She wintered at Providence Cottage Farm with a pen full of barrows, and had her fill of hay and spelt. The Amazing Grazing Pigs for Small-Scale Farming Operations. How come they are not breeding? It is less expensive than hog panels and pretty straightforward to set up. Although she loved her pot-bellied pig, she says this "Buster, my second pig, is a Kune Kune. Can KuneKunes Live Alone? What Kunekune pig owners have to say. Especially if you are interested in getting a Kunekune pig yourself, continue reading to find out all that you will need to know about them. Kunekunes require 1/7 to 1/4 the amount of grain of standard pigs, but they do still need some grain in combination with their grazing to make sure their diet is complete. Nothing is as accurate as visually seeing the breeding occur, thus a point to be made for hand breeding, which means placing the female in standing heat together with the male, witnessing the breeding and returning the them to their separate pens. They are very gentle, curious pigs and are ideally suited to the new pig keeper who may be intimidated by larger, more boisterous pigs. I have not entirely ended my reliance on feeding grain yet.
From pets, to homesteading, to therapy animals and even as a delicious rival in the pork industry, KuneKunes, which live about 15-20 years, have mass appeal. Can kunes live alone? These are NOT mini pigs. Our Kune Kunes are exceptionally docile in temperament and a joy to have on the farm. Once you have decided to purchase some Kunekune pigs, you will need to decide whether you want to buy an older pig or rear piglets. Each litter farrowed has a dam and a sire. I also typically follow up with a scythe and use the resultant mulch to retain moisture at freshly seeded areas. Durrett agrees the pasture-grazing pigs are incredibly versatile, but for her they have been the perfect animal to give her grandchildren the kind of farm life she remembers so fondly as a girl. It's not a good idea to keep a solitary kunekune alone.
My pig will NOT let me give it an injection, what do I do? I just got my first piglet and he/she is x weeks old! A kunekune sow is pregnant for an average of 116 days, 2 days more than larger breeds. This little gilt is black and cream with no wattles. The complex, grassy flavor of the meat combined with the high ratio of creamy fat makes kunekune pork an excellent medium for home charcuterie. Your pig could be shedding its coat (a normal thing), it might have mites, a zinc deficiency, or even mange. Don't be surprised when your kune sheds its coat when the weather warms up. You should never buy a whole boar unless you are going to start breeding on a larger scale. Can Kunekunes live in my house? Kunekune pigs are believed to have developed their current form in New Zealand, but DNA shows that the actual origin is probably from Asia. They need a very light touch. At the Zoo, we offer the Kunekune pigs a varied diet of Orchard grass and Bermuda hay, browse (clippings from non-toxic plants across the Zoo), produce and grain. We've also had success with feeding bean, sweet potato, and squash vines after harvest.
Kunekune pigs cost around $600 to $1400 plus many additional costs that can be very expensive. A good rule of thumb is again to ask your breeder and then to go by the body condition of your pig. Although the flesh is inherently fattier than a normal pig, KuneKune lard is delicious, and the chops are nicely marbled. Food for Kunekune pigs includes a well-balanced pellet or powder, quality hay or grass, and fresh fruits/vegetables at treats. Nursing sows could require 25-50% feed increase to accommodate feeding her piglets. Most also have one or more chin tassels, called "piri piri, " which are a distinctive trait of the breed. Natural shade like trees and woods is best, but shade cloths work great too.
If you want a whole boar, contact us early with your requirements and we will save a suitable piglet from castration as he is born. Rotational grazing: the best farming practice is to rotationally graze your pigs so they have moved on to new pastures before the parasite eggs hatch. What do I feed my pig? Cost of a bred KuneKune ranges from $800-$1, 600, and an average litter is about eight piglets. These amounts are not law.
Females average 100 to 175 pounds, while males can reach the 200 to 250-plus range. It's not in their best interest, or ultimately in the buyer's interest as stressed pigs tend to eat more, have more health problems, and even act out aggressively. All of our kunekunes are pedigree, from various bloodlines. Is your pig at least 8 weeks old?