I want to buy a pig?
There are some important factors to consider before starting with pigs:
Someone said that 'a happy pig is an outdoor pig' - Pigs are natural browsers who gain a great deal from spending as much time as possible in an outdoor environment. All the Rare and Traditional British Pigs were bred as hardy outdoor animals and will tolerate all that mother nature can throw at them. As long as it is provided with good housing, and has someone who will look out for it and look after it properly, a good diet, plus freedom to come and go as it pleases, a pig will thrive. A pig needs a warm and dry place in which to sleep and rest. It needs protection from wind and rain, and also shade against the rays of the sun. Like humans, a pig can suffer with sunburn, so you must be careful, particulary with paler skined pigs like the Gloucester Old Spot for example.
Why do I want a pig? Do you want to grow it for meat, or do you want to breed. This is an important decision to make at the start of your venture, because your relationship with your pig is very different with a breeder compared to a porker. A breeder becomes a friend - part of the family; a pig destined for eating is one that will thrive on a good relationship with you, but your mindset must be that it is ultimately destined for the freezer. When the 'finishing' day comes, you will be reassured that your pig has had a very happy life and that needs to be your ethic for your whole journey - do your best by your pig and enjoy your pork.
If you decide to go the breeding route, we would recommend that you have a couple of seasons just growing pigs for meat to get used to the whole experience and be comfortable and confident handling them before you buy your breeding stock. You need then to decided on what breed of pig to buy. Do you want pedigree stock or purebred stock. Pedigree stock will be more expensive to buy, but it ensures you of pure lines. In order to sell any offspring from these pigs as pedigree, you will need to join the appropriate organisation which will require you to pay annual subscriptions. Pure breed pigs are less expensive, and you will need to be sure that the breeder is honest when telling you about the history of their pigs. Ask for some references perhaps? You must be very sure that any pig you buy has been bred by a reputable breeder. We have both pedigree and purebred stock and can confidently say that any stock we offer for sale is selected for purpose. Only pigs that conform to our own critiquing - good conformation and temperament - healthy blood lines - we consider the temperaments and charactistics of parents and grandparents important, all of which are here for you to see. When you decided on a breeder or breeders, visit them and see their pigs. Any reputable breeder will welcome your visit with no obligation for you to buy. If you want pedigree stock make sure that the breeder is a member of the British Pig Association (BPA) or in the case of Kune Kune's or British Lops, they have their own societies. If you decide to go the pedigree route then make sure that all the pedigree paperwork is ready for you when you collect your pig. If it isn't ready for the pre arranged day then delay the collection of your pig - do not leave without the paperwork under any circumstances!
Owning a pig? Pigs are very social animals and thrive in the company of their own kind. It is best to have the minimum of two pigs and slaughter at the same time. Leaving one behind can be cruel and not recommended as if you wish to introduce another pig into the fold at a later date this may cause social problems. You need to decide what quantity of meat you personally require, and what weight you want to achieve for the 'finishing' day. We often recommend that if you only want a single pig it is worth buying your pig as one of a pair together with a friend. By sharing the cost of buying and growing - your pig will be happier in the company of another. If you have enough land you may decide to go into a threesome. In this case you must consider that again, the pigs' welfare is paramount, so at 'finishing' time, slaughter one leave two until later, or slaughter all three at the same time. Never leave a pig alone - it could be miserable and depressed.
What space do I need? For two weaners (aged from 8 weeks old), to keep for say six months, an area of around 10m x 20m to include an arc, or barn for shelter would be adequate. They will dig, they love to dig! If you have a larger area with say two pens in a 10m x 40m area, you can move the pigs half way through, to let one side rest and recover, whilst the pigs start on the next fresh area. They will love you for that! A little tip from a smallholder forum: if you keep your pigs on an area for five to six months, and then leave it to recuperate, once the pigs have left, replace them with chickens and ducks. They will clear the land of any nasties. If you have enough land, and the following year you can use fresh land for your pigs, after the chickens and ducks have done their work on the used plot, why not plant veggies? They would thrive there.
