[jules@bogside]

I am considering taking on a couple of mini pigs to keep as pets. Before I get the ball (and credit card) rolling on booking courses and buying books can anyone shed any light on any potential health problems re mini pigs?

I ask because I know that selective breeding can result not only in genetic abnormalities that can cause health problems later in life but also in the animal being unable to function properly - I cant remember the breed but some dogs can't breathe very well due to extreme breeding and we all know about the poor hens with spindly legs unable to carry the weight of their massive bodies!

I admit to being torn between the notion of having a couple of cutesy pigs and thinking that surely there is something just not right with a pig smaller than my dog!

Thanks

Jules

[Hilarysmum]

Odd that you should ask this question now, as only yesterday friends of mine were considering buying mini pigs for breeding purposes as they get so many requests for pet pigs, which then get returned at around 9 months because owner cant eat them but they have become too big to be suitable as pets.  This includes kune kunes and pot bellies.  So he had an idea to buy a breeding trio.  None of us thought of the genetic problems.  Would be really interested if anyone knows anything about this.

[smiffy]

Hi
We breed mini pot bellies, like all pigs they can suffer from genetic problems especially if thery are interbred.

All in bred pigs can have genetic defects, what you have to ensure is the pigs you purchase come from a reputable breeder.

We are very carefull with boar selection, to ensure the boar is not in any way related to the sows. This takes a bit of reseach, checking where the boar came from and back tracking through breeders by at least 3 generations.

if the breeders are genuine, they wont mind being asked and should pass on the details of where their stock came from.

It is worth the reseach we ask £200 for our mini pigs and i know some people ask up to £600. When a customer is parting with money, they have the right to know, also mini pigs dont have pedigrees so it is very hard for the purchaser to check the genetics on the pedigree


hope this helps

[Hilarysmum]

That is very helpful thanks Smiffy.

[jules@bogside]

Yes - thanks Smiffy. That's great advice! How big are your mini beasts? I have just shy of an acre and would love to pen the pigs at night but allow them to roam during the day - do you reckon even small pigs would just wreck the place? If so can you advise what area would be needed to pen 2 minis? (I would have two areas to rest the ground).

Thanks!

[smiffy]

Our oldest sow is 2 years old and 16 inch high, 2 foot long
ther daughters are 12 months old and the same size, i expect they will grow another inch at the most

an acre is more than enough for mini pigs, potbellies tend to graze, however this differs from pig to pig, i can not promise they wont digg a trench

[littlepigfarm]

I am considering taking on a couple of mini pigs to keep as pets. Before I get the ball (and credit card) rolling on booking courses and buying books can anyone shed any light on any potential health problems re mini pigs?

I ask because I know that selective breeding can result not only in genetic abnormalities that can cause health problems later in life but also in the animal being unable to function properly - I cant remember the breed but some dogs can't breathe very well due to extreme breeding and we all know about the poor hens with spindly legs unable to carry the weight of their massive bodies!

I admit to being torn between the notion of having a couple of cutesy pigs and thinking that surely there is something just not right with a pig smaller than my dog!

Thanks

Jules

I dont see whay any of these pigs should be interbred.  I have many sows and four boars and there is absolutly no need for it.  All my Pet/Micro Pigs are regularly vet checked and we have no genetic health issues.

www.littlepigfarm.co.uk

[smiffy]

little pig farm, it is not just mini pig, but there are people out there who interbred pigs.
If it all works ok its called 'line breeding' if it goes wrong its interbreeding!!

some people do it out of ingnorance, or accident, such as breeding brothers and sisters.

The most important thing for anyone buying a pig is for them to check the parentage.