HEY ! Size isn't everything Robert
and they're not
that small !
Your 'standard 85Kg liveweight porker will kill out at approx. 65 Kg and you can expect approx 45 Kg of pork cuts (can't think of the proper term) compare that to a Kune @ 11 months old giving 33 Kg of cuts and it's not that far off really
My last crosses went at 'the magic' 6 months old, no idea what liveweights were
but the deadweights ranged from 45 - 50 Kg, and we got an average of 38 Kg from each of them. I know, I keep saying it, but I LIKE Kune Kunes
Harry - You can make bacon from any pork loin - just Kunes are a
little bit smaller, so the piece of bacon is a bit smaller (but the taste more than makes up for it, I think
) and they're great for sausages.
With around half an acre, 2 or 3 pigs should be all you're looking for. I'd go for 3 entire males to maximise your 'growth potential' but NEVER mix gilts and uncastrated boars, or you run the risk of ending up with piglets. They become sexually mature as early as 3 months in some cases
Kunes typically grow a bit slower (being 10-12 months old before being ready to slaughter) but the feeding is less than standard 'big' pigs - Kunes only need around 1lb of hard feed per day when on grass (and as much fruit as they'll eat
) otherwise they get VERY fat.
Where abouts are you Harry ? Maybe there's someone close to you who you could visit and see some Kune Kunes ?
Karen