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Pigs / Re: Considering first pigs

« Last post by Lambic on November 16, 2025, 01:46:50 pm »

Thank you Sally.  I shall have a good read.

In terms of meat quality, which is the most significant quality for me, which breeds are recommended for beginners growing on ?

Cheers

12

Pigs / Re: Considering first pigs

« Last post by SallyintNorth on November 16, 2025, 01:42:12 pm »

I'm not in Scotland so I won't offer more than suggesting you have a look at the guides and articles here on TAS.  "Starting with Pigs" talks about the regs in Scotland, and in England & Wales.

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Pigs / Considering first pigs

« Last post by Lambic on November 16, 2025, 11:58:00 am »

Hello

Hoping for some advice as I am total beginner to keeping pigs.

When I finally stop working, I hope to have an initial trial of keeping a few pigs.  Given up on the goat idea   If that works out, then possibly expanding a little.  All for personal consumption for the foreseeable future.

I am a registered smallholding of about 30 acres, so I should find a suitable spot.

Obviously there are so many questions, but I guess the first one is what kind of regulations would I have to comply with here in Scotland ?

I intend a do a great deal of research on species, pens etc, but the dealing with the authorities is a different matter....

Many thanks

14

Poultry & Waterfowl / Re: free range

« Last post by Bywaters on November 11, 2025, 03:55:53 pm »

I just did a google search and it came up

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Sheep / Re: just need to hear from Fb AS "family"

« Last post by Penninehillbilly on November 11, 2025, 02:23:30 pm »

So sorry Messyhoose, hard on you, but at least he wasn't alone out in the field.
Hope you find something to hug, or try and immerse yourself in a hobby.
If he hasn't gone, could you shear him and do something with the fleece, keep you busy and as a memory?

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Poultry & Waterfowl / Re: free range

« Last post by eryl on November 11, 2025, 01:32:53 pm »

Thank you for this Bywaters - yes it does help. Have you a tag where i can find this written 'officially'?

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Poultry & Waterfowl / Re: free range

« Last post by Bywaters on November 11, 2025, 12:16:25 pm »

a quick google reveals this "AI Overview     Laws for free-range eggs in the UK originate from retained EU legislation, and include requirements for daytime outdoor access with vegetation, a minimum area per hen (\(4m^{2}\) per hen or \(1Ha\) per 2,500 hens), and specific indoor conditions for hens, such as perch and nest space. The current rules also allow for a 16-week derogation period during which eggs can still be labelled free-range if hens are temporarily housed due to disease outbreaks like avian flu. External range requirements Daytime access: Hens must have continuous daytime access to outdoor runs.Vegetation: The outdoor area must be mainly covered in vegetation.Space: A minimum of 1 hectare per 2,500 hens (about \(4m^{2}\) per hen) is required.Distance: The range area must not be more than 150m from the nearest pop-hole unless shelters are provided, which allows the range to extend to 350m.Access: Fencing or other restrictions must not prevent hens from accessing the range. "

hope that helps.

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Poultry & Waterfowl / Re: free range

« Last post by Bywaters on November 11, 2025, 12:12:51 pm »

do you mean in normal times or during Flockdown ?

My understanding (fwitw) is that free range is "trades description" rather than it being covered by law (other than the Trades Description Act)

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Pigs / Re: Pig nuts

« Last post by eryl on November 11, 2025, 08:50:58 am »

You can save quite a bit of money by feeding them Calf rearer nuts- much cheaper. Don't feed them the starter - too high in protein. These are fine for fattening or for dry sows but you need the proper sow nuts for the last 2 weeks of pregnancy and while they are suckling.

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Poultry & Waterfowl / free range

« Last post by eryl on November 11, 2025, 08:45:19 am »

Ok, can anyone tell me what the rules governing free range are please? I assume they are the same for egg and meat production. I have scoured the DEFRA website and all i can find is flannel. I dont want GUIDELINES or RECOMMENDATIONS -i want LAWS!