[MChez]

Hello
we have just been offered our own patch to land to rear some pigs on (super excited)!    but we have a few question and were hoping you could help!
 
1) our nearest abattoir is 38 miles away am i still allowed to transport them myself?
2) what is better for meat males or females?
3) how much time do pigs realistically need per day?

Thanks in advance! 

[Bionic]

Our nearest Abattoir is almost an hours journey away and we transport them ourselves with no problem. So 38 miles should be fine.

I don't know that either sex is better for meat but many first timers are warned against getting females because of the inclination to change your plans and keep them for breeding. With boars some people talk about boar taint whilst others say it doesn't even exist.

Time? well that's really up to you. If you just want to feed and water them twice a day then its probably 15 mins per time but its much nicer to spend more time with them. The pigs become friendly and easier to handle. Our last 2 were females and they loved attention. A good scrub with a floor brush was their favourite.

If its a hot sunny summer then they might want some sun cream put on too. Being friendly definitely makes that job easier.

[pharnorth]

Transporting the pigs yourself is pretty straightforward. There is quite a lot to get right the first time, the livestock trailer, the pig movement documentation, slap marks for example.  I found it helpful to do a dry run to the abattoir so I knew exactly where to go on the day.  I have had females and males and find the latter can be a bit more boisterous as they mature, but breed probably has more influence on that. 

Time, I agree with Bionic 2x 15 is a minimum.  I fussed over who would do them if I was not able but find people love to come and feed them if I will let them!

[landroverroy]

Traditionally females are considered to produce better meat. I don't think it's merely because of the possibility of boar taint, as until recently the males were castrated anyway.

[oaklandspigs]

Not sure I agree with 'Traditionally females are considered to produce better meat. ' Can you quote a source for this?

[CPWSolf]

Thats a perfectly reasonable distance as long as you treat them well.

I tend to lean towards females, but not for the taste, I just find them easier in general. No scientific fact there.

My pigs: get up say hi and feed and water them, same in the afternoon. On bad days both hot and cold I will check them more often. In general they are quite happy to just get on with it.

[MarthaR]

I think the other thing to consider in terms of time you take with them is to get to know what their 'normal' is like. Which is developing your 'stockman's eye'. That way you can clock if anything is amiss which would be unlucky but could happen. This is as straightforward as watching them move around, eat, drink and lounge around. I'm nearly three years in and I love spending time with them. The amount beyond the 'necessary' varies day to day - I work days, so see them twice a day, but on a dry Sunday morning, I'll happily sit in the woodland enclosure and enjoy watching their mooching.
Martha R

[landroverroy]

Not sure I agree with 'Traditionally females are considered to produce better meat. ' Can you quote a source for this?

Sorry, I didn't realise that for me to post something I had to have it documented, published, and peer reviewed. I was under the impression that this forum was for the exchange of informal information and knowledge gained from experience.

I live in the East Riding of Yorkshire, and local, experienced pig keepers and a couple of small butchers where I have taken my animals for slaughter have all said that female pigs produce sweeter meat. 
Unfortunately none of them have carried out controlled experiments to prove it, and I don't imagine that most consumers when presented with pork from a boar would have any complaints about it.

To me - if a thing is "considered" then it is just a matter of opinion, not written in tablets of stone. I have merely given my opinion  to  MChez's second question. I don't have to prove it to you or anyone else. Do you have any proof that what I am saying is incorrect?

 

[oaklandspigs]

'I consider' or  would be valid 'traditionally... are considered' tends to suggest a settled view through the ages :-)

http://pork.ahdb.org.uk/media/72711/effect-of-breed-finish-weight-and-sex-on-pork-meat-and-eating-quality-and-fatty-acid-profile.pdf

states :

'There were no significant interactions between sex, breed or finish weight on the sensory attributes of the pork. '

Anyway we have both made our points.

[MChez]

Thanks I didn't want to end up getting pigs and not be able to provide them with enough time , also working days Mon to Fri!

Just waiting to sign our contract for the land!

My wife loves ginger pigs so we have chosen OSB, probably 3 gilt weaners to start!

Thank you for all your help! 

[Bionic]

MChez, I started with 2 OSB gilt weaners so I don't think you will go far wrong with your choice.
Good luck with them

[pharnorth]

Mchez, a great choice. They are all great choices of course but nonetheless a great choice. Have fun.