What breed/type of pig should I buy? We breed the traditional British Rare Breeds which are slower growing, and produce the most excellent tasting meat, which is deep in colour and full of flavour; distinctly different from the pork you find in the supermarkets, which is supplied from the indoor intensive elevages. You will find this pork paler in colour, with very little flavour in comparison.
Your selection must be made taking into account your budget and your requirements. Do you want any pig, or do you want a pig that is going to give quality meat and fullness of flavour? This is your experience so you must decide what is important to you. We have several breeds here at Le Vivier - your choice really does depend on what you fancy. Some people go for a particular breed, and others just pick a pretty colour or a cheeky personality. Our pigs are friendly and easy to handle. If you get amongst them you will get a feel for the ones you like. Temperament is very important since it is you that will be attending to it, feeding it, administrating medication if required, and spending quality time with it. The quality time is very important for you and your pig, so take your time in making your selection.
How much will it cost to grow my own pig? Whether you buy an elevage pig or a traditional breed, the cost of growing that pig will be the same. After the initial purchase the feed cost averages out at about 1 to 1½ euro per day, per pig.
What do I feed my pig? Staples - Farine d'orge, or Toniperf granules/farrine can be purchased at grain merchants. You can buy special seed/pig mix direct from some local farms. Other foods - all of your vegetable and fruit surplus/ waste can be fed to your pig. Orchard fruits in season are excellent. Also breads etc. Potatoes should be cooked, but other veg can be fed cooked or raw. They will eat more or less anything. Our pigs hate parsnips!
How much should I feed? Feeding weaners is quite straight forward as they can be fed fairly liberally; notionally 1 kilo of feed per day at 2 month increasing upto 2.5 kilos per day over five to six months. The more you feed them the heavier they get. Monitor your pigs growth weight - especially with the traditional breeds, as over-feeding is when they can lay down too much fat, and fat is not good for the pig, spoils the meat, and wastes your money. If possible let them root around or graze to find some of their own nutrition. Your pig - is it too fat? too thin? hungry? not hungry? feed accordingly. Always provide fresh water, and in the warmer weather if possible allow your pig to make it's own wallow. Your will notice your pig turning over it's water container almost as soon as it has been filled? A wallow is used to keep themselves cool, and the mud coating also acts as a barrier against the suns rays and in the case of a breeding boar the decoration/mudbath is normally applied before mating.
What size housing do I need? Approx size which would house 3 pigs of pork weight - floor size 2.4m x 1.5m with height 1.2m. Alternatively if your enclosure encompasses a barn of some sort, as long as it is dry this would be fine too. We also make pigs arcs to order, so I if this is of interest to you then please ask us about it. Pigs sleep closely together or on top of each other to keep warm. If you do use a barn then section off a portion to restrict the space a little for a comfort zone. Bedding - straw is always best, summer or winter, and they love to bury themselves in it.
Do pigs smell? The answer to this is a deffinate no. Contrary to popular belief, they are not dirty animals. They are extremely clean and will go to the toilet outside of their living space within 24 hours of being born. You can collect their 'poo' every so often, and use it for manure - it will be ideal for growing root vegetables. You can rot it down in the traditional way mixed with straw to aerate it, and use it later when it has matured, or dig it into the ground fresh, digging around frequently to allow the air to circulate, ensuring that you do not plant for at least four weeks after you have introduced it to the soil.
What if I have a problem? Any pig purchased from us is wormed on the day of departure. We only sell/rehome healthy animals. If your pig encounters a medical problem we would of course take your pig back and you could make another selection to take its' place. This has only ever happened to us once, and the pig developed an apsess caused by a scratch during it's first week in it's new home - we exchanged the pig straight away and he has since made a full recovery. We are available at anytime by telephone and email should you have any concerns or questions when you get home. We offer help and advice right up to the 'finishing' day, and if you need support for that to you only have to ask us.
We offer open house to anyone interested in our pigs. If you would like to visit us and look around, and mix with and handle the pigs, you are very welcome to do so. Contact us soon and we can set a date!