The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: jippers87 on April 04, 2011, 02:13:14 pm

Title: Hi all. I'm getting piggies!
Post by: jippers87 on April 04, 2011, 02:13:14 pm
Hi everyone!

I am currently filling out my pig herd number form and getting the pig houses ready etc.

We plan on getting two female Tamworth piglets. Saddle backs are also an option. We want to keep the rare bredds going.

Our long term plan is to have fattners for our own table and also to breed.

I would greatly appreciate any advice anyone has to offer.

 :wave:

EDIT By the way, I'm in Galway, Ireland.
Title: Re: Hi all. I'm getting piggies!
Post by: robert waddell on April 04, 2011, 02:30:49 pm
remember to get pedigree stock as a pig without papers is just another pig but then i am biased towards pedigree stock
dont just take the first ones you see ask even if the questions seam daft no use buying them and asking afterwards :wave:
Title: Re: Hi all. I'm getting piggies!
Post by: jippers87 on April 04, 2011, 03:04:21 pm
remember to get pedigree stock as a pig without papers is just another pig but then i am biased towards pedigree stock
dont just take the first ones you see ask even if the questions seam daft no use buying them and asking afterwards :wave:

Thank you! So far I have two sources for pedigree tamworth and saddleback pigs :)
Title: Re: Hi all. I'm getting piggies!
Post by: loosey on April 04, 2011, 03:07:40 pm
Get lots of waterproofs, patience and a camera!  ;D :wave:

How many do you think you will have?
Title: Re: Hi all. I'm getting piggies!
Post by: Eve on April 04, 2011, 04:40:59 pm
Hi Jippers87, and welcome!
We don't know how much information you already have, but if you spend a few hours on this forum you'll learn loads again no doubt.  :)  It could be very useful, if you have not yet done so, to go and see what other pigkeepers are doing as it can be very interesting to see their setup. Beware, though, we tend to be of the chatty kind  ;)
Tamworths, hey? Got good fencing?  ;)


 :wave:
Title: Re: Hi all. I'm getting piggies!
Post by: Beewyched on April 04, 2011, 04:46:53 pm
Hiya & welcome from a fellow pig keeper (KKs) in West Scotland  :wave:

If your ever over here on your way to Glasgow call in  :love: :pig:
Title: Re: Hi all. I'm getting piggies!
Post by: Hilarysmum on April 04, 2011, 05:18:15 pm
Great   news another pig convert.  ;D
Title: Re: Hi all. I'm getting piggies!
Post by: HappyHippy on April 04, 2011, 05:44:44 pm
Hello and welcome to TAS  :wave:
Pigs are great  ;D and I think everyone should keep 'em  ;) But I'd always recommend raising a few to slaughterweight to get a bit of experience before starting breeding. It gives you much more of a chance to get used to handling them and looking after them. Any questions -ask away  :wave:
Karen
Title: Re: Hi all. I'm getting piggies!
Post by: patchy1990 on April 04, 2011, 07:04:49 pm
Hello  :wave:

Pig keeping is great fun, make sure you get some pictures up when they arrive!
Title: Re: Hi all. I'm getting piggies!
Post by: skidley on April 04, 2011, 09:01:50 pm
Welcome from a fellow ginger pig lover!

I think 'sausagesand cash' on here is in ireland and may be able to help you. Don't forget to try the breeders club
http://www.tamworthbreedersclub.co.uk/ (http://www.tamworthbreedersclub.co.uk/) we're working on a new improved website at the moment with a breeders directory.
I started with Tamworths and its true that they are full of character ::) but they don't spend their entire time trying to escape!
Title: Re: Hi all. I'm getting piggies!
Post by: ambriel on April 04, 2011, 09:08:53 pm

Hello from NW Sutherland, and a Kune keeper.

We plan on keeping some Tamworths when we get a bit more land organised - the Kunes are pets and for learning.
Title: Re: Hi all. I'm getting piggies!
Post by: jippers87 on April 05, 2011, 02:46:40 pm
 :wave:

Thank you all for such lovely replies! My partner and I have done a one day pig course so we have an idea of what to expect but I'm sure I will rely greatly on your good selves and the internet!

Our plan is for fattners and also to breed Tammys. My partner has some experience with pigs, it's just me that's a total newbie! We will get two female piglets and the plan is to hopefully breed them and eat the stock we don't keep/sell.

It's pretty exciting! Can't wait to get them! Still a bit of work to be done first but in the meantime I will read. A LOT!

 :pig:
Title: Re: Hi all. I'm getting piggies!
Post by: ambriel on April 05, 2011, 07:17:57 pm
We will get two female piglets and the plan is to hopefully breed them...

Ah! I think I've spotted a small flaw in your plan there... ;)
Title: Re: Hi all. I'm getting piggies!
Post by: jippers87 on April 05, 2011, 08:47:15 pm
We will get two female piglets and the plan is to hopefully breed them...

Ah! I think I've spotted a small flaw in your plan there... ;)

 :o Yeah might be a bit of an issue with that part!!  :D
Title: Re: Hi all. I'm getting piggies!
Post by: Helencus on April 06, 2011, 07:49:17 am
Hi and welcome from Leicestershire. I started with 2 saddleback gilts just over a year ago bought a boar 'bonking Boris' and had our first litters early Jan. Huge learning curve got LOADS of support and advice from the pig folks on here and it's been hard work but so much fun.
Pigs are totally addictive .. Apparently I am told I talk about pigs all the time.. Shocking bore I am oh well  ;D :pig: ;D :pig: