Sallygarden Smallholding - The Forum For Sustainable Living

I have grown up in Leitrim, currently renting but hoping to move to my new house after christmas which involves moving to Cavan but we all have our crosses

Have been working at planning and energy but work is quite scarce but on the up side it has given me time to think about all the things I would like to try out alongside my new home.

Hoping to keep bees, have a polytunnel, a few hens and would love to keep pigs although I wouldn't be able to rear them to put on the plate so will think about that one, also planning an orchard.

This is a great place to sit and read about other people living sustainably and to get information and advice so I will keep in touch!!!!

Hello Bearkey,

Welcome from Co Westmeath. Good luck with your move to Cavan, I think its great at the planning stages, how much land do you expect to have with the new house? If you need any advice on the pig keeping front get in touch and I can offer my pearls of wisdom - we keep pigs on a small scale as pets and for the freezer they are great fun to have around the place. Just be careful if you are planting a new orchard, don't put the piggies anywhere near as they will trash the trees.

Good luck
Morag

Hello Morag,

I've been looking up the Mangalitza pigs.. they are gorgeous would love some of them.. how much land would you need to have to keep pigs. I have about 3/4 acre with the house but have access to other pieces of land!! Do you have these pigs for sale?? Would they get on ok with dogs around.. an over friendly dog!!!

Welcome Bearkey

An electric fence keeps pigs in and dogs out! Our dogs pays them no attention other than a passing interest.

Keep in touch and post any piggy questions in the Pig section where we will do our best to help you out. I can vouch that Morag's piglets are very cute with their curly hair, I've seen pics.

Hello bearkey,

I,m glad you like the Mangalitza's, we have found them to be a great breed to have around the place. They have a gentle character so can make good "pet pigs", although like any pig they will root up the ground but you can use that to your advantage, why dig, get a pig!!. The sows make great mothers and I know you mentioned that they would be for pets, I am told they make the best parma hams in the world.
I am planning a trip to the U.K. early in the New Year to get some new stock to carry on with the breeding programme here in Ireland so there won't be any piglets until next Summer (I sold the last 2 piglets last Sunday) but I can assure you they would be worth the wait. In the mean time please dont hesitate to get in touch if you would like some more info. on the breed.

Best wishes
Morag