[louise]

ino there areprobally lots of threads on this but im  very new and need help . im looking to get pigs to grow and slaughter. i live in north east scotland, and need to know what breed of pig, how many to be financially viable. what age to buy and slaughter. and all the costs for buying, pigs, food and fencing e.g.c and also how much it would cost to get slaughtered and butchered. + any other tips or knowledge thnks

[Hilarysmum]

Two piglets are probably best.  Go for whatever breed is available locally, at least for the first time.  Two pigs at slaughter weight will yield about 50 kilos of meat each (depending on what size and age you take them to slaughter) thats a lot of pork.  There is an interesting thread about the cost of pig keeping on the pig section.  Use that as a guide to decide how many pigs you can sensibly / financially afford.  Selling meat is another whole minefield, so make sure you have friends, neighbours, family who will be keen to take the meat from you for a contribution towards your costs. 

Final warning:  PIGS ARE VERY ADDICTIVE  :  once hooked very hard to give up.  Enjoy.  HM

[carl]

small scale pig keeping is never a way to make a quick fortune. The start up costs will only diminish when you have had a few. as HM states, make sure you have some firm commitment to help cover the costs. having done a few pigs now I realise it is a good job I am in it for the long haul and really love it. I now have three pig enclosure which are used in rotation to allow them to recover, one quite expensive arc which I move from pen to pen, a leccy fence system, and various troughs which also move about to suit. i have pig marking aperatus and various health and welfare items which are all long term investments. My family and friends get fantastic pork at good prices and i have a freezer full of tasty meat as well ( which has cost little in variable costs but carries some of of the fixed overhead burden).
and yes pigs are addictive. i would have loads more if I could but at the moment just have two weaners.
look at some of the other posts on pigs and maybe read a book or two,as recommended.
best of luck
carl

[louise]

cheerz

[garden cottage]

read all the old pig threads

[sausagesandcash]

How many pigs do you turn out each year Carl?


Morgan

[carl]

last year five. so far this year , three. two more in situ and three more planned for later. so i am slowly building up. will have two pens on the go at a time next year and will build another arc. I may consider breeding, depending on work and family.how about you morgan, you sound like a fellow pig convert.

[sausagesandcash]

In the process of acquiring full complement of breeding stock. Have one male and two females (waiting for the third to be weaned). Going to let the boar service two and A.I. one. We'll see how we go from there! I have about 8 acres of land and want to use it all in the future. Had considered getting a dexter cow, but might put that on hold for a year or two!