pig course
2 March 2008 by colouritgreen
we went on our pig course today, organised through our local smallholders association. Good day.
I now know that we can definitely use some of our old intensive pig keeping set up (piggery, boar pen etc), that I like pigs, that they are not as smelly as everyone would have you believe, and they seem relatively easy to keep.
If we do decide to venture into pig keeping (and it seems likely at some point), then the place to start would be raising weeners. I’m not convinced at all that it is financially viable.. but that’s not the whole reason to go into it.. it is partly for the experience, partly for the choice of breed and hopefully tastier meat, and mostly because the animals would be raised the way we are happy with. However, as this is not entirely clear, the best way to find out is to do it, keep accounts, and find out how the sums work out afterwards.
My parents kindly looked after our son for the day, which is Mother’s day - I told my mum that her present was a grandson for the day! - (I also gave her some welsh cakes.)
We had a tea with them, and my gran too, so three generations of mothers all together to celebrate the day, with a nice spread of food, including my Dad’s homemade cheesecake.
so pigged out in more ways than one.
Hi CIG -
we’ve kept weaners for the last couple of years, & have found it very rewarding; pigs are so intelligent & fun to be around. And ensuring they have the very best quality of life before they go off…..well, happy pigs certainly seem to produce ‘happy’ pork - delicious: the best chops, joints, sausages & bacon we’ve ever tasted.
Like you say though, the economics don’t necessarily make it a ‘cheap’ option; but the ethics & the quality of the ultimate produce, certainly do!
we are definitely sold on the idea. Just needed me to see how I felt about them - I believe it helps a lot if you can like the animals you work with. I feel fine about them.
so nwo we just have to clear the area we want to keep them in..