[Rainyplace]

Over the last months since I came across this great site, I have read and read and read.. with great enthusiasm and interest about your experiences and interests. Have been contemplating purchasing some weaners for some time and needed the courage to go for it. Having now met some great local folk who have offered to be mentors, I am ready to take the plunge. Have ordered 3 Tamworth weaners locally and hopefully going to collect in a few weeks. Just wondered what your preference would be gilts or boars..and what single piece of advice would you consider to be most worthwhile..my very first post..I'm sure there will be many more....

[pigsatlesrues]

You will have possibly read that I adour Tammies so in my opinion a very good choice.

Re gilts or boars - either will be fine.  If you go for boars, castrated is better because you can keep them longer and since they are slow growers it means you can slaughter at a heavier weight. If yours are not castrated then you would have to be looking to slaughter at around 8 months old before they are sexually mature. You run the risk of tainted meat if you were to leave it any longer.

If there was a single piece of advice to give you I would say that building a good relationship with your pigs is not only important but very fulfilling for both you and your stock.  The Tammy is such a friendly pig and just loves being petted and fussed and will give you back so much as a result of your affection towards it.  You run the risk of the 'end' being difficult but in my view I would rather eat  meat from an animal that I have adoured and know that it was as happy as could be, than an animal that has not had that sort of quality of life.

Enjoy your Tammies and keep us posted on how you get on.

Kate

[carl]

I agree with kate, if you castrate the boys you can also have a mix, with no unforseen problems. I hope you get the enjoyment that I have had from my pigs( which I miss).
carl

[Guy]

i would keep with gilts personally , and not have to worry about the castration bit - (especially with the size of my account at the vets currently!! )

As for one piece of advice - keep  ready supply of sense of humour - and thoroughly enjoy the experience 

[Blinkers]

I go for either but gilts are probably easier for a first batch.   Advice  make sure you have several pairs of wellies and waterproof trousers........................they eat both  whilst you're wearing 'em 

[carl]

true, all mine are ventilated by the pigs.

[Hilarysmum]

gilts, males or castrees, doesnt matter you have tamworths.  No difference they are all extremely gorgeous.

[Pebbles]

Pigs are fun and easy......compared to sheep that is! We have two gilts, which was fine until we decided we were going to bread from them (now that job is down to me and the more I read about A.I. the more I wish we had a boar

Best piece of advice - gather together a new wardrobe of of old clothes (lots & preferably waterproof!!)

A sturdy backside and a good sense of humour are another must. And for goodness sake make sure they can't escape....... talking from experience.

Enjoy. You'll love it!

[Malc]

The word 'mentor' is probably the most important - help and advice from experienced hands are priceless.

Make sure you have good fencing, a no-nonsense attitude and a sense of humour - you'll need all three!

[Rainyplace]

Well, went to see the pigs yesterday. Older than I was led to believe, Tamworths around 5 months and some Berkshires around 4 months, all looked in great shape and was able to ask the owners lots of questions, just need to make that final decision....thanks folk for your comments, all aprreciated.

[Blinkers]

If you're wanting to rear weaners to pork weight,then the Tamworths are likely about ready now and the Berkies only have about anothe 2-3weeks before they're ready!!  Although I stand to be corrected about Tammies as not reared those before and mybe hey are a little slower growing...but even so.      Did they advertise them as weaners?   Cos it sounds more like they should have advertised as "finishers" really? 

[Hilarysmum]

I'm with Blinkers on this one, I would forego those and have some real weaners you can bond with.  HM

[Rainyplace]

Hi Folks, Heres a quick update, got the pigs, they are about 4 1/2 months, fairly small and I'm told will be ready in about another 4 months. They are soo lovely, 2 tamwoths and a berkshire, took gilts cos of the possibility of boar taint. They are settled in their new home and are very friendly, I could watch them for ages.......will keep you posted on how we are doing. Thanks for help so far.

[pigsatlesrues]

Any pics?

Kate

[Rainyplace]

will get my children to do techy stuff, my limit is logging on/off and email....