[Janette1970]

Lots more of my friends and family are trying to put me off having pigs!!!!!!   

Can anyone please clear up a few things for me:
 
1. Do I have to have a special vehicle to transport my pigs to the abbatoir?
2. Do I need to wear white coat, wellies, hat when I transport my pigs either home (from vendor) or to the abb?
3. Do I need to take a test before I'm allowed to have pigs?

These are all things that people have assured me I need to do/have!

I know I need to disinfect any trailers/crates (thoroughly and with defra approved dis.)  during the transportation process and there are a few forms I need to fill in (not rocket science, I do have a degree!!!(although not in rocket science!!!))

Would I be right in thinking that you may need white wellies etc if you are picking pigs up from the abbatoire and taking to the butchers?
And I am aware that you need to have some kind of refrigeration process if you are selling the meat commercially!?!?!

I also thought you were allowed to kill pigs in your own yard if the meat is for your own consumption (not that I would just clarifying a point here!)

I would be greatful of any help as people are all so negative around me at the moment!

My career has not panned out as I hoped and I really want to try something different before I loose all sense of being on this planet!!!!! 

[doganjo]

I don't know the answers to any of your questions, but I do know if you were a child of mine I would be proud of you for thinking out of the box. 

I think the main thing is that you care for any animals you have, but you don't usually make money out of them, and that goes for dogs too (my chosen animal) - if you do it right I mean - like being a KC accredited breeder, registrations, health tests, best food for bitch and pups, allow for vet visits, ops etc. 

Good luck, whether you go for pigs or not. 

[Malc]

Hi Janette,

1 You should take the pigs to slaughter in a proper livestock trailer. Vets at the abbatoir tend to frown on anything else.

2 You don't need white coat, wellies etc. Not unless it's changed in the last couple of months since I took animals in.

3 No you don't need to take a test, although as much knowledge as you can get is always a help.

Seriously, don't let any ill-informed folk put you off. If I were you I'd check the rare breed websites (most breeds have one), find a breeder in your area, call him/her and ask to visit. Most of us are only too happy to show off our pigs and pass on advice to a potential fellow-enthusiast. Knowing another pig-keeper in your area is also invaluable should a pig fall ill (rare) or if you need to borrow a trailer.

If you are selling the meat it should be delivered to customers straight from the butcher or abattoir unless you have premises which pass health standards.

You can kill at home if it is for your own consumption, but as far as I can work out, you have to do the killing yourself and that's not an option for most of us.

Just make sure you've got proper housing, proper feed, as much ground as you can spare, the best fencing you can get hold of, and a lot of TLC - then you'll be fine.

All the very best.