Author Topic: Getting started (Read 3204 times)

Pigglewiggle · « **on:** January 26, 2009, 10:50:39 pm »

Hello,

We are planning to get 2 or 3 piglets soon to start our journey to one day having our own smallholding. Do we need to get them all at once ? or can you introduce them at intervals ?
Any advice would be gratefully received

Thanks

Debbie

garden cottage · « **Reply #1 on:** January 26, 2009, 11:51:42 pm »

I would get 2 for now,see how you get on, we got 3 initially and the one tamworth was much older than the other 2 glos old spots which did cause problems. pigs are very sociable animals need the company of another. good luck you wont regret it.........neil

Guy · « **Reply #2 on:** January 26, 2009, 11:52:53 pm »

personally i would get them all together so they all know their pecking order from day one and if all for meat then less stressful as they all go off together - but i guess it depends if they are being kept for meat or breeding or pets? no doubt more knowledgable advice then mine will be along shortly - good luck

MrsJ · « **Reply #3 on:** January 28, 2009, 01:29:21 pm »

We got six Gloucesters all at the same time. 4 went for pork and we kept the other two on to fatten for bacon. We now have a further three over the winter and are hoping to expand later this year.

Rosemary · « **Reply #4 on:** January 28, 2009, 06:45:46 pm »

A stable group is easiest to manage for you and least stressful for the pigs. Adding new pigs to an established group will need careful management.

Hilarysmum · « **Reply #5 on:** January 29, 2009, 08:52:06 am »

When we first started with pigs we got 2 then another arrived the following day. Put her in with the other two, and WW3 broke out. Took a lot of fencing, and some time to reintroduce her to the other two.