[woollyval]

Thought you might like to see the Mangalitza x Kune Kunes I have. They are 6 months old and nice and lean and long....very pleased with this cross!

[jaykay]

They're really nice 

[Victorian Farmer]

fantastic pigs

[Kitchen Cottage]

cuteness overload....

I'm not sure I could scoff them (and I can easily scoff Bambi!)

[HappyHippy]

Nice  Glad they've got the Kunekune face (not that Mangalitza's aren't nice too  )

Now for some questions Val (hope you don't mind  ) but I'm genuinely interested and want to know more.

Do you know roughly what weight they are ?
What have you been feeding ?
When are you planning to send them off ?

Looking forward to hearing how they get on 

[bloomer]

bigger question does all that hair come off ok so you still get crackling?

[Eastling]

Very cute

[mwncigirl]

OO I really like these!!!

[woollyval]

Ok....answers!

I have had pigs on and off for about 30 years and this cross is very interesting. I last had manga x tamworths and actually the amount of fat on a manga is lowish....in Eastern Europe they feed them so much they look like baloons and they like them very fat!

Mine I would estimate weigh about 60kg or so and would give a lovely looking carcass as they are not fat and I can still feel their ribs. They get a scoop (one of those round metal ones) of sow nuts each a day divided into two feeds and have 1/4 acre at the moment and another 1/4 acre to move into. They get waste bread from baker when available and waste fruit and veg when available. They are quite cheap to feed compared with other breeds. I think they are quite manga in the face and I have one with and one without piri piri.
If I was to send them off I would possibly do it now as a nice size.

However I am getting another one tomorrow as I intend to breed from them as I think they are an ideal cross. They are not as hairy as all that and I have never had a problem with abattoirs and hairy pigs, possibly because I use small local ones.

I have had lots of KKs made into sausages before and I have a feeling that these will be a much better cross for sausages and hams. Manga x tamworth was the best bacon I have had and is very dense in texture...I'm hopeful of these!

Anyone who wants some piglets next year let me know......Oh and they are very laid back and friendly too.

[HappyHippy]

Thanks for that Val 

Good weight for 6 months too, I'd always been led to believe that Mangalitza's were a slow growing breed but it would seem they're not that slow really.
So, the other Mangaloonie you're getting - will it be used to cross with these ones ? (I'm just extra nosey about the genetic make up lol!) and what sort of litter size did you get with the last litter ?
Also (sorry for the spainish inquisition  ) what are they like on the ground ? Do they graze like Kunekunes ? With pig food prices rising as they are, it all helps doesn't it 

We crossed our OSB sow with a Kunekune boar (not intentionally, but having just slaughtered 2 of them - it's a cross we'll be repeating  ) and were surprised with how well they grew and the quality of the pork - we like Kune pork in this house 
Karen 

[Mammyshaz]

They are cutesy, but those faces look mischievous 

Are they a breed for a first timer to consider? ( just wondering, its not as though I can have a couple where we are at the moment  )

[colliewoman]

Can I book a couple of these for next year please??

[woollyval]

More answers 

I didn't breed them...I bought them! They are the result of 2 KK sows and a Manga boar. I think they were both from litters of 10 piglets.

The genetics mean I'm going to cross what I think could be half brothers/sisters but as the genetics are so far apart I'm sure it will be fine, after all if you study the pedigree of say a large black its alarming how few blood lines there actually are and how closely they are all related!

I would say they are similar to an OSB x KK in size etc but with the hair means they can keep warm more easily therefore theoretically should keep warmer and eat less to keep warm. They do dig, but since where they are kept is very wet grotty part of my holding  its less than when I had Berkshires who turned it into the Somme!!!

They are easy for first time pig keepers because they are easy to befriend...like most KKs, respect one strand of mains electric....bare wire only for pigs imho. Are not too bargy like bigger pigs can be and don't seem to be looking for a way out like some. I think they are rather nice!

CW....booked!

[HappyHippy]

Thanks for humouring me Val 

I think they're great  (just incase you hadn't realised  )

I'll be watching for future updates from you (and photo's too of course  ) Good luck with them