51

Pigs / Re: Considering first pigs

« Last post by SallyintNorth on November 19, 2025, 10:11:35 am »

After a little bit of research I think Tamworth and KK are my top 2.

It's a personal thing so no criticism at all, but... I am fascinated by your shortlist, cos those two are at opposite ends of the spectrum to me!  KK cute, Tammy very ancient wild looking; KK very small, Tamworth large; KK less inclined to rootle than some, Tammy basically bulldozers on legs; Tammies famously escape artists, KK often chosen as pets.

52

Pigs / Re: Considering first pigs

« Last post by SallyintNorth on November 19, 2025, 10:08:28 am »

A slightly random question...I have an unlimited supply of spruce wood chips from my trees ... Would pigs be happy to nest in wood chips in an ark rather than straw ?

I really don't think so.  Straw is insulating, wood a lot less so.  They make amazing nests in straw, including a draft-excluding wall if one is needed.

You could make a good entrance raft in front of the ark with the wood chips, though. 

53

Pigs / Re: Considering first pigs

« Last post by Lambic on November 19, 2025, 02:42:25 am »

Hello All

Thanks for the information.

After a little bit of research I think Tamworth and KK are my top 2.

A slightly random question...I have an unlimited supply of spruce wood chips from my trees ... Would pigs be happy to nest in wood chips in an ark rather than straw ?

Thanks

James

54

Pigs / Butcher

« Last post by Jaymac76 on November 18, 2025, 10:20:14 am »

I have a couple of Tamworth pigs that will be ready for slaughter early next year, recommendations for a good butcher in West Lothian or surrounding areas will be appreciated.

55

Pigs / Re: Considering first pigs

« Last post by SallyintNorth on November 17, 2025, 01:21:49 pm »

OSBs were my favourite to have.  Saddleback x OSB was better carcase/conformation at 6 months than the pure OSB, but the meat from the Large Blacks and Cornish Blacks (a local version of the Large Black) was the best tasting of the 3 by a mile.  They grow more slowly but can make good use of forage / legal scraps, so overall didn't cost more per kilo than any other breed to produce.  (You can grow them faster but you mostly just get more fat, not meat, so personally I'd go for them if time isn't an issue and you have sources of non-bagged feed you can use for them.  I didn't find them as cute/appealing to look after as OSB and OSBx, but the meat was so good it compensated!) 

56

Pigs / Re: Considering first pigs

« Last post by Rosemary on November 17, 2025, 07:41:05 am »

We kept a number of breeds over the years - weaners to finishin, never breeding - Tamworth, OSB, Hampshire and Kunekune and OSB /Lare Black crosses.
The OSB were our favourites, but the KKs were great little pigs too. Lovely pork and don't eat much bagged feed. Take longer to finish though.

57

Pigs / Re: Considering first pigs

« Last post by SallyintNorth on November 16, 2025, 08:35:03 pm »

As with most species, we probably all recommend our favourites.

What are your circumstances, plans and objectives?  If it's meat for yourself, then carcase quality will be less of an issue so you'd probably go for a super-tasty breed that's fun to keep, eg., GOS, OSB, Berkshire.  If you want to sell to butchers, back fat will need to be under 20mm, so you'd probably do better with something like uncastrated male Lops.

What you can readily source locally may well dictate your choices. 

58

Land Management / Re: Strange field drains

« Last post by Lambic on November 16, 2025, 02:23:36 pm »

Can you / they see the downstream drain discharge into the ditch. ?

Could they are backing ?

59

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

60

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.