Graham has arrived

Stonehead · Sun Oct 29, 2006 10:15 pm

We finally have a pedigree Berkshire boar. More details tomorrow as it was a 13-hour 20-minute round trip to collect him and I drove the whole way as the OH doesn't like driving the Defender with trailer behind.

The boar has been dubbed Graham, is an amiable, easy going fellow and came from an organic farm in the Scottish Borders.

And I'm now staggering to bed.

shiney · Post: # 38822Post **shiney** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 8:50 am

Well done on collecting Graham. I hope he settles in nicely.

Sounds like a 'pig' of journey for you tho'!

Shirley · Post: # 38827Post **Shirley** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 9:04 am

Phew that's a long old way...

Looking forward to the pics

red · Post: # 38842Post **red** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 12:17 pm

oo looking forward to the pics

I have found a local Berkshire breeder - on your advice.... all we need to do is sort out fencing etc... 'all' hahaha
they even do 'pig care' courses. for a fee ....

Stonehead · Mon Oct 30, 2006 12:21 pm

red wrote:oo looking forward to the pics

I have found a local Berkshire breeder - on your advice.... all we need to do is sort out fencing etc... 'all' hahaha
they even do 'pig care' courses. for a fee ....

Excellent. But do make sure you go and see the pigs first. Make sure they suit you and vice versa.

The people we bought Graham from have similar attitudes to animal husbandry and welfare as we do, were more than happy for me to take a lot of time looking at Graham and being in with him, and then showed us all their other Berkshires so we could get an idea of what they've been breeding and why.

Good luck and I hope you like them as much as we do.

Stonehead · Mon Oct 30, 2006 12:28 pm

red wrote:oo looking forward to the pics

Only one so far and it's still on the camera - the batteries are flat again.

shiney · Post: # 38846Post **shiney** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 12:45 pm

How can you tell if a pig is for you then? I know that sounds like a daft question.

Stonehead · Post: # 38876Post **Stonehead** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 5:44 pm

shiney wrote:How can you tell if a pig is for you then? I know that sounds like a daft question.

Have a look at descriptions of the different pig breeds - like dogs, cats etc, they all have different temperaments, characteristics etc.

Then go out and look at the pigs on the ground and, if you can, get in amongst them. Watch them as they feed, as they play, as they chill out.

You'll quickly decide which pigs are for you and which aren't. Or even if pigs aren't for you.

Berkshires are often described as placid and docile - they're not (ours dance and prance like heffalumps), but they are amiable, easy going, easily kept in by electric fences, and are, well, cheeky and loveable. IMO!

Saddlebacks are definitely placid and docile, but also amiable and nice. However, while I'd keep Saddlebacks again they didn't have the cheeky character that I like about the Berkshires.

Tamworths are definite characters and very hard work. I like them a lot, but they can be a bit wearing as you're constantly trying to stay one step ahead of them.

Middle Whites are a bit like Berkshires, but I think they're ugly and I prefer my pigs pretty!

Obviously individual pigs have their own characters, but you can detect common traits and behaviours fairly readily.

Stonehead · Post: # 38878Post **Stonehead** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 5:47 pm

And here's Graham...

He's 14 months old and should double in size again by the time he's full grown.

Graham's definitely a loafer - I gave him some sliced apples today but they fell just in front of his snout. Would he get up to get them? No way. After much streteching and pawing, he managed to pull the bits close enough to eat and then went back to sleep.

I hope he's more lively with the girls!

shiney · Post: # 38880Post **shiney** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 5:49 pm

Stonehead wrote:
shiney wrote:How can you tell if a pig is for you then? I know that sounds like a daft question.

Berkshires are often described as placid and docile - they're not (ours dance and prance like heffalumps), but they are amiable, easy going, easily kept in by electric fences, and are, well, cheeky and loveable. IMO!

I was born in Berkshire, that pretty much describes me.

Thanks for the info Stoney, I know nothing about pigs. (well I do now)

Stonehead · Post: # 38882Post **Stonehead** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 5:52 pm

shiney wrote:
Berkshires are often described as placid and docile - they're not (ours dance and prance like heffalumps), but they are amiable, easy going, easily kept in by electric fences, and are, well, cheeky and loveable. IMO!

I was born in Berkshire, that pretty much describes me.

I won't put more because the OH reads this!

PurpleDragon · Mon Oct 30, 2006 6:07 pm

Nice pig :)

Have you decided what you are going to do with the other boar just yet?

Stonehead · Post: # 38890Post **Stonehead** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 6:11 pm

PurpleDragon wrote:Nice pig :)

Have you decided what you are going to do with the other boar just yet?

Ginger stays for another month or so while we see if Graham can "do the business". If Graham is up to the job, then Ginger will have to go as we can't afford two boars.

I'll try to find someone who wants to breed from Ginger as he's a very nice natured pig - and especially by Tamworth standards. Otherwise, he'll have to go for sausages and bacon if I can find a butcher prepared to take him on.

As meat, he's worth Ã‚Â£250 plus, which would be very useful. But I'd happily sell him for less than half that if I can find someone who wants him a stud boar.

Anyway, must dash as the beeper is going - which means the roast pork for dinner is ready!

PurpleDragon · Mon Oct 30, 2006 6:36 pm

I thought Graham was an adolescent - how old are they when they are ready for breeding? I'm interested in ages for both boars and sows.

Stonehead · Post: # 38915Post **Stonehead** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 8:23 pm

Stonehead wrote:Anyway, must dash as the beeper is going - which means the roast pork for dinner is ready!

The joys of keeping pigs - we've just had roast pork (rubbed with salt, pepper and sage), gravy (deglazed the pan with home-brewed stout, then slightly thickened), roast potatoes, carrots and peas. If only the cider hadn't had to wait until December to condition...

Graham - you'd better get to work. We need more pork!