Unicorn, I am starting my research here, so asking basic questions generates answers from different points of views which then leads you on to further research. So dont be too surprised that people use this medium as their first port of call.
Your other post about pigs getting a large part of their feed from grass was partly what prompted me to put this thread here.
The problem with asking such questions on here is that people answer it, but leave large gaps of other information out, you can read threads, and different people pick up on certain points, leaving out others, that are seen as not relevant to them - but maybe to you.
I would not advise anyone to use any forum as their "first port of call" regarding keeping AND breeding Animals. Thorough reasearch into basics should be taken before taking on another life of any sort, that will be totally dependant on you.
We would not need establishments like the RSPCA and other animal welfare places if it was not a fact of life that people take on animals that they are not prepared to look after - because they didn't KNOW which questions to ask.
Padge - if you took this post as hostile - you are far too sensitive- and I am far too protective of animals too.
Take it as you will, I will always speak up for the welfare of the pigs, and expect people to look harder than just posting here - thats the lazy way in my opinion.
You can never know everything, we have kept pigs for a number of years, we have at least 10 books on rare breed pig keeping, we run courses for new pig keepers, but there is always new problems to encounter, and sows that behave differently when giving birth or raising piglets to your other ones, we had a boar die within a week of purchasing him. We did not know why he died, the vet did not know, so we paid for a post mortem, and the District Vetinery Office wrote a full report on the death.
It was the first young pig to die of Liver Disease in 40 years that they knew of - they learned something too from our loss, and asked to have permission to publish it, and information on our farm, for other vets to learn from. There was nothing we, or the breeder, did wrong, it would have been born with the problem. The kind people who sold us him were also devastated, and they gave us a replacement pig, which was a very nice gesture and not expected. Unfortunately the breeders are no longer in pigs, it was a hobby of theirs and not their main business, but they were excellent at looking after all of their animals, and were very nice people.
What I am saying is - no one knows everything, read a good book, then ask questions and make your decisions from there.