[School Farmer]

Can anyone tell me how to find a new home for Sid and Peppa the Vietnamese/oxfordsandy/saddleback cross 2 year old pigs we have?  We were given them as piglets for the school and were expecting them to be small, but they grew and grew.  They are a breeding pair and very friendly, particularly with children.  Unfortunately, we have had so much rain their pen in 3 ft deep in mud and they are having to learn to swim.  We need to build a new smallholding site but Sid and Peppa need a new home fast.  We are willing to give them free to anyone who can provide a good home, I don't want to ship them to the meat factory straight from school as I have 200 children who might never speak to me again.  We are in Ascot Berkshire -any help gratefully received.

[Kitchen Cottage]

Do you need someone to house them whilst you build their new accommodation?

[School Farmer]

No, I think they should go to a new home and stay there.  Maintenance men at schools are interesting breeds, you can never be sure how long its going to take them to complete a job.  Once we are up and running again, I will purchase two sows, that way we will have planned piglets rather than those that get born in the middle of prize giving!

[Kitchen Cottage]

I'm sorry but I couldn't justify keeping a boar.  You may have a problem with rehoming him,  The girl I could rehome for you as a breeding sow and not for meat.

[princesspiggy]

ideal opportunity for a hog roast?
kids need to learn the full story of farming really, the notion of going off to so and so's farm for the rest of their lives rarely exists.
or sell the meat to parents and donate the money to charity/school funds.

[School Farmer]

I agree that a hog roast would be a great idea.  The problem is that these pigs came to us as pets and as such have been treated that way by the children.  When we replace them when the enclosures are built, I fully intend to do the hog roast and selling to parents bit.  The children will be informed that this is what is going to happen and I am sure that they will go along with it, they are quite an understanding lot.  This time round however, they have formed inappropriate attachments to the pigs and  I need to let them know we have found a new 'home' for the pigs, the fact that Sid and eventually Peppa end up as hog roasts once they have left the school premises is not something the children or one or two staff need to know at this point!

[rispainfarm]

What a predicement, sorry you have been caught out in the micro pig saga. As they are not pure, it is unlikely they will be taken on as breeding stock. Have you advertised them locally, chances are they will end up as meat pigs whether you know about it or not. Have you tried any farm parks as they are free, they might just be taken on. How desparate are you for them to go. Why don't you send out a letter to the parents asking for suggestions, explain the situation and ask them to come up with ideas, add that the meat line is a possibility. parents shouldn't complain about this if they have been asked for ideas as to what to do. You never know someone might have a farm and be willing to take them.

[School Farmer]

Thanks for the advice, unfortunately I offered them to parents and no one has come forward.  I have an advert up locally and no replies so far!

[Kitchen Cottage]

I'm 'aving them 

[Sylvia]

Good for you, Kitchen Cottage  

[HappyHippy]

 
TAS to the rescue again 

[Bionic]

Great news Kitchen Cottage 
Sally

[Weaner]

Well done Kitchen Cottage,
I will eat the meat my pigs produce in any form but seeing them being hog roasted maybe a step too far, someone elses pig, fine.
Andy

[colliewoman]

I'm 'aving them 

Yay!!!!!

[wendy Scu]

dare i ask, school farmer, where they came from? anyone selling OSB's crossed with pot bellies with the label 'small' is having a laugh 

you are not the first school to have been caught out like this and its a shame for kids, staff and the pigs