Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Smallhold Farming and Rural Living => Livestock and Growing on a larger scale => Topic started by: GTFC197 on June 13, 2011, 21:18

Title: piggies here we come..
Post by: GTFC197 on June 13, 2011, 21:18
Finally got our "Holding Number" from the RPA today,  :) :) now we can start to get fencing sorted.
checked with council to make sure we were still ok to keep pigs on our strip and got the thumbs up.
Went to "open farm day yesterday" near Oakham, got soaked but also got lots of advice about keeping pigs, they answered all our questions and even told us things that we never thought of asking about.
Title: Re: piggies here we come..
Post by: joyfull on June 13, 2011, 21:22
ooh let me know when you get them so I can come and see  :D
Title: Re: piggies here we come..
Post by: GTFC197 on June 18, 2011, 14:18
sorry for delay in replying, it wont be till probably late August when we get them, but will let you know when they arrive.
Title: Re: piggies here we come..
Post by: debih on June 28, 2011, 13:39
You'll love keeping pigs - they are great!

We are now on our third lot.  We started with one GOS/Berks X, one Middle White and two Tamworths.  Then had four mongrel pigs - a bit of everything in them.

We now have 6 - two Saddleback/Oxford Sandy & Black X and four pure Berkshires.

They are so easy to look after and are great fun.  They love contact and love being brushed, although the larger they get the more boistorous they get!

We had 6 turkeys last year and this year have 25 on order.

Our friends (who we share our land with) have just ordered 2 Shetland cows, both with calves and both should hopefully be in calf when they come at the end of July.
Title: Re: piggies here we come..
Post by: GTFC197 on June 29, 2011, 12:14
Stop it, you're making us jealous, you seem to have what we dream of having, but finances say no. :(
We try the lottery, only want 2nd prize, don't want millions,  :wacko: just enough to be able to fulfil our dream. :(
We are probably starting off with 2-3 Tamworths, but not definite yet, still comparing breeds, taking wife for a day out at Jimmy's Farm on Friday, not telling her, extra b/day surprise. ;)

Title: Re: piggies here we come..
Post by: debih on June 30, 2011, 11:35
You should have a nice time at Jimmy's Farm - I haven't been but hubby has when he was working in the area and he says it is great.

We fell lucky with the land.  Our friends bought it to build a house on but didn't really want the extra land, other than a couple of paddocks for the ponies.  Fortunately it is close enough to just be able to walk to - which was a godsend in all the snow we had last winter.

So we clubbed together to buy the electric fencing and have gone into a "loose" partnership together to rear and sell pigs (eventually I think we will have a go at breeding) and turkeys.  The cows are their venture - we fancy sheep rather than cows so that is our aim for next year - half a dozen sheep to raise for lamb and hoggat.

They have half a dozen chickens over there too but our chickens are in our back garden.
Title: Re: piggies here we come..
Post by: GTFC197 on September 19, 2011, 07:16
Picking our 2 piggies up on 1st October, :) 2 little boy Berkshires. Fencing is up and running, just got to finish gate, picking up 1 trough today, just need another one.

Babs is like a child waiting for Christmas, :lol: must admit that I can't wait either. ;)
Will put pics on here as soon as we get them settled in.

Seems like ages ago since we decided to take the plunge, but rather have everything done properly from the start. ;)

just got back from collecting an old cast iron feeding trough, it's in brilliant condition, no cracks, cleaned all the old mud off it and now going to give it a coat of metal paint, will check first to make sure it's ok to use. 4 ft long, 6ins high at the front and 12ins high at the back, only cost me £25.00. The round mexican hat types are going for between £30-£50.
Title: Re: piggies here we come..
Post by: GTFC197 on September 21, 2011, 21:22
Just finished making pig house, we were given a free 2000ltr round plastic/rubber storage tank, so we laid it on its side, cut about 6 inches off length ways so it now sits on the ground without rolling.
Stood up the tank was about 6ft tall and about 3' 6" diameter. Putting a couple of euro pallets inside for a floor and putting in lots of straw. It is totally waterproof and I will be fixing some pieces of thin sheet metal around the doorway to stop them chewing it. Will try and get photo on here tomorrow.
Title: Re: piggies here we come..
Post by: GTFC197 on September 22, 2011, 21:58
Tank before alteration. :ohmy:

Will post pics of finished product as soon as everything finished. ;)
Title: Re: piggies here we come..
Post by: GTFC197 on September 24, 2011, 18:37
nearly there, bigger than it looks 6'long x 3'6" dia. having wooden floor aswell. driving in a pole at each corner, to stop them moving it, hopefully.
Title: Re: piggies here we come..
Post by: arugula on September 24, 2011, 19:31
Looking good Mick.  :) Have you got your Rylock sorted so that the piggies don't get out?
Title: Re: piggies here we come..
Post by: GTFC197 on September 24, 2011, 20:24
got a self closing catch on the outside, stock fencing all round and 4 strands of extra strong polywire around the inside, if they get out of that I'll then erect a sentry post at each corner complete with guard and machine gun. :lol:
Title: Re: piggies here we come..
Post by: arugula on September 25, 2011, 06:52
That sounds pretty secure.  :D
Title: Re: piggies here we come..
Post by: GTFC197 on October 02, 2011, 09:27
( trumpet fanfare) :D sorry couldn't resist it, waited so long for them, ;)

My Lords, Ladies & Gentlemen,

Please welcome Augustus & Perriwinkle, ???,  14yr old daughter named them, now come on, Perriwinkle for a boy? :ohmy:

Got to post piccies seperately because it keeps saying file is too big, even though I am using the same resizer as normal and the same settings >:(
Title: Re: piggies here we come..
Post by: GTFC197 on October 02, 2011, 09:50
still not letting me post piccies, sorry
Title: Re: piggies here we come..
Post by: Yorkie on October 02, 2011, 10:13
Have you tried a photobucket account?
Title: Re: piggies here we come..
Post by: GTFC197 on October 02, 2011, 10:20
Used to use Photobucket, had a few problems and went over to Pixresizer, now that is playing up, so will try photobucket again.

Thanks.
Title: Re: piggies here we come..
Post by: GTFC197 on October 02, 2011, 10:57
(http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x337/GTFC197/Pigs%202011/DSCN4418600x450.jpg)







Edit: change link to image.
Title: Re: piggies here we come..
Post by: GTFC197 on October 02, 2011, 10:59
sorted at last, I think. :)






Edit: delete duplicate image.
Title: Re: piggies here we come..
Post by: GTFC197 on October 02, 2011, 11:10
http://s1176.photobucket.com/albums/x337/GTFC197/Pigs%202011/?action=view&current=DSCN4417600x450-1.jpg
Title: Re: piggies here we come..
Post by: GTFC197 on October 02, 2011, 11:13
not sure if I've downloaded a full album or just 2 photos, can someone let me know, please
Title: Re: piggies here we come..
Post by: arugula on October 02, 2011, 11:37
Just a photo Mick, but the same one twice? Gorgeous piggies too!  :D
Title: Re: piggies here we come..
Post by: Val H on October 02, 2011, 12:02
I'm getting a full album of 10 pics with a slideshow. Lovely looking pigs.
Title: Re: piggies here we come..
Post by: arugula on October 02, 2011, 12:05
Yes I've just noticed that too.  ::)
Title: Re: piggies here we come..
Post by: Yorkie on October 02, 2011, 12:06
They do seem to be enjoying getting stuck into the mud  :)
Title: Re: piggies here we come..
Post by: joyfull on October 02, 2011, 15:53
lovely pigs Mick  :)
Title: Re: piggies here we come..
Post by: GTFC197 on October 02, 2011, 16:31
Argyllie, didn't realise I had done it, yes please top removing one. just took some more of them in thier wallow, will try to put them on.
Title: Re: piggies here we come..
Post by: GTFC197 on October 02, 2011, 17:01
http://s1176.photobucket.com/albums/x337/GTFC197/Pigs%202011/Pigs%20No2/?action=view&current=DSCN4432.jpg

http://s1176.photobucket.com/albums/x337/GTFC197/Pigs%202011/Pigs%20No2/?action=view&current=DSCN4429.jpg
Title: Re: piggies here we come..
Post by: hillfooter on October 03, 2011, 06:29
Excellent well done welcome to pig keeping, they look lovely. I'm sure you'll enjoy it.
Here's a couple of ours with my wife feeding they by hand.  It's good to get them hand tame.


(http://i1128.photobucket.com/albums/m491/hillfooter/CarolefeedingSaddlebacks.jpg)
HF
Title: Re: piggies here we come..
Post by: GTFC197 on October 04, 2011, 09:32
Love the picture,
 my 2 are ok with OH & daughter, but still a little bit wary of me because I was the one who grabbed them and put them in the cage to bring them home.
Managed to stroke the back of thier heads today whilst I put thier food down, blackmail works wonders. :D
Title: Re: piggies here we come..
Post by: GTFC197 on October 10, 2011, 20:27
Finally got our herd number through, so we are now all legal, I hope.
Contacting envoiromental health to come and look at our kitchen set-up to see if we need to make any changes to be able to butcher our own meat at home. So much red-tape, but I suppose it's needed to be able to trace meats back to source. Sorting out food hygiene courses aswell.

Went to Autumn Show at East of England showground yesterday, quite a good day, found out alot of info by talking to people who were selling their own home produced meat, got alot of "hints & tips".

Pigs are doing a great job turning over what will be our veggie patch after they have gone to slaughter.

Replacement pigs will be starting on a new patch when they arrive next year, and when they go the next lot will be starting on another patch, then back to patch 1, and so -on.

Hopefully it will work.
Title: Re: piggies here we come..
Post by: GTFC197 on January 02, 2012, 10:07
Happy New Year to all :)
can't believe our "babies" will be leaving us in 2-3 weeks for that great freezer in the sky  :(

time has flown by so quickly, got to admit that getting the piggies was the best thing we have ever done, thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it, definitely replacing with 2 more.

Not sure whether to stay with Berkshires or nor, all depends on how meat turns out.

Like to thank all who gave us advice, much appreciated. :blink:
Title: Re: piggies here we come..
Post by: mumofstig on January 02, 2012, 10:26
lovely piggies, nice chops I hope  :blink:
Title: Re: piggies here we come..
Post by: GTFC197 on January 02, 2012, 10:39
can taste them already :lol:

he had just stood on OH foot, :lol:
Title: Re: piggies here we come..
Post by: Judd on January 04, 2012, 19:12
Please let us know how they taste :blink:
I'll be getting some in a couple of months and need to know it's going to be worth the effort.
Title: Re: piggies here we come..
Post by: GTFC197 on January 07, 2012, 10:18
Will do, ;)
we can't wait to see if we've done everything correctly, these are our first pigs. :)
Title: Re: piggies here we come..
Post by: GTFC197 on January 07, 2012, 17:48
Managed to put pigs ear tags in today, alot easier than I thought. :)

Expected lots of struggling, squealing, etc :ohmy:, but not a sound.

Amazing how you can distract with a bit of food. ;)
Title: Re: piggies here we come..
Post by: Yorkie on January 07, 2012, 18:08
Amazing how you can distract with a bit of food. ;)

 :lol:

We learnt that very early on with our small Shetland Sheepdog.  Needed brushing daily to get knots out from behind his ears and from his nether regions. 

To say that he did not enjoy the experience would be an understatement; to say that he had sharp teeth would also be an understatement.

To say that his greed for the bone-shaped biscuits outweighed his irritation at being brushed, would be true for quite a lot of the time!!
Title: Re: piggies here we come..
Post by: GTFC197 on January 08, 2012, 10:50
brilliant, :lol:

pity it doesn't work with teenagers :D
Title: Re: piggies here we come..
Post by: GTFC197 on January 19, 2012, 18:40
bit of a delay, but finally got pigs booked in for monday morning, gonna miss 'em. :( :(


Title: Re: piggies here we come..
Post by: joyfull on January 19, 2012, 19:41
don't worry they will soon be back with you - just in a different form  ;)
Title: Re: piggies here we come..
Post by: GTFC197 on January 20, 2012, 21:17
I know, but it's the different form that I'm worried about, not knowing how the meat will turn out :unsure:

Saying that, we have thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it and will be replacing them shortly,  as they say,

"you learn by your mistakes", just hope not too many. :lol:

Will let you all know the results, hopefully with pictures.
Title: Re: piggies here we come..
Post by: GTFC197 on January 23, 2012, 23:32
Piggies gone to abattoir, :(  now waiting for opinion of butcher to see how meat turned out.

poor old Babs had a few tears, :( but she insisted on coming with me to take them.

Already told lady we bought them off that we will be wanting 2 more if meat ok, her sow is due another litter any day, so weaners shoulld be ready approx 8 weeks.

Title: Re: piggies here we come..
Post by: Kate and her Ducks on January 24, 2012, 08:38
How exciting to be able to have your own pork for tea. I hope it is wonderful!
Title: Re: piggies here we come..
Post by: Judd on January 24, 2012, 22:44
C'mon GTFC.........I can't wait to hear the results!
Title: Re: piggies here we come..
Post by: GTFC197 on January 25, 2012, 20:16
not collecting meat until tomorrow :(,

Babs went to see butcher yesterday and he said the meat was very good, not too fatty, :) but maybe could have left them for another 2-3 weeks, ??? which would have made them 6 months at slaughter. ;)

Will put pictures on here tomorrow when meat is brought home, if  haven't eaten it all :lol:

sausage, egg and chips for tea ;)

Really pleased with what he said, especially as this is first attempt.

Going for Berkshires again.
Title: Re: piggies here we come..
Post by: Judd on January 26, 2012, 18:23
You must have done a good job :D
You're going for Berkshires again and you haven't tasted any yet.
I take it you'd recommend them for a first timer?
Title: Re: piggies here we come..
Post by: GTFC197 on January 26, 2012, 20:39
a small sample of meat from our Berkshires.

the butcher loved the marbling in the meat, here is a couple of chops, a shoulder joint & a piece of belly.

Just had sausages for tea, you can really taste the meat.

Forgot to ask for bacon, but will remember next time.
Title: Re: piggies here we come..
Post by: GTFC197 on January 26, 2012, 21:27
Judd,

The berkshires were our first pigs, they were so easy to raise, not too big, lots of character, lots of fun, I would definitely recommend as a first time pig.

Awesome rooters, cleared everything they could find, even cleared the bramble patch. In some parts of thier run they had dug down to about 2 feet, it now looks like something resembling a bomb site, full of craters, but well fertilized and ready for cultivating to level off then veggies here we come.
Title: Re: piggies here we come..
Post by: Yorkie on January 26, 2012, 22:04
Well done, you've done really well - but how could you forget the bacon  :ohmy: :nowink: :wacko:
Title: Re: piggies here we come..
Post by: Judd on January 26, 2012, 22:07
Sounds good good to me and the meat looks great. Give yourself a pat on the back ;)
I've just just finished the door on my pigsty today. I can't wait for the pigs but it'll be a couple of months at least yet!
( A bit slack re: the bacon :tongue2:)
Title: Re: piggies here we come..
Post by: GTFC197 on January 26, 2012, 22:14
I know, I'm a bad boy :tongue2:,  but I couldn't get time off work to be able to  go to butchers with other half, so left her to arrange cuts :ohmy:

Not her fault, bless her, still love her to bits ;), bacon or no bacon. :lol:
Title: Re: piggies here we come..
Post by: JamesFarmFood on January 08, 2013, 09:26
Good luck