[Wibblers]

Evening all.

Our first post hear although we've been reading a great deal here the last few weeks/months!

We're about to take the plunge and get our first couple of wieners. We've an acre of land to cultivate for veggies, hops etc and they're cheaper than a tractor and we can eat them at the end of the season 

Basically we have the choice of either a pair of GOS or a pair of Berkshires. What we'd like is some feedback as to which would be best for us? I gather the GOS's being lop eared should be easier but that the meat could be more fatty than the Berkshires.

Any thoughts gang??

[Tudful Tamworths]

Both would be suitable. However, I'd go for Berkshires. Easy to handle, reach pork weight by five months old, and very economical to raise. GOS are extremely popular, but friends who have them find them hugely stubborn when it comes to moving them from a to b - e.g. loading them onto the trailer for the abattoir. Also, Berkies won't suffer from sunburn like GOS over the summer months (should we have a summer this year!).

Don't fret over it - choose one breed (flip a coin if you have to), take them to pork weight. Next time, try another. That's the only way to find out what pigs/pork you prefer. Have fun and enjoy your pigs x

[Eve]

I'd go for GOS, they're wonderful animals and taste absolutely great. We've never had problems with any of ours being stubborn, but then again they will follow food wherever it takes them!  

Nice to see you're calling them 'wieners' (instead of 'weaners') - you've got the right idea!  


And welcome to the forum!  

[JulieS]

Welcome to the forum 

I'd say GOS (but then I might be a little biased!).  Not too fatty if you feed them properly and maybe a little stubborn......but make them think it was their idea to start with and they will do anything.

Good luck with whichever breed you choose.  Let us know how you get on 

[Mr Pig]

For 'stubborn' read 'laid back' and you begin to see one of the many advantages of GOS.

[Wibblers]

Thanks everyone.

Can't believe I wrote 'wieners' lol Thinking of those lovely sausages already mmm.....

[nelson]

Hi - go for the Berkshires - here are the sausages 

[Eve]

If someone tells me how to add pictures I'll upload some of our GOS bacon 
(We didn't take any photographs of the sausages or burgers, they got eaten too quickly  )

Wibblers, you probably already realise we all have our favourite breed!   Have a look at what's available near you, that might make the decision easier. 

[Wibblers]

Gosh, you guys are as bad as us brewers when it comes to your favourites!

We've decided on the GOS's (sorry Nelson, Tudful) Them being reared quite literally down the road to us really swung it.

Oh that and the fact my 2 daughters (5 & said they preferred 'pink pigs with black spots' bless 'em!

[nelson]

Wibblers  - no problem - just enjoy your pigs and the yummy meat they produce

[Hilarysmum]

Welcome to the diverse world of pig keeping, it wont be long before you are as hooked as the rest of us. 

[princesspiggy]

we just got 2 gos weaners...sooo funny, they were having "madpig" this morning, flapping their ears and running round. completely different characters to tamworths (who i adore) like 2 naughty puppies...lol   

[loosey]

  I call mine the pink ones! The only thing that would sway me away from GOS next time is their contsant need for factor 50 in the summer ... they cover their whole body in mud from the wallow and then leave the tops of the ears to burn to a crisp 

Also, does anyone keep GOS with any other breed, and have you noticed that they STINK compared to other breeds?!

[Eve]

Yep, ours do the same: the top of their ears would be a fluorescent pink if we were not careful, the rest of their bodies are a uniform brown.

With our GOS, their own bodies don't stink much - unless they've been rolling in a wallow they've just peed in, of course The pooh gets cleaned up every morning and evening, but on a hot day with wee fermenting in a wallow, a gas mask wouldn't be amiss. Every summer there are those few days when you can smell them from a distance. We've resorted to a rotating system for wallows (they dry out so quickly here we need to top them up every day anyway) which helps a great deal.
It's Eau de Porc! 

[princesspiggy]

Also, does anyone keep GOS with any other breed, and have you noticed that they STINK compared to other breeds?!

we havent let the meet the tammies yet. im hoping the tammies wont break through the fence when the weaners go outside for the first time...
we thought the piggy smell in the stable was really strong too... and theyvonly been here half a week...the tammies dont seem to smell at all, but the yard has def changed scent since our shetland cows arrived last year.