Any one got pigs?

[Nicos]

We're thinking of getting 3 and keeping them on a friend's land who have decidous woods with a meadow with a stream running through it.

Any advice please?...I'm doing loads and loads of research!!!!!

[Aberdeenplotter]

Sounds like pig heaven to me. Not sure how tightly controlled it is in France but I was told that Defra would not allow us to keep pigs on our plots even although we are lawfully entitled to have a pig sty.

[donnakebab]

What was their excuse? Defra that is.

[Alison]

Who told you that AP? Doesn't seem right to me if you provide the right conditions and register as the law requires.

This might be useful - Keeping pigs: a beginner's guide : Directgov - Environment and greener living

[mothhawk]

Are you going to keep them for meat?

[binley100]

Defra my say yes but local council rules may say otherwise ........There used to be pigsties on some of our plots but rules have changed ....

[Nicos]

Good one Alison!

I do need to find out the UK requirements- and WHY...then try and adapt that high standard over here ( with a few tweeks!

AP- on our previous plot ( council owned) ...back in the mid 90's- one guy had about 4 pigs on his allotment. I think different councils have their own rules on that.

[Nicos]

Are you going to keep them for meat?

Yup.
weeners through to about 6/7 months. Totally free within an area 200m x100m- which can be moved on after 3 months to a parallel piece of woodland/meadow/stream.

Thinking of Gloucester Old Spots or Tamworths at the moment.

[mothhawk]

Tammies are lovely and they have a really thick coat so don't need as much shelter as some other breeds. It's very easy to get attached to pigs, though. They are so iintelligent. They'll probably plough up the meadow though - powerful thing is a pig's snout!

[binley100]

You could hire them out as a rotivator......

[VirginVegGrower]

No, but do I want some? Yes! I need the field at the back. Would love goats too.

[Florence Fennel]

I envy you Nicos, lovely creatures pigs

[binley100]

I have a dog who thinks he's a pig...........

[di]

We inquired a few years ago, along with another plotholder, as to whether we could get some...both for meat and quick plot clearance. The answer was no, because of the risk of them escaping and wrecking other plots, understandable and I was quite pleased.

Hope it works out for you Nicos. x

[mudpies]

We had a couple of berkshires a few years ago. Great fun, but incredible escape artists. Am looking at getting some more soon and will go for Oxford Sandy and Blacks. A friend has some- lovely natured and tasty meat. I love keeping pigs, but they trash land - they will love woodland, lucky you, but for some reason I can't quite remember I think it is best for you to provide the water source, not the stream.