Ok I had two durocs which ere great big pigs both where very sweet my boar I could easily handle same with the sow. My husband didn't want me handling them while pregnant so we sold them since I am the farmer and he works outside of home. We have two kids right now so and this one going be the third. I am looking for a breed for meat that grazes/forages. I also would like it to be under 200 pounds at max weight. I would also like a friendly breed I can already say my kids love pigs they both loved petting them and feeding them. So yeah I been doing alot of research so far I come up with the American guinea hog, and the kunu pig.
The Kunekune (kooneykooney) is an uncommon pig breed from New Zealand kept by the Maoris, I believe the name means "fat & round." Meat is delicious, the breed is docile, pretty, some have tassels or pire pires, some don't. Kunekunes are serious meat production pigs that are personable & affectionate herd animals (you need at minimum TWO Kunekunes for them to be truly content), good with families (love a good scratch), love a mud wallow in summer (kiddy pool?), some are hairier than others (some have short silky hair, others have long coarse curls) & they shed off excess hair for summers, a true grazing pig, cup of grain like oats and some good quality alfalfa hay in winter when there is no pasture...some feed them a pig pellet meant for pot bellies. They like veg and pumpkins and such. I have been ballparked that half an acre pasture land fenced in range panels is adequate for two Kunekunes. I live in Central Alberta, so all beasts and birds here MUST be temperature extreme tolerant which means my Kunekunes need a nice barn full of oat straw to snuggle together in. If I farrow in early spring, safe & secure heat lamps will be a must for the litter to survive in our -40C weather bouts.
I am planning on getting some Kunekunes when my two geriatric Jacob ewes (2003 & 2005) finally pass on and free up one of my barn areas. I wanted them because "I" have visions of the pigs and my Dorpers sharing pasture...not living together mind you, there are plenty of species specific BARNS for night time and feeding, separate mineral/salt locations, but I do want my sheep & porkers to be able to graze together, should I want that. See how it goes. I mean quite frankly, I don't house my stock dogs with my sheep but they get along fabulously.
Depends on the person, depends on the lines, depends on how plentiful your pasture is, depends on far too many obvious situations to say with any firm conviction, Kunekunes will always get along with sheep. I have no affinity for goats, dislike them immensely as they use to bully my Jacobs and literally push the old ones around and had goat daughters bully and beat up their own mothers--I have zero tolerance regarding those behaviours. So for me, can't answer any questions regarding compatibility for goats and other creatures because mine were horrid, as said, even with their own mothers and siblings. I am not a goat person.
Unreal conduct with my sheep and dogs--Jacob wether as interested in kissing the dogs as the dogs are with kissing them. All my sheep love kissing and getting kisses from our Australian Cattle Dogs. Had seven ACDs and near 30 sheep and always kindness, yet when needed to herd, sheep obey the dogs and it is heavenly here. When the lion lays down with the lambs, eh! :-D
NO hands on from me but these three photos intrigued me to want to give keeping Kunekunes a good go!!
NOTE, the cattle are separated from the sheep and pigs...but the boars (which are breeding boars) and in with the ewes. This image looks wonderful!
I have Black headed Dorper sheep, these are the white Dorpers.
The interactions are quite obvious...the ewes are quite fine with breeding boars, adult ewes AND piglets.
Would the ewes allow pigs of any kind near their lambs, likely not. Depends on the situation. But for me, Kunekunes are going to be THE pig breed I start pigs with, for meat, for entertainment, for the love of just having some personable pigs.
There are I believe two registries for Kunekunes in the States...here is a link to one of them. I am just getting my trotters wet on this endeavour but man alive, should be
GOOD!
http://www.americankunekunepigsociety.com/
Here's a society located in New Zealand...country of origin.
http://kunekune.co.nz/
I am not endorsing this person but a rather nice take on their part regarding these wonderful piggies!
http://www.virginiakunekunes.com/aboutkunekunes.htm
Have fun, let us know what breed of pigs you do decide on. We are all always learning.
Hugs,
Tara
Higgins Rat Ranch Conservation Farm
