Sallygarden Smallholding - The Forum For Sustainable Living

Love the site and the honest replys.
We have a half an acre. So far we have a polytunnel, a veg patch and five hens on it.
This year we are looking at having our own pigs.
Some questions?? what do we need from the Dept of Agri.
How difficult are pigs to rare.
As my wife and I both work is it possible to have these animals.
Again love the website.

Welcome

As long as there's a sturdy fence and/or mains electric fencing you should be ok. I'd wait until you had a few days off work when your pigs arrive in case you've any teething problems with the fencing! It would be tragic if they got into your veg patch or polytunnel.

We sell a pig rearing ebooklet for E9 and will be running on site pig courses here again from April. See www.sallygardens.typepad.com

Any other piggy questions post them under the pig section and we'll all do our best to answer them.

Hi,
Just wondered if you had bought your polytunnel locally? if so where? looking around for one myself and trying to find best deal..thanks a million, sue

Klanlelly.
I bought my tunnell from a company in Wexford. It was advertised in the Buy & Sell and they deliver as well.I got the heavy gauge plastic as it will last longer and is more durable.
hope everything works out.

hello mcnamara,

Is'nt it amazing what you can get on half an acre!! We keep chickens, ducks and pigs on just over 1 acre. Are you looking to keep pigs as pets or for the freezer? we keep a selection of both but either way you will need a herd number from the dept. If you contact your local Dept. of Agriculture and let them know what you plan to do they should send someone out to inspect your site and answer any questions you may have, if everything is fine they will send you out a herd no. and you will then be in a position to buy your piggies, it is a legal requirment to have the herd number before you buy the pigs.

We have found the pigs great fun to have around the place and are very undemanding, their main priority is food,food and food. your main priority is do not over feed your pig!!

Let me know if you want info. on rare breeds as that is our speciality.

Good luck
Morag