[andyc]

 Hello everybody.
  I am about to embark on my dream and become a smallholder. I have a simple question. Before i take the plunge and buy some pigs to fatten i need to do some research. Can any body suggest a good book I can get and read up before I get the pigs.
 Many thanks Andrew and family.

[HappyHippy]

I'd recommend 'Starting with Pigs' by Andy Case.
Alternatively, depending on where you are you might be able to get along to a pig keeping course - they give loads of info and have the added advantage that you can get 'hands on'.
Oh and don't forget to get your holding number / CPH number organsied too - you won't be able to buy your pigs without it.
Good luck and if you've any other questions feel free to ask away 
Karen x

[langdon]

yes mate got just the book for you-keeping pigs(tony york) its in the teach yourself range of books.
type in teach yourself keeping pigs on amazon.
its deff a book worth getting,we are just new to smallholding ourselves we got 3 brittish saddleback pigs,
getting ready for the table,that book was a jem.everything explained clearly and really simple to understand.
we got our 10 chicks, cockerel and 2 goats. we like you have been wanting to do this for a long time.
this t.a.s.f. is a jem too we have learnt so much,anyway all the best mate hope it goes well for you
keep in touch langdon

[JulieS]

Hello and welcome Andrew and family 

The Andy Case book is definitely worth getting, and I agree with HappyHippy that a pig keeping course would be a good idea too.

Read through the pig section on here too, lots of very useful info.

Good luck with the smallholding, whereabouts are you?

[little blue]

hello and welcome,
 check out your county's library (via internet is quickest!) for pig books, you might get the best of lots of them then!

[Hilarysmum]

If at all possible find someone who already has outdoor pigs and try to get some hands on experience.  Good luck, but be warned pigs are very addictive.  (Think when I die in the mode of Mary Tudor will have that engraved on my heart)

[gavo]

I'd recommend  RARE BREED PIG KEEPING it is sensible and down to earth. When we started [a few years ago now] it was the book we read the most;it covers all sorts; from how to hand rear [if you have to ] to paperwork; feed amounts and serving and farrowing. It's a publication by the GOS breeders but it's relevant to all rare breed pigs.

[Daisys Mum]

I have muddled through with the Andy Case book and loads of reading the TAS forum and am about to send my third lot to the abattoir

tomorrow. What I want is a remedy for this awful sick to the stomach feeling I have a few days before, when they are away I am fine and I

have NO problem eating them. I can even take them there myself but today I am a wreck. Got to recomend it though nothing like the fantastic

pork and bacon.

[Pigglewiggle]

The best pig book i have found is " A guide to traditional pig keeping" by Carol Harris, lots of great info, easy to understand.
 Good luck with your pigs, they are great fun

 Debbie

[andyc]

Thanks everyboady for your advice.
sorry its taken a bit of time to reply but i have been a bit dissappointed. Well very dissappointed.

I explained to the owner of the land what we wanted to do(in great detail)  before we maid the 5 hour round trip to see him and to check out the land. We allready new the area as we have been there many times.

To my great dismay we were told in very plain language that we could not keep pigs on the land. We were also given a long list of things we could not do. 

needless to say we were gutted and very annoyed after doing all that travelling. 

Well its back to the start and the search for an appropreate place again. I supose it will give me more time to research  a bit more about pigs.
Thanks again everyone.

[JulieS]

Sorry to read about your disappointment.

I hope you find somewhere even better very soon.

Let us know how you get on.

[Hilarysmum]

Who knows but one door closes and another opens, you may find somewhere better with less restrictions. 

[little blue]

How frustrating for you.  But who knows whats around the corner, life is what you make it!

[Hilarysmum]

Daisysmum did you take the pigs? How did it go?