[Sharnoak]

I have two 10 weeks old Large Black gilts, who at the moment are in a pen approx 21ft x 18ft, with a 'sty'. They have already done a marvellous job of rotary hoeing all the ground, and I am eager to let them into a bigger area. My plan is to eventally allow them access to the wood, which is in dire need of clearing, but I don't want to give them too much too soon-does that make sense? Would it be a better idea to increase their living space gradually? The wood area is about 6 acres, much of it overgrown with Broom, which up to this point is being dragged out by hand, as there are too many trees to use the old tractor. Any advice gratefully received!

[robert waddell]

two pigs will never make a difference to 6 acres either all at once or in stages  i am assuming they will be going for the chop when ready

[Sharnoak]

  i am assuming they will be going for the chop when ready

errr  no Robert  I am far too much of a softie! I have got them for their land clearing abilities-if you saw the amount of Cape Broom, you would understand  .

[princesspiggy]

iv had my pigs in a 15 acre wood for over a year. they still havent made much impact on the nettles or docks, just turning over the grass that is there.
id wait a bit longer than 10 weeks old til u let them go, u want to make sure they know where they r and that they r safe from foxes/badgers. about 4 months old would be good. til then just increase the size of their paddock with electric. 1/4 acre is plenty for little legs.
they will love it tho, lucky pigs.

[Sylvia]

Get a few more weaners and a firmer heart

[HappyHippy]

If you want them to completely clear and rotivate the whole area - you're gonna need more pigs 
I've got 4 fully grown Large Blacks (plus a Berkshire) in an area of almost 2 acres, they've been there over a year and the ground is still 'unrotivated' in lots of places.

I'd keep them confined to a small area and relocate it once they've cleared it - a wee electric fence set-up as PP says would probably be ideal for the job 

  i am assuming they will be going for the chop when ready

errr  no Robert  I am far too much of a softie! I have got them for their land clearing abilities-if you saw the amount of Cape Broom, you would understand  .

Are you going to breed with them ?
If you don't send to slaughter or breed you're going to end up with 2 large girls who feel like they have something missing in their lives  They may start to give you problems with escape attempts (going looking for a boar) or behavioural issues (piggy PMT is no fun !) when coming into season.
I'm not having a go at you, or trying to put you off - if you're going to breed you're going to have lots of learning to do and face the fact that some of their offspring are going to go in the freezer 
Whatever you do decide though, we'll all be here to help if you need it 

Karen 

[MAK]

I have been thinking about this for a while. What would the advantages and disadvantages of keeping our 2 pigs in the wood ?
It all sound a nice thing to do but my list of disadvantages is very long  and  "advantage" is very short.

I guess it comes down to how you keep them now and if you think keeping them in a wood will save you money, improve their diet or make them any happier.

It strikes me that for most of the year a woodland floor is a pretty bland piece of land - with no grass or weeds but plenty of brambles and little else. Sure Autumn could be plentiful if you have the right trees but then we collect buckets of chestnuts and acorns from a lane.

Can anyone suggest what is in a wood that pig can eat all year round compared to them being next to the garden, orchard,water supply  and my outdoor kitchen  ( spuds,swedes etc etc cooked up in winter).
Not sure if I am missing something here. 
Oh - I do have a minor disadvatage of hunters and their dogs roaming the entire country shooting anything that moves ( a few year backour local hunt  killed 2 mushroom pickers and another hunter)  so not sure a fence and a few signs will keep my pigs safe from the gun or crossbow.
 

[HappyHippy]

MAK here's my take on it  Pigs are naturally/historically woodland dwellers (except maybe Kunekunes who are a bush/scrub pig) They manage the forrest floor (Forrestry commission have wild boar in some of their plantations for this very reason) and the trees provide cover from the elements. It's got to be established woodland (over 10 years old) or they'll just dig the trees up 
I think it would make them happier, more than saving you money or improving their diet

[robert waddell]

mak you are in France so a bit different to the lush woods of Scotland   i have seen pictures of the forest floor with nothing but rotting leaves totally different to Scotland and some parts of England
if you are not breeding from the gilts get castrated boars instead  and if you are wanting the wood cleared do it in small areas with electric fencing
the forestry commission is just at the experiment stage using the pigs to fertilize the ground and avoid maintainance round the trees also the have wild boar hunts that bring in money

[princesspiggy]

my woods are only 20 yrs old so in the hardwood sections, they are 5ft high in weeds. im wanting my pigs to tame it a bit!

[HappyHippy]

my woods are only 20 yrs old so in the hardwood sections, they are 5ft high in weeds. im wanting my pigs to tame it a bit!

Think you'll probably need to do a bit of 'spot' treatment Julia  Fence them into the weedy areas or else they'll take forever to get round to it  Pigs always seems to go for the good clear ground first (or maybe that's just here  )

[robert waddell]

when we first had pigs they were there to clear the elephant grass   the wood had been fenced of for over 15 years
we supplied photos for Linda McDonald browns book (pigs for the freezer) our Tammie's are on the front cover in our wood that now looks like the Somme

[MAK]

true Robert the woods in this area are mostly  on top of the hills that are granite outcrops - the good land  is for cattle pasture. The woodland my neighbour has just given me is very dense and the ground rubbish ( Stone) - little grows on the floor and I can see no value - just headaches taking the next 2 pigs up there for a day out.
Any tips how to teach weaners to follow me around ? ( a bucket of food will no doubt help)
- I would like them to follow me to a garden we have ( never used ) and dig it over for us. I can sort out electric fence there  BUT would bring them home at night - so I can brush their teeth and put them to bed !!!

[princesspiggy]

wait til they r wise to the bucket, wont take long. we shriek Pig Pig and rattle the bucket and they all come running. u cud use a stick and a board tho, but will need a bit practise.
 

Think you'll probably need to do a bit of 'spot' treatment Julia  Fence them into the weedy areas or else they'll take forever to get round to it 

when  we first moved here, it was so overgrown, we couldnt even leave the garden without strimming first. the pigs woods are the wildest now. the stinging nettles are the worst. if i spray them, how long until i can put the pigs back there. i usually use stracato (tho they changed the name).

[robert waddell]

you have to train them to come to the bucket  and a good bit of faith     when we weigh ours they are let out to the field Lillian stands at the gate and does the same as princess two grunts a fart and a snort and they are in going back out they follow the quad  and go back in to there pen Little or no drama
pigs that are used to being moved or shown with a board are easy to move just do not expect pigs that have been left alone to go where you want when you want
also if you get them to follow you miss a feed and they will follow for the food