Judith
You most deffinately do not need to dock tails or cut teeth. This is a horrible practice done on intensive farms. Here in France it is common practice in these types of farms, and to us a disgusting and inhumane practice.
Just enjoy your pigs!! If they are for your own consumption I am not even sure you even need to tag them. Certainly in our case, we only need to tag our breeding stock and all pigs destined for meat do not need tags whilst growing but do need to be tatooed prior to going to the abatoir. You would need to check the rules about taking your pigs to the abatoir in UK. Not sure of the rules there but DEPRA would be able to adivise you.
Your choice of Tamworth is an excellent one. We love our Tammy's and infact bought our first one, Vannessa from Hillarysmum along with Laura our Saddleback. They have the most wonderful temperaments - you wont regret it!
Be careful about feeding though. You would be amazed how many people over feed their pigs and ultimately waste their money because inevitably excess food will turn to fat and an unhealthy pig. I have seen pigs with as much as three inches plus of fat once processed. We rehomed a 4 year old Tamworth who much loved by her previous family was so fat she could hardly walk, and wheezed when she breathed. It has taken us months to get her into shape and she is now a different pig altogether. Our problem now is that after all this time she still hasn't come into season and if she doesn't then we have a difficult choice to make about her.
At this time of year there is an abundance of fruits and nuts which along side their staple diet will keep your pigs contented and ultimately give you the best meat. Always good to get your weaners early spring and grow them through the year when they can get the best of all natures fayre. Most of the people who come to us for weaners come between end March to beginning of May and usually plan to slaughter around end November beginning of December.
One thing to remember though when you reach this time is that your pigs will be very good friends/close family and it would be devistating for them if having two pigs you only slaughter one, leaving one for later. Do them at the same time? it is much kinder. If you went for three weaners then kill one and do two later.
Tamworths are slow growers,and benifit from that, and infact will still give you perfect meat as old as 18 months old. Hiliarysmum might correct me there!
I will look forward to reading how you get on!
Kate