[daniellestocks]

I went and picked 4 saddleback gilts lastnite which will be ready in a month! We have the pick of the litter, which are all quite nicely marked, to start our herd! I cant wait! So i will soon be a proper pig farmer, lol, and this time next year will have some pigglets running around
So we will be looking for a boar soon too, but unsure on which to get yet as we have an old spot gilt also we will be using for breeding? Any suggestions on what would be good to put with both breeds? Or a saddleback boar for both? Oh and we are breeding meat pigs 

Thanks Danielle 

[Unicorn]

I would definately get a Saddleback Boar.  But make sure and get one from a different bloodline to your own.

When Gloucestershire Old SPots have piglets from a saddleback boar, they are usually saddleback piglets, sometimes they may have a spot in their stripe - but at least your herd will look good, and if there only for meat the spots in the saddle will not matter.  Also you have more Saddlebacks than GOS so it would make sense.

Its a personal choice really if you never intend to sell piglets, but if you might want to sell some piglets, and you have the chance to register your new weaners, I would, then you have the best of both worlds. Buy a Registered boar too, you will just have to have a different tagging system for the GOS weaners so that you do not make the mistake of selling one of her weaners thinking that it is a pedigree saddleback.  We have different tag numbers for different breeds.  It is important to do this for the records and future of Rare Breed Pigs.

Again - if its only for meat the animal husbandry is simpler, good luck with the piglets - your gonna have some laughs and lots of fun x

[Hilarysmum]

Following on from Unicorn - our saddleback has just given birth to 10 from a GOS.  We have a pink one 2 black ones, a spotty one, a pure white one, 2 that look like saddlebacks, 1 looks like a pure bred GOS and 3 that dont look like anyone. 

Whatever you decide you will enjoy just as much.  Wonderful meat.

[daniellestocks]

Great, thanks guys, I think it will have to be a saddleback then 
I'll start looking now!   

[Hilarysmum]

Have you looked on the BPA site?

[Unicorn]

Following on from Unicorn - our saddleback has just given birth to 10 from a GOS.  We have a pink one 2 black ones, a spotty one, a pure white one, 2 that look like saddlebacks, 1 looks like a pure bred GOS and 3 that dont look like anyone. 

Whatever you decide you will enjoy just as much.  Wonderful meat.

Hiya Hilarysmum,
WOW thats quite a concoction -  :owhen this has happened with ours they have all been saddlebacks, some with very wide stripes, and some with narrow stripes, and some with a spotty stripe but never that varied - sound a really cute bunch - how old are they and any chance of a really cute picture of them 

[daniellestocks]

Ive been on the saddleback website and got some numbers to call, so fingers crossed we may soon have a little boar x

[chickenfeed]

 :)where are you and how far are you willing to travel i am going to get 3 saddlebacks this weekend and i have been told he has 40 - 50 to choose from i cannot post his number as i have not got his permmision but you can call me on 01733 840128 we are cambs based.

[daniellestocks]

Hi chicken feed, near Pickering , North Yorkshire
Thanks danielle

[chickenfeed]

hi i have just had a phone call from a man called bill piper from north wales he has saddlebacks for sale if anyone is interested or knows of anyone wanting weaners contact him on 01766 530576 or mobile 07970760063

[Hilarysmum]

Unicorn cant get the pictures from my camera on to my computer, am waiting for the new model to arrive.  They are 6 days old.