The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: gingercloverbramble on June 07, 2011, 12:35:05 pm

Title: Lone Pig?!?
Post by: gingercloverbramble on June 07, 2011, 12:35:05 pm
Just wondering if anyone has had any experience of keeping a pig on it's own?
We have two pigs we are currently trying to rehome.
A large black x duroc 3 year old gilt and a large black sow whose age we are not sure about.
The farm we got her from have not given us much information on her backgroud even after much enquiring!!
The problem we have is that quite a few people have been interested in the gilt as she is a bonny specimen and perfect for breeding.
No-one is particularly interested in the sow however and there have even been sausage suggestions!!
My husband isn't too happy about this as he feels he has made a lot of progress with her.
She was a very grumpy pig when we she arrived here 3 years ago but now is friendly and likes a cuddle!!
It would have been lovely to have let her live had piglets etc but lack of time and feed costs have made us decide to try to rehome the last two pigs.
Has anyone else kept an older pig on her own to let her see her days out?
I know that they are usually kept with others.
It's maybe worth mentioning that we also have a couple of sheep and goat and hens wandering around too!!
Many thanks for any comments.
Title: Re: Lone Pig?!?
Post by: robert waddell on June 07, 2011, 01:13:38 pm
i am surprised anybody is wanting your pig as she has not had any pigglets unless they are saying they are going to breed her and just sausage her     just my view :pig:
Title: Re: Lone Pig?!?
Post by: HappyHippy on June 07, 2011, 02:00:41 pm
I have to agree with Robert here. If your gilt is 3 and has never bred before it's quite unlikely (not impossible, but unlikely) that she'll get 'in-pig'. Fertility decreases with age in a kind of 'use it or lose it' way  :-\ Similarly for the sow not to have been bred from in the last 3 years would make it questionable if she'll ever breed again. Sorry, I know that's not what you wanted to hear  :-[
As for keeping a single sow - it's not fair on her, especially as she gets older she may deteriorate rapidly without company (and goats, sheep and hens aren't the same as a piggy pal) If lack of time is a reason for getting rid of the two of them, surely you'll be just as tied with one ? I think in the long run it may be kinder to both of them for you to take them to slaughter. They've had a good life and deserve a good end to it, rather than being sold, transported and then ending up slaughtered anyway.
I do hope you get someone who will give them both a 'forever home' but with the price of pig food ever rising, it's getting harder to find 'pet' homes for older pigs. Good luck though and please don't think I'm trying to be negative, just realistic
Karen  :-*
Title: Re: Lone Pig?!?
Post by: Hilarysmum on June 08, 2011, 10:42:57 am
If you are considering keeping the older sow, why not keep them both, they will keep each other company and give you years of pleasure.  It would (Imho) be cruel to keep one on its own especially as they are used to company.  If the older sow is anything like Hilary who can be a touch irritable when upset, I dont think I would be happy to move her on as although she is good with you, another change might upset her badly.  If you cant keep both perhaps it would be kinder to bit the bullet and send them for sausages.  Sorry :(