pool costing a fortune in wasted water when you find it 6 hours later. A drip will provide plenty of top up for the trough.
Title: Re: some observations from a newbie
Post by: kalsi4654 on May 06, 2010, 09:23:40 am
Having left my hose running ALL NIGHT last night I can sympathise... the piggies are quite impressed with their new swimming pool. I suspect I won't feel the same about the water bill...
 :'(
Title: Re: some observations from a newbie
Post by: Hilarysmum on May 06, 2010, 12:43:34 pm
banh sounds like your addicted too ............  :pig: