Pigs are a great addition to any smallholding being the most enchanting and interesting creatures. From time to time we have dabbled in keeping them.
Our first foray was into Kune Kune pigs. These are a charming little pig, their name is pronounced Cooney Cooney, and means fat and round in Maori. They probably originated in Polynesia, but their recent history is as "house-pigs" to the Maoris in New Zealand. This close association with man has ensured a very easy going temperament being relaxed in the company of people and other animals.
Kune Kunes arrived in Britain in 1992 and are now becoming established with about six hundred pure-bred registered pigs in the country. They are around twenty four inches high, and one hundred and twenty to two hundred and forty pounds in weight. They are completely covered in hair which can be anything between short and straight, and long and curly. They come in a range of colours including cream, ginger, brown, black and spotted. The most unusual feature of most Kune Kune pigs is a pair of tassels, called piri piri, under their chin. They are unusual in that they can grow and fatten on a diet of grass supplemented by low-protein concentrates only in the winter, which makes them ideal for smallholdings. Kune Kunes are very low maintenance animals needing little foot trimming nor other attention save for twice yearly worming (and vaccination if required for breeding. Contrary to popular opinion they are one of the cleanest of animals and never foul their housing area.
The plan with the Kune kune pigs was to get used to keeping them before we decided whether to keep them or even breed from them. However, within 10 days the decision was made for us. When feeding the pigs one morning I heard a strange noise in the pig shed, peering in I was greeted by 8 wriggling piglets - 4 white and four black and white
Investigations with the source of the adult pigs revealed that a young white boar had been left with the young gilts but was thought to be too young to bother them. Clearly the boar knew better!
First learning - piglets grow like nothing else. Within 5 weeks the white piglets were nearly 20lbs, unfortunately the black and white piglets were not so vigourous and suffered as a result. So the white ones were weaned at five weeks leaving Mum to rear the three little Kune piglets which she did most successfully.
More recently we purchased two Gloucester Old Spot piglets and reared them for the table. They too were tremendous characters and kept us entertained with their antics in the deep straw litter.
In 2009 we again had two Old Spot weaners and reared them to full size over the summer. They became firm favorites. They cleared out our compost heap of mouse nests in no time!
Pigs are a great addition to any smallholding being the most enchanting and interesting creatures. From time to time we have dabbled in keeping them. 
Our first foray was into Kune Kune pigs. These are a charming little pig, their name is pronounced Cooney Cooney, and means fat and round in Maori. They probably originated in Polynesia, but their recent history is as "house-pigs" to the Maoris in New Zealand. This close association with man has ensured a very easy going temperament being relaxed in the company of people and other animals.
Kune Kunes arrived in Britain in 1992 and are now becoming established with about six hundred pure-bred registered pigs in the country. They are around twenty four inches high, and one hundred and twenty to two hundred and forty pounds in weight. They are completely covered in hair which can be anything between short and straight, and long and curly. They come in a range of colours including cream, ginger, brown, black and spotted. The most unusual feature of most Kune Kune pigs is a pair of tassels, called piri piri, under their chin. They are unusual in that they can grow and fatten on a diet of grass supplemented by low-protein concentrates only in the winter, which makes them ideal for smallholdings. Kune Kunes are very low maintenance animals needing little foot trimming nor other attention save for twice yearly worming (and vaccination if required for breeding. Contrary to popular opinion they are one of the cleanest of animals and never foul their housing area. 
The plan with the Kune kune pigs was to get used to keeping them before we decided whether to keep them or even breed from them. However, within 10 days the decision was made for us. When feeding the pigs one morning I heard a strange noise in the pig shed, peering in I was greeted by 8 wriggling piglets - 4 white and four black and white
Investigations with the source of the adult pigs revealed that a young white boar had been left with the young gilts but was thought to be too young to bother them. Clearly the boar knew better!
First learning - piglets grow like nothing else. Within 5 weeks the white piglets were nearly 20lbs, unfortunately the black and white piglets were not so vigourous and suffered as a result. So the white ones were weaned at five weeks leaving Mum to rear the three little Kune piglets which she did most successfully. 
More recently we purchased two Gloucester Old Spot piglets and reared them for the table. They too were tremendous characters and kept us entertained with their antics in the deep straw litter.
In 2009 we again had two Old Spot weaners and reared them to full size over the summer. They became firm favorites. They cleared out our compost heap of mouse nests in no time!
