Sallygarden Smallholding - The Forum For Sustainable Living

Hi,
I was recently browsing through the internet looking for Organic products in County Leitrim and this site came up.
Its got me thinking of actually starting to farm my own produce(especially pigs and chickens),so I know where my food comes from and exactly what im eating.
Theres lots of questions im asking myself before I take the plunge though;
I feel I may get attached to the animals,thinking of them as more pets than food,so im very concerned how the animals are slaughtered.
Do you find it hard sending animals to slaughter?
Do you go with the animals to the slaughter houses?
Do you trust the slaughter house you use?(Ive heard many contain alot of overworked/underpaid foreign workers.)
Can I kill the chickens myself,if so how?
I have around 1&1/2 acres of land for both pigs and chickens,I want them to have plenty of space roaming free and happy,how many/what type of pigs/chickens would you suggest?
How much is the herd license?
Do I need any other type of permision?
Where to buy pigs/chickens and how much are they?(local to Mohill/Leitrim area a bonus)

Many thanks to all that can help.

Paulx

drop me an email at morganconnell@hotmail.com re pigs

Hello and welcome,

If you contact your local department of agriculture they will guide you through the process of getting your herd number and flock number, it is quite easy and costs nothing.

We have been keeping pigs, chickens and ducks for a few years now and it has been a great learning curve. You are wise to do your research firstly as this can help avoid costly mistakes, in these difficult financial times it is important to be cost effective and pig keeping is no exception.

We keep pigs for pets and for the freezer but their welfare is equal, it is always a bit difficult when you send any animal for slaughter but if you get a good, small slaughter unit and a good butcher that can make things go a lot smoother.

I hope you do take the plunge after doing your homework, it is very rewarding although hard work at times, I know a number of rare pig breeders so if you need any help sourcing a particular breed I'd be happy to help.

Best wishes

Morag

I am grateful for any advice and thankyou for the reply.
I have 2 fields at present,one is just over an acre with dry and various wet areas.The other is just over 1/2 acre,dry and sheltered on a hillside with overgrown wild grass(the one i'd like to use for the pigs).Both fields have sheep wire fencing topped with barbed wire and are surrounded by brambles and woodland.
Is this type of fencing ok,as im not a fan of electric fences?
If pigs escape into the nieghbouring woodland,would they still come back to thier pen/arc at night to sleep?
What breed would you recommend I start with?I have children,so cute and friendly would suit.
Would 1 male and 2 females be ok to start with?

Hi Paul,

I think you would be right to use the grassy field on a slope as you may be limited to its uses otherwise, We do not use electric wire as a rule as our pigs are rotated around a series of paddocks that are surrounded by stock fencing plus a row of barbed wire along the bottom to help deter them rooting around the boundaries, this system suits our needs (as well as the pigs). I know it can be difficult to move pigs on to fresh pasture when using the electric fence method as they get it into their minds that they will be shoked even if the fencing is removed! a pig never forgets!!
However if you are keeping a couple of weaners for the freezer then the electric fence method is grand as you would only be keeping them to slaughter weight and then moving them to the abbatoir, this would keep the costs down considerably.

As for them escaping into your neighbours woodland, I think it would be wise to ensure the fencing is good enough to prevent this from happening in the first place, however if they did get out grab a bucket with some pig nuts and rattle that bucket, its amazing how fast a pig can run home.

Check out on the website of all the breed clubs and they will give you info. on the different breeds or go to the British Pig Associations website, pig Paradise is another great site.

Best wishes
Morag