Author Topic: Pig weaners & what breed? (Read 6792 times)

kja · « **Reply #15 on:** February 19, 2014, 08:04:07 am »

British lops not only need all the support they can get being a long deep pig make great pork and bacon pigs. laid back so very easy to keep & they make great mothers.

the lop society has lots of info on their website

Azzdodd · « **Reply #16 on:** February 19, 2014, 08:22:58 am »

I have had a few weaners saddlebacks were amazing we had 2 gilts and they were stonking so much so the breeder came to help me worm one day and had them back for breeding.....as others have said see what's around

Marches Farmer · « **Reply #17 on:** February 19, 2014, 12:28:42 pm »

If you might want to keep a couple of gilts to breed from make sure the litter has been birth notified and that the gilts are suitable for breeding (good conformation, including the correct number of teats), as well as correctly fed and housed while growing. I suggest going to a high end agricultural show (Great Yorkshire, Royal Three Counties, etc.) and wandering around with a pleasant expression with a view to talking to as many keepers as you can (don't do it just before they're due to show, however!) These keepers are likely to have animals raised to a very high standard of stockmanship and well handled, thus avoiding some of the problems mentioned in posts above.

shygirl · « **Reply #18 on:** February 19, 2014, 03:46:25 pm »

Quote from: Marches Farmer on February 19, 2014, 12:28:42 pm

If you might want to keep a couple of gilts to breed from make sure the litter has been birth notified and that the gilts are suitable for breeding (good conformation, including the correct number of teats),

and that the breeder is willing to register them for you at a later date. there will be pedigree weaners in the litter that arent breed standard aswell as good quality ones that end up going for meat. let the breeder know you may keep one on as a breeder and they can help you choose the best pigs in the litter. taking the runts as they are cute then asking the breeder to register them a year later isnt going to do the breeders reputation any good.

kja · « **Reply #19 on:** February 19, 2014, 07:56:22 pm »

. taking the runts as they are cute then asking the breeder to register them a year later isnt going to do the breeders reputation any good.
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done correctly even a runt can go on to make a good breeder or even show winner ………. we have a pig to prove it she was left at home for the beginning of the show season one of her litter mates got through to the last 2 traditional pigs in pig of the year by the end of the season she was cleaning up in the ring. she is now one of our biggest sows.