Pig Talk

Pig Talk – This page, hopefully, contains information you might find useful.

So, you want to keep pigs?

Before you can keep pigs you need a holding number. There is lots of information on how to get one on  www.defra.gov.uk. There is also information there on movement controls and licensing plus transport regulations.

Then you need to consider the following.

  1. Have you got a draught free shelter?
  2. Do you have a water supply, if not, can you get water to your pigs? They are notorious for tipping everything upside down so think about water vessels.
  3. Do you have storage for food and bedding?
  4. Are your fences and buildings escape proof? Someone once said to me “if it is watertight it is pig proof”. This might be a slight exaggeration but pigs are curious, very strong and remember where weak spots are.
  5. If you are going to eat your pigs where will you get them slaughtered and cut up?
  6. If you are going to breed from them, where is the nearest boar and what will you do with the offspring?

As long as you do your homework and are prepared pigs are relatively easy to keep and you will have hours of fun.

Buying your pig.

There are lots of breeds of pig and plenty of information about the different breeds on the web. Also talk to, and if possible, visit other experienced breeders and pig keepers. Agricultural shows with pig classes are a good place to see different breeds under one roof.

Whatever breed you choose then only buy strong, healthy stock. If you are buying breeding pigs then check they are eligible for registration, check they meet the breed standard and they are tattooed or notched correctly. There is information on buying pedigree pigs on the breed society sites and from the British Pig Association.

Pigs for eating will be those not considered good enough for breeding stock. They should still be strong and healthy, a good length and with good hams.

Breeding pigs should have good underlines, that is the correct number of teats for the breed and even and well spaced for feeding a litter. There shouldn’t be any dummy teats that won’t milk. Don’t forget your boar should also have a good underline, after all he is half of your litter!

Legs are important too. One on every corner! Not turned in or out, too far under the pig – remember they have to carry your pig around and a pig with good legs will last longer than one without.

Look for pigs that are wider at the back than at the shoulder. They shouldn’t look like the head is on the wrong end.

Birth Notification and Registration.

Only birth notified pigs can be sold as pedigree pork. You can only register pigs for breeding that have been birth notified. You might have a very good boar and sow who between them produce a litter of ten but only a few will be good enough to breed from. Sometimes there might not be any worth registering. If you can, ask an experienced breeder to help you go though your first litter when you are tattooing/notching and filling in the forms.