Best breed of pig?

[Diamond Wire Farms]

Some KuneKunes don't root and some do. The same is true for American Guinea Hogs. Compared to most other breeds of pigs, Kune and AGH rooting is more like a shallow rotatilling. If the ground is moist and there is something good to eat there, all pigs will root eventually. They will also make a wallow in the summer if they can find any damp spot. It is best to create your own in an acceptable location to avoid their choice being the centerpiece of your pasture.

 

[quiltnchik]

So far the only rooting my Guinea Hogs have done is after weeds in the pasture, which were killing my grass of anyway. They're not known to do nearly as much damage to pastures as the larger hogs, because they don't root as much and prefer to graze. I love my AGH pair and am seriously considering the purchase of another gilt soon. Of course I have my 2 feeder piglets coming next weekend, but they're both barrows. They'll start out penned, but once they get some size on them (enough so that they can't get through the fencing), they'll be pastured with the others.

 

[zimmerman]

Thanks, it sounds like guinea hogs are the way to go for small grazing pigs if you don't wanna shell out the $$ for Kunekune's. How much do you feed your guinea hogs when they can't get out to graze/root?

 

[Open Sky Farm]

We've been pleased with our Guinea Hogs. I had three boars in a 16'x16' pen this summer and moved it everyday through grass. They did great and rarely rooted. If they rooted it was my own fault for not moving them fast enough (I tried different scenarios of adding more panels and waiting to move them). I provided them with shade and a plastic kiddy pool to keep cool.

On the other hand, a local "Niche Pork" producer said he didn't like them. Too small and too much fat. I think they make a great homestead hog though.

The green is the resulting path (a while afterwards) from moving their pen.

 

[Open Sky Farm]

Thanks, it sounds like guinea hogs are the way to go for small grazing pigs if you don't wanna shell out the $$ for Kunekune's. How much do you feed your guinea hogs when they can't get out to graze/root?

I thought I read somewhere that 2 lbs a day was a good average. Depending on the size you get, you can start from there and adjust accordingly. They can become overweight pretty easily on feed but it's that ease of putting on weight that makes them such a great breed.

 

[zimmerman]

Thanks, that is very informative and helpful - they look so pleased in the kiddie pool

 

[firstimehogger]

I have my very first hog, an AGH barrow, he's in and out of the house as he's still under 15 pounds. Can't bear the thought of eating him now. He's become a pet. I'd love to have a breeding pair and have been scouting around to find some breeders near me that have hogs that are NOT related.
Seems Scott Wall has the originals around here, with Diana Pritchard having some of his, and Kathleen Kroll and Daron having some of hers and so on.
Anybody have a clue how much it matters to get close relation out of your pedigree??

 

[Cornish Heritage]

Anybody have a clue how much it matters to get close relation out of your pedigree??

If you are just breeding for meat then how close you breed really doesn't make that much difference. If you are wanting to raise quality breeding stock then you need to do your research & purchase quality stock. Chances are there will be some level to inbreeding as I think the AGH are rare. You want to breed the good genetics & so some linebreeding actually helps to improve the breed.

Liz

 

[wava1vaughn]

Hi from Ga. We raise for meat but like to keep good quality stock.

This our latest Petunia.

 

[firstimehogger]

Your Petunia is a little doll.