my new girls arrived yesterday

[winstonwobble]

my new girls arrived last night and im not talking chooks 3 glostershire old spot pigs they are so cute they look like fat dalmation puppies

[bobleponge]

Yum yum. They will be great fun, but wont look like fat spotty pups for too long.
Hope your fence is strong.

[ginger ninger]

Can we have some baby piggy photo's to look at W.W, Please. xx

[vicky]

I'm sooo envious! Photos please!

[Hilary B]

GOS are pretty, and one of the most placid breeds of pig (which makes them relatively easy to control).
How old, and what purpose? (ie, all for eating, if so bacon or pork, or is there an idea of keeing a sow for breeding?)

[winstonwobble]

11 weeks old all for eating will hopefully be ready for xmas dinner they will be about 22 weeks then never had old spots before had saddlebacks last year but found them to be a bit fatty nice flavour though dib;dab and spot very original names !!

[Nicos]

WOW!!....our first little pigs on the Vine???

They're really lovely- bet you have hours of fun with them! ( hope that's not going to be a problem??)
Like their name!

[kevnsue]

my new girls arrived last night and im not talking chooks 3 glostershire old spot pigs they are so cute they look like fat dalmation puppies

Hi winstonwobble,what are the cost's of keeping your 3 pigs likley to be between now and slaughter,cheers kev.

[kirsty b]

awwwww so cute. Heard the meat is lovely from that breed. OH is keen on raising a pig for meat one day, but we don't have the room, and it can't go on the plot - although having one rooting it out for me would turn the ground over a treat!!!

[Polly Fouracre]

I got my three little Berkshire gilts at the end of June, they too are destined for the freezer, hams etc. They were the size of a pug when I got them and are now the size of a mastiff!
As to costs, it depends what you feed them. I have been lucky enough to have surplus organic veg from a local source. Huge beetroot, overgrown courgettes, blown caulies etc. so don't rely entirely on expensive pellets. I also cut up winfall apples and pears and carrots and cooked spuds to scatter round their pen and this seems to keep them occupied. I was afraid that once they'd eaten and rooted up all the grass they would make a bid for freedom but the veg. seems to keep them happy.
They will go in December so I will introduce them to the trailer in November as I am determined that they will have as little stress as possible at thhe end. I will take them early in the morning, lead them round with favourite piggy treats (tomatoes, peaches and Jaffa cakes!) and stay 'till the deed is done. I needn't look, just be there!!!
If I can't do this then I have vowed to become a vegan.
Good luck with your girls, Winstonwobble, they look lovely little pigs and will keep you entertained for hours!

[winstonwobble]

Hi kev n sue a bag of pig nuts cost me 6.50 a bag at the mo it last about a week but as they get bigger i will need more i dont make any money on the pigs you can buy from local butcher for about the same as it cost me by the time iv bought 'fed and paid for the slaughter it's just i know they have had a nice life and were happy pigs plus i get the enjoyment of looking after them they can be so funny and love to be petted

[dexterdoglancashire]

what lovely animals! Im a big softie, I couldnt eat them - hence my new chooks for eggs only. Enjoy!

[HayleyB]

We were gonna get pigs but when I worked it out it would cost me more than what my next door neighbour sells me half of one of his 'Happy Pigs' for. It's the buying of the piglets that does for the margin, my farmer friend/neighbour breeds his but I don't want the hassle of breeding. I've got half of Boris and Sheila's offspring coming in November

[Hilary B]

11 weeks old all for eating will hopefully be ready for xmas dinner they will be about 22 weeks then never had old spots before had saddlebacks last year but found them to be a bit fatty nice flavour though dib;dab and spot very original names !!

Loads of spots! Unless you keep up the protein content of the diet they WILL produce fatty meat (but with a good flavour). If you want a traditional breed with good flavour and not so much fat, I would recommend Tamworths, but they are not quite as placid (tame, friendly, but not placid). We kept Tammies for a few years. Loads of character (which is great, BUT!, and not just because you tend to get fond of them).

[bobleponge]

Would be interested to know how much a piglet goes for in the UK? Its anything between 35-60 euro in my part of France (depending on how well you know the supplier).