[PPF]

Hi All

I've been reading some of the threads on here and learnt so much  , but I need some general help and advice please.

Firstly, I'm just about to take on four eighteen month old Kune Kune pigs.  Two female and two castrated male.  Four are a little too much, but I'm taking them on as the owner has been flooded out.  I've read that they have lovely temperaments, not to let them get hold of the sheep feed and that they like plenty of room.  Apart from pig nuts and hay, what else can they have?

What are they like to keep in fencing wise?  I have an area which is stock fenced and I'm going to put a line of electric around the bottom.

Secondly, I'd like to send two in for slaughter.  I have no idea what I'm doing!  Obviously I have my CPH no.  I've found a very local abatoir.  What happens from start to finish with regards paperwork, what happens on the actual day.....apart from the obvious and anything else.

Any other relevant help and advice would be appreciated.

[Fowgill Farm]

Hi well done you for taking them on
have a read here, http://www.oldspots.org.uk/getting_started.asp
lots of info relevant to all pigs see article time for pork.
Happy Hippy will no doubt be along soon with KK info as they're more her bag
enjoy tour piggies
all the best mandy

[Hassle]

Now you have your CPH number speak to AHVLA and get your herd mark. If your correspondence address is different from the herd location, you can use a grid reference.

Pigs will eat sheep food fine ... it's the other way around it becomes more serious as pig feed normally contains copper.

Don't feed any food that has passed through your kitchen (waste or fresh)

Electric fence and stock fencing is the best way, however they will look for weaknesses and if not experienced electric fence before you will have a few days of surprised squeals.

learn about eaml2 this when they move on to your property and when they move off you need to document it link here http://www.eaml2.org.uk/ami/about.eb

Day trip to the abattoir ... you load up about 4am in the morning (if it goes well) sit around then until you are documented to leave (or wake up everyone as you discuss with your pig why getting in the trailer is the best thing for it and strip the house looking for something to entice it. Then drop off with a printed copy of the eaml2 document and try and entice the pigs out. and then return as soon as you can for a box

[HappyHippy]

Once you get your pigs, phone animal health who will issue you a herd number for pigs - this needs to go onto the pigs when they go for slaughter - either with a tag (easier and cheaper) or a slapmark. Some abattoirs will only take slapmarks, so check with yours what they prefer and get them ordered asap (it saves last minute delays and panics  )

Kunekunes LOVE fruit and most veg, we feed ours 1lb of hard feed, hay (when there's no grass) and a bit of fruit and veg or sugar beet.

Your electric wire round the bottom of the stock fencing should work a treat, the only time you're likely to get break outs is if they're hungry so keep the hay topped up when there's no grass 

HTH
Karen

[PPF]

Thanks all, great advice.

My herd mark is already being processed. 

Can't wait to meet them now 

[fiestyredhead331]

don't be getting too  if some are going to the abattoir.......

[P6te]

We use 2 abattoirs and and both give us the flexibility of taking the pigs the day before (if we wish) and bedding them down with straw and feed. We find that this reduces the stress and pressure on us and hence for the pigs too.

I think it the pigs are less likely to be stressed when slaughtered as they are settled in ... its certainly worked for us.

Pete

[Tudful Tamworths]

Unless you're planning on breeding from the females (which may be difficult, given their age), I would suggest sending the two females for slaughter and keeping the castrates.
The females (unless they've been spayed, which is unlikely as it's a tricky and expensive procedure) may get hormonal and a bit boisterous every 21 days when they come into season. Just an opinion. Good luck, whatever you decide. Keep in touch and let us know how things go. Liz

[ppd]

A question (sorry) but if the boys are castrated, will they still get (the possibilty) of boar taint?
Just interested!

[Berkshire Boy]

ppd, no they will not get boar taint if castrated and very unlikely if uncastrated unless they have been working.

[Marches Farmer]

don't be getting too  if some are going to the abattoir.......

The guests who stay in our farm holiday cottage often ask if our pigs have names.  Sometimes it takes a moment or two for them to cotton on when I reply, "Yes, they're all called Porky."  (Actually the breeding pigs do have names as it simplifies telling someone else about which it is if something's wrong, but I feel I have to make a point on this one!)

[PPF]

Thank you all for taking the time to asnwer my post.

The four pigs arrived safely yesterday and I have to say they are wonderful.  Two are castrated males and then two females.

One female and two males appear to be a good size, but the one little lady seems either very young or very slight compared to the rest.  I was hoping to send the biggest one (female) and the next biggest (male) in for meat.

I'm not sure how to put pictures on here of them, but I do have an FB page called Letterbox Farm if anyone is interested.

I have another question regarding tags, but will start a new thread now.

Once again, many thanks!