Graham has arrived

red · Post: # 38919Post **red** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 8:45 pm

Stonehead wrote:
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.

yeh I will. I have so little experience of pigs that its yet to become clear if i like them at all. but as you say I can go mingle.. maybe do this course thingy as its hands on, see how I feel. but first the sheep.. and before that... the fencing... I think we shall get Devon Closewools - as there are traditional, and suited to the weather and terrain. but agian.. need to find out more.

red · Post: # 38920Post **red** » Mon Oct 30, 2006 8:51 pm

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

it seems daft - but I feel you have to like the look of an animal - as a starting point. Afterall if you dislike it before you start... its not a good start!

Stonehead · Post: # 39499Post **Stonehead** » Sat Nov 04, 2006 3:14 pm

Photos of our Berkshires...

Old meets new

Meet Graham

More of Graham

First snow

Graham meet Delilah and Doris

Oldest pics which some will have seen first, today's photos last.

red · Post: # 39566Post **red** » Sat Nov 04, 2006 8:54 pm

cool.

what was you reason for getting Graham and deciding to get rid of the old boar?

2steps · Post: # 39573Post **2steps** » Sat Nov 04, 2006 9:20 pm

great pics. where you live looks lovely stonehead

Stonehead · Sat Nov 04, 2006 10:13 pm

red wrote:cool.

what was you reason for getting Graham and deciding to get rid of the old boar?

Ginger, the Tamworth boar, was always a stopgap. We want to focus on pedigree Berkshires but had four boars fall through before we got Graham.

As our Berkshire gilts were hitting breeding age, we needed them in pig to start recovering our costs and also because gilts lose fertility if not bred fater about 12-14 months (especially if they go to fat).

So we bought Ginger (who was already proven and we also have some of his Tamworth offspring) and he got his first gilt (Delilah) in pig without a problem. However, Dolores has not been so keen to succumb to his charms and doesn't appear to be in pig yet.

Once we move Ginger on in a few weeks, we'll move Dolores in with Graham and Doris while Delilah goes off to farrow her first litter.

Hope that all makes sense!