Sheep or Pigs?

[dmwcarol]

We're doing ok with the growing veg and keeping chickens for eggs, and I've bagged a few rabbits for the pot. Now I'm hoping that next year we can expand to a couple of larger animals for meat. We've got about an acre of currently unused land - is that likely to be enough?

I like the idea of sheep as I do spinning and knitting and rather fancy the idea of collecting my own wool as well as having the home reared meat, but I've been told pigs are a lot easier to look after and I'd be better off starting with those - is that right?

Can anyone point me in the right direction for how to get started? Are there particular regulations I need to follow?

Thanks muchly

Carol

[contadino]

Hi Carol,

I can't tell you about regulations I'm afraid, but my advice would be to opt for pigs. Kune kune's to be precise.

However, you need to get a slightly less biased view and consider your situation (how much time do you have, how do you want to manage your land, what are your favourite uses for meat, etc..) Good sources of information in order to make the decision are probably John Seymours self-sufficiency books, or HFW's River Cottage Cookbook. They have sections on the basics of husbandry and each animals requirements, as well as how to deal with the product.

Keep us informed.

[red]

i think on a acre of grazing, you could do sheep - it will be tight to have enough grass in the winter, but you can supplement it.

we have had sheep for 3 years and this year was our first go at fattening weaners. Pigs are definitely far easier - but also much more expensive to raise. Pigs are lots of fun, but actually so are sheep, and safer with little kids. you wont have room for a ram, so if you get sheep you will need them to visit a ram, or borrow one if you want lambs.

capital costs (ie land) aside, sheep have to be a lot lot cheaper.. we raise ours almost entirely on grass - but they are more work, and more likely to peg it.. but as you say, you get the side line of wool. You cant make any money on the wool.. unless you are spinner etc. and you are. personally i just enjoy making things out of our own wool

In both cases you will need a CPH number before you can keep livestock - if you phone defra they will give your your local contact number. you will also need a herd number (for either sheep or pigs). you have to keep records, and fill out movement forms. you will be given all of the info by defra and co, and there are online leaflets you can read too. The movement restrictions are stricter for pigs then sheep as pigs ar better at picking up swine fever and F&M. none of this is difficult.
You will need to establish where your nearest abattoir is and whether they do pigs - not all do, and if you have to travel further than.. ack i cant remember the limit..40 miles? .. then you need to get a special licence which involves taking a course and passing an exam...


I would do pigs first if you have a choice. we went for sheep first as we really needed something to graze the fields and wanted to be able to enjoy them without being chewed by the inhabitants!, but pigs are much easier.. and when you take delivery of 150k of outdoor reared rare breed pork... oh my....

[ShaunP]

I sent my first lambs to slaughter this year and was very surprised how little came back!!!

I am told that if you want to bred for meat.... Go for pigs. You can eat everything apart from the oink!!!

[frozenthunderbolt]

Go for pigs. Eat anything, need less room and wont try and kill themselves at every opportunity - the only thing that sheep are truly good at

[jampot]

i have to agree there pigs are great but sheep will wait till you turn around then just die!

[Thurston Garden]

I refused lambs every year. An old shepherd once told me that a sheep's sole purpose in life was to die before you wanted it to....

Pigs every time for me! I miss mine now

[Gert]

It's very true that sheep do try and die whenever they get a chance. But as a Sheep Keeper myself I have to say you get bloomin cold trying to wear a pigs wool jumper

The only piece of advice I would offer up before you start, is to get your holding number sorted out first. It's the CPH number Red mentioned.

Best of luck

[red]

It's very true that sheep do try and die whenever they get a chance. But as a Sheep Keeper myself I have to say you get bloomin cold trying to wear a pigs wool jumper

funny enough that was what I was going to say! and smellier wear too.

depends if you want meat or wool most.