[hughesy]

I still feel the need to temper all the downsides. It's not that there's no money in pigs it's just that it's very difficult to hang on to any of it. There's an awful lot of paying out to be done but there are also some profitable ways to sell your pigs or pork. I don't think anyone's methods are necessarily suitable for anyone else to follow because we all have different pigs, different situations, different costs and different outlets. You've got to find a way that works for you and it isn't easy.

[Fowlman]

I think you summed it up nicely Hughesy. Building your market and client-al is also critical, build slowly and not get too adventurous because as we all know pig feed bills is what ends many a plan. I've not even gone the breeding route yet myself and only fatten a few weaners each year. If i cover my costs and fill the freezer i'm happy, forget about the hours i put in 

[SallyintNorth]

Is there money in pigs?

Only if you dropped some in front of their noses

[Tamsaddle]

Which they would promptly eat up, I expect!

[Clansman]

Connor i'm just a little bit in front of you in the pig keeping process.

I've been researching it heavily for months now and have decided to go with the small Kune Kune as a first step into pigs.

They don't eat much compared to large breeds so our food bills won't be huge and we won't get as much meat from them but we've bought them very cheaply and also got a load of food with them so can't complain.

It's more a learning process for us just now rather than a pork producing exercise.

We also plan on killing and butchering at home for personal consumption which saves abattoir and butcher costs although it sounds like you are out to sell your pork so that wouldn't be an option for you.

anyone near you keep pigs that you could maybe keep one alongside theirs with and learn the process?

[JulieWall]

Is there money in pigs?

Only if you dropped some in front of their noses

Reminds me of when my daughter was very little and she thought you just 'put your hand in and pulled out the bacon' leaving the pig alive presumably. Now that pig would be a good investment.

[JulieWall]

We are just at the point where we have kept our first sow for breeding. I have an idea that timing is probably crucial if we want to sell all the piglets and not get stuck with any of them. I reckon that from April to July is probably the best time for selling weaners. I can't see many people wanting to overwinter a piglet as they cost more to keep in winter; eat more to keep warm, spend less time outside so need more bedding etc

[honeyend]

I had my first pigs last year, the easiest animal I have ever kept. I got them at 4 months from a good breeder the beginning of April and they were booked in the butchers for the end of September and I took them my self. If you had your own food, perhaps there is money in it but with feed at £7.50 a bag I can not see it. I am glad I had the experience but I am still weighing up whether I will have anymore and that's without any problems.

[shygirl]

with feed at £7.50 a bag

our feed store was selling at £10 plus a bag. though we could get it else for £270 a ton.

was is the price of pignuts in your area connor?

[JulieWall]

We find it most cost effective to buy a mixed ton of feed at a time. Also, by buying a whole ton of bagged ewe nuts, layers pellets and sow rolls we get the ton price on each feed and free delivery. We empty the bags into dead chest freezers which keeps it safe from vermin but easier to store and make a saving of over £2 a bag.
The recycling centre will usually let you have any old chest freezers they get in but do check them first in case, like me, you take one home that some idle slob has left rotten meat inside, that was an evil job to clean out.

[Liam_86]

There are people on here with much more experience than me but i thought id share my thoughts as well

The pork is you money at the end. i raised 8 weaners and after you take into account all the expense and selling 6 of the 8 we (Me and three mates) ended up with half a pig each for free and about £80 to split. Its all about being imaginative.

Pig feed is expensive for the amount they eat. We mixed ours with plenty of fruit and veg from my mates shop. Speak to your greengrocers and ask if they can save you the older stuff. You can give that to pigs easy as long as it hasnt been processed in any way.

Think of ways to add value to your produce. Hams, bacon and sausages are more attractive for people to buy and you can increase your profit margins here easilly. Dont bother paying a butcher to do this for you. Its surprising how easy it is to do and there are lots of guides out there to help you.

Pay attention to the advice you get on this forum, i listened and im glad i did.!!

Best of luck

[HappyHippy]

Think of ways to add value to your produce. Hams, bacon and sausages are more attractive for people to buy and you can increase your profit margins here easilly. Dont bother paying a butcher to do this for you. Its surprising how easy it is to do and there are lots of guides out there to help you.

That's fine as long as you're selling to 'friends & family' (which is a fairly loose description  ) but if you want to go to a farmers market or sell to the general public (either direct or indirect) you should have your product packed in an approved premises and labelled appropriately just to keep on the right side of the law and keep the environmental health officers off your back 

[shygirl]

we self butcher for our own use, if its for someone else then we use a proper butcher.

[Liam_86]

Good point Happy Hippy

An important one i missed.