Things you
should know:
1.You must purchase a minimum of two
pigs, they are herd animals and it would be very cruel to keep one on its own.
2.For two weaners you would need a securely fenced paddock; a minimum of approximately 10m x 20m with a draught free hut (8 feet x 4 feet) for them to get out of the cold wind and rain, well bedded up with straw. This would be adequate to raise them until 6 -7 months when they go for slaughter. The minimum amount they need is the largest area you can give them, but the smaller the area the more 'rest' the land will need between raising weaners and the higher the risk of infections for your pigs.
Ideally the area would be fenced with wire livestock fencing however 3 lines (close together) of strong electric fencing is also suitable and we will enclose information on how to train them to electric should you purchase your weaners from us.
Adults would need a considerably
larger area approximately 3-4 sows maximum
per acre.
3.Pigs need constant access to clean drinking water, so you will need a sturdy
trough.It is illegal to feed pigs with
waste food from your kitchen, including vegetable scraps.
4.Whether you intend to keep one pig or
several, you will need certain licences and documents.You will need a county parish holding (CPH) number. This is an identification
number for the land and buildings where your pigs will be kept. To apply for a
CPH number, contact the Rural Payments Agency on 0845 603 7777.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apply-for-a-county-parish-holding-cph-number
5.Choose your breed; there are two main types traditional and modern. Visit the British Pig Association (BPA) for information on each breed before
deciding which would be the best breed for you.
Rare breeds come in various sizes and colours, and are able to live outdoors
in all weathers.
Modern breeds are mostly used for intensive pork farming, because they
mature quickly and produce large litters. They usually have pink skin and white
coats.
Choosing a rare breed of pig will help to protect that breed from becoming
extinct in the UK. Pig breeders agree that traditional breeds also produce
tastier meat.
6.In order to move a pig you will need
a license.You will need to register with BPEX (British Pig
Executive), www.eaml2.org.uk as all movements are now registered on line.
7.Before moving your pigs the supplier you are purchasing from will need your; name, address, postcode, CPH no, vehicle registration number, the date and time you wish to collect them and the approximate length of time the journey will take. They will provide you with an eAML2 transport form. You must keep all records relating to pig keeping - including registration, identification and movement - for a period of six years.
8.When the pigs have arrived on your
land, the law says you cannot move any pigs, even those already there, for 20 days.
If you already have cows, sheep or goats on your land, you must not move them
anywhere for six days after your new pigs arrive. This helps prevent diseases
spreading.
9. Contact https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/animal-and-plant-health-agency
to register the fact that you are keeping pigs - within 30 days of them
arriving on your holding for the first time. You will be provided with a
unique flock or herd mark. It will be shown on official ear tags used
to identify your animals. It is stored on the national database which
records livestock movements. The herd mark will be one or two letters
followed by a four-digit number, e.g. A1234 or AB1234. The herd mark is a quick
and effective way of identifying the premises that pigs have moved from.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/register-livestock-to-get-a-flock-or-herd-mark
10. Pig identification and traceability are central to disease control. This is why all of your pigs must be marked with your unique herd mark. All pigs over one year old must have permanent identification such as a tattoo or ear tag with your herd mark on. Also, pigs of any age must have an identification mark or tag if you intend to take them to a market, slaughterhouse or another holding.
Before they are moved off your holding, pigs must also have the herd mark applied by one of the following means:
slapmark - a permanent ink mark of your herd mark, applied to each front shoulder area of the pig
eartag - stamped or printed, not handwritten, containing the letters UK followed by your herd mark
tattoo - of your herd mark on the ear of the pig, including the use of compressed air to drive tattooing pins into the skin of pigs provided the tattoo is easy to read
temporary paint mark, eg a red line, black cross or blue circle, which must last until the pig reaches its destination (pigs under 1 year moving from farm to farm)