[Beewyched]

Anyone else going tomorrow?

[HappyHippy]

Yup ! I'll be there 
The cataloge isn't up yet, but there are usually pigs too 

[Fleecewife]

Yes we are hoping to go in case there are some cream legbars or welsummers.

[Beewyched]

Yup ! I'll be there 
The cataloge isn't up yet, but there are usually pigs too 

You'll be sooo glad to see there are MICRO PIGS there Karen 

[HappyHippy]

Ha Ha - that should be interesting ! 
Especially as they're from people who have Kune Kune's also, wonder who'll  be bigger 
I'll have to take my camera to capture these mythical beasts on film 

[Beewyched]

Oh well Karen - proof in the flesh now Kune Kunes are SMALLER than micro pigs (& much better natures & very much prettier  - even someone elses  )

[HappyHippy]

As you could probably tell, I wasn't in the slightest way enamoured with those micro's 
And what a pong from them  I've never smelt that from any of my pigs - not even breeding boars 
It was mildly amusing, but concerning at the same time, to see them at 4 months, uncastrated, trying to hump everything in sight  It's bad enough when a dog tries that, but can you imagine a fully grown one of them doing that to your leg, your dog or your granny 
I was truelly saddend by the state of the wee KK's though - the 'apparent' (got to say that so I don't get sued ) worm burden and mange that they had was unbelieveable (and I'm so glad the AHO agreed ) the vendor wouldn't accept whatever the bid was (around £40 I think) as it wasn't enough, yet they can't spend the £15 to worm them and clear it up - disgracefull 
You missed a fabulous Saddleback, pedigree, registered, in pig to another ped, reg saddleback - due 8th May, she sold for £120 ! We thought about it, but not having the trailer and with our hands quite full enough with what we've already got, decided not to bid. I spoke to the lady who had her for a wee while - really heartbreaking  She was giving up keeping pigs and had all her stock at the sale, had me in tears 
But a good sale and a good turnout I thought.
How are the chickens settling in ?

[Beewyched]

I just knew ... as soon as we saw them 
That smell - well  could it be what ever they were being fed?  I've certainly never smelt anything like it, didn't even smell like pigs 
Wonder what breeds they'd crossed to try & get them small?  It obviously hadn't worked  & I've never seen 4-month old piglets so rampant 
I don't understand how someone can take ANY animal to a sale with "apparent" parasite problems that were as obvious as those  - small wonder the bidding was so low, but what will happen to them now?  I do hope that the vendor follows the AHO's instructions - for the sake of the little beasties 
Would have liked to have seen the Saddleback - someone's got a bargain.  Though I'm quite happy to keep to my wee Kunes - small & beautifully formed (& tastey  ) Sad for the lady though having to sell-up - can't imagine my life without mine 
The new chickens are settled into one of the byres for now, with plenty of straw to scratch around in - under isolation for 2-weeks.  The cockeral has been named Eric (OH's brother's idea  ) & has already started a crowing competition with Ziggy - they'd better not start at dawn - it's been bad enough with Rupert pining through Summer's season - we're still not sleeping through the night - oh how we love our animals 

[robert waddell]

the bids were £5 for the micros not sold £40 for the kunes not sold   i had been informed on the day that he was expecting hundreds it was a quick reality check for the owner        i still think the stink was either there housing/bedding or fedding           having seen his set up (passing by)i would suspect his managery is only to get a house erected i will make further inquires into this
and what a loss for the saddelbacks the lady paid £250-£350 for the pigs at 8 wks old   times are hard   and unpedictable

[Beewyched]

Sounds to me like someone's struggling 

Yep, £120 - £150 is a realistic price for a single HEALTHY, REGISTERED Kune weaner ... privately sold.  I AM NOT ADVOCATING FOR PIGS TO BE KEPT AS "ONLY PIGS" HERE !!!

BUT ... very few people will take on pigs with "apparent" health issues, or uncastrated boars - unless they are Registered & of excellent confirmation.  Plus there is the cost of castrating Kunes - because of their unique anatomy "down there" (sure HH will provide better detail  )

& we all know that we're unlikely to get "top whack" at a stock auction for any animal.

More folks are aware of the "micro pig" thing & avoid them like the plague - hence the difference in the bidding for weaners of similar age, size etc - even though the "micro pigs" showed no "apparent" parasitical problems.

I do think it's a shame though for the welfare & reputation of small pig breeds/cross breeds of all kinds - today there are "micro pigs" being advertised for £200 - £400 & at the same other ads with "free to good home".      

 

[pink]

I also saw the pigs at lanark! I was shocked by most of them Especially the saddleback's. I am the breeder of the sow's and was very upset by the state of them. The lady had put them in pig at about 7 months which personally is too young, the pigs where in bad condition and had been scouring obviously for quite a while as there tail/back ends where covered in a lot if dried poo!
I would have bought them myself but they had been bred from too young and god knows what else they had.
And the kune kunes and micro's - don't get me started......!