[Oly]

I was wondering which breeds of pigs only graze and don't churn up the land?

From what I have seen I don't believe that Kune Kune pigs churn up the land, although I have seen quite a few with nose rings presumably to stop rooting...

I was just wondering as we may like to raise pigs from weaners to butchering, but not if they churn up the land.

Thanks in advance,
Oly

[Hassle]

All pigs root it's just the depth they go to

[Oly]

Many thanks for the quick reply.  Think that answer my question nicely!

[JMB]

Pigs with shorter snouts will do less damage, like kunekunes, but we have 3 and they do still churn things up.
I wouldn't put a ring in their snout though, I think it's cruel.
If you had room to rotate your field, say with an electric fence, you could just put up with some damage, move them over and let the land recover.
Pigs are lovely and worth the mess!
J xxx

[Hannes]

Tried Guinea Pigs yet ? 


seriously, I am also in a discussion with our gardener, She believes that Tamworth pigs are better diggers than our Old Spots. She said, Old Spots don't dig, they just graze. Graze - 15 inches deep, that's right.
Does anyone else know or think of any quality difference in the digging of pigs? I bought some expensive Tamworths now  for her to churn up the couch grass on the garden field, But still don't believe in that what she says.
Ok, Tammys have longer snouts, but still....


Anyone with ideas?
 

[SallyintNorth]

They're pigs.  It's what they do.

[Jackie 2]

The best breeds for just grazing are called sheep 


 Pigs will dig and churn up ANY land you keep them on which is great if you want to make a plant area as they are the best rotivators I know!

[HappyHippy]

The best breeds for just grazing are called sheep 

Yup, I agree - ALL pigs root at some point.
Shorter snouted breeds - Kunekunes and Middlewhites don't do as much damage and Kunekunes will graze, but only when there's good grass.
If you're looking to raise them for pork, I'd go for Middle whites - they'll finish quicker than Kunekunes and your ground can recover for the next batch the following spring.
HTH
Karen

[Fowgill Farm]

seriously, I am also in a discussion with our gardener, She believes that Tamworth pigs are better diggers than our Old Spots. She said, Old Spots don't dig, they just graze.  Graze - 15 inches deep, that's right.

having GOS pigs too i would entirely concur that they can dig to the depth that all you can see is their backsides sticking up out of the bog hole they've created or should i say crater!
mandy

[Button End Beasts]

Errr, i think the moral is don't believe that any pig wont dig. A few years ago, we started off with Middle Whites and despite over feeding them (it seemed an awfully cold winter that year) they dug the biggest holes out of all the rare breeds thatb we have kept! Their faces were permanently black, they looked liked the black and white minstrels from those old films!

[kja]

some friends of our wanted to keep some non digging pigs and after doing their reaserch got a pair of kk's so far they have found bricks, old farm machinery and even some old land drain pipes  all of this is dispite having grass to graze they seem to enjoy the grass roots better.

[hughesy]

I've read in a few places that Saddlebacks are grazers. Dunno who dreamed up that nonsense ours are very efficient rotovators. Even giving them a large amount of space just means it'll take a bit longer but they will turn it all over in no time at all. They don't call pigs "Nature's Plough" for nothing.

[rispainfarm]

I've read in a few places that Saddlebacks are grazers. Dunno who dreamed up that nonsense ours are very efficient rotovators. Even giving them a large amount of space just means it'll take a bit longer but they will turn it all over in no time at all. They don't call pigs "Nature's Plough" for nothing.

I have never heard this saying hughesy, its lovely and so right

[hughesy]

My philosophy is that they are playing their part in the greater cycle of things. Cultivating the ground so that it can be regenerated. If we can use their natural behaviour to our advantage it's a win isn't it.

[scarlettoara]

Tried Guinea Pigs yet ? 


seriously, I am also in a discussion with our gardener, She believes that Tamworth pigs are better diggers than our Old Spots. She said, Old Spots don't dig, they just graze. Graze - 15 inches deep, that's right.
Does anyone else know or think of any quality difference in the digging of pigs? I bought some expensive Tamworths now  for her to churn up the couch grass on the garden field, But still don't believe in that what she says.
Ok, Tammys have longer snouts, but still....


Anyone with ideas?
 

we have kept tamworths and gos, it was our gos who did the most damage as she tended to flip the turf over in huge sods which are a devil to flatten again and def needs a tractor powered something or other, whereas the tamworths just rooted and mushed it, which more or less can be trod down again by foot.