[vickylouxx]

on talking to my mum how kept pink pigs 20 years ago , she didn't go by breeds just the colour we have been talking about which breeds to get been told tamworths escape and as the land I'm going to be using is not next to me I'm going to have to rely on battery electric fencing , does any one now what glouster old spot are like or any other ideas would be appreciated thanks Vicky

[ukag0972]

Old spot are slightly more docile than Tamworths. Any pig with loppy ears are usually quieter. I think the same would apply to saddlebacks!

There are loads of pig breeds, have a look on the britshpigs.com website, they will have information on the breeds.



Editted, thanks overthegate!!

[Bodger]

Don't you mean more docile ?

They have floppy ears which act a little like blinkers and they are my favourite.

[vickylouxx]

thank you i will look into the breed and see if i can get any up here 

[BillyBerridge]

I've never kept tamworths however from what i hear they can be a little too good at escaping!

The GOS is a nice breed, that said I did once have one with a reel attitude problem.. guess her fate already?

As I said before OSB is the best all round breed for me, friendly,docile, a good natural grazer (dont tend to dig as much as other breeds given space), they produce great pork and dont tend to run to fat. Oh and i forgot to say very good looking!

All in all great pigs!

 

[HappyHippy]

Hi Vicky,
We had the battery run fencing and it wasn't the greatest TBH. Our 2 (Tamworth and saddleback) both got through it, despite having a 3 strands of tape and changing the batteries regularly. I'd be wary of only relying on that to keep them in, but others may disagree. Depends how fit you are for catching them !

Here's a link for GOS breeders http://www.oldspots.org.uk/members.asp looks like Caithness, Banffshire or Aberdeenshire are your closest. Do let us know how you get on.
Karen x  

[sausagesandcash]

We trained our Tamworths to a mains electric fence as weaners i.e we held them next to the fence so they could see it and touched them off it three times. Now they avoid it like the plague. please don't be put off Tammies. They are great with bucket loads of personality, a real treat to have around.

Morgan

[vickylouxx]

thank you all for your advice sorry about tacking my time to reply but had to wait until the kids got of the PC as soon as i get a heard number i will be looking for some pigs cant wait lol 

[doganjo]

When I was in Aberdeenshire my friend wanted us to raise Kune Kune's. (I had the ground, she had the money and ideas) I'm really not interested in pigs now I'm down here but these were the cutest pigs I'd ever come across, so very friendly and easy to keep I was told.  I don't think they plough up the ground and they'd probably be easier fro your son to handle.  The bigger pigs can get pretty stroppy I'm told.

[vickylouxx]

hi, I'm hoping to have pork pigs as well but my son wants some pigs we wont be eating just cant understand him ,I'm hoping he wont become a vegetarian so he is saving for his own pigs with his own ark

[doganjo]

In that case, Vickylou, the Kunes would be excellent.  They have lovely personalities. http://www.britishkunekunesociety.org.uk/

[vickylouxx]

i think it will take him oh about a year to save , thank god for my parents which pay there pocket money , he has already saved £50 and he nows he must buy 2 

[smiffy]

We have tamwoths, berkshires, lops and mangalitzas.

Tamwoths are by far the most adventuous. they can jump stock netting, however a couple of strands of electric puts them off. they are great fun to have around with lots of personality.

Mangalitzas are very vocal, docile and very active, they seem to spend less time sleeping than the other pigs.

lops are also friendly and docile, i think its down to the HUGE ears

Berkshires I think are my favorite, but dont tell the others!!!!!! again very friendly,

all our sows are friendlier than most dogs. all pigs thrive on attention.

I dont think it really matters what breed you get, if you spend enough time with your pigs you will reap the rewards.

[vickylouxx]

hi , thank you for all your advice , now i cant wait until i can start looking for pigs wish defra would hurry up and give me the number I'm waiting on

[Hilarysmum]

Phone them up and hassle them!!!!