Rearing Pigs Course

We regularly open our smallholding farm doors to others who are interested in rearing their own pork, and share what we have learned in a three hour informal 'course'. A couple of weeks ago we hosted one of these courses. This involves chewing the cud as we visit the pigs and their enclosure, then talking through a handout over tea and biscuits back at the kitchen table. We like to have our open days for only one or two people at a time, so that we can have a one to one and very informal exchange of knowledge, giving you our full attention.

When we first embarked on pig keeping we spent hours, days, even months trying to find out the essentials such as where to buy a weaner, how to find a reputable breeder, deciphering Irish legislation, finding where to source GM free or organic feeds, tentatively finding  and approaching an abbatoir and a butcher, and researching and experimenting with how to process a carcass into sausages, and make cured hams.

There were also all the unknowns and decisions to be made about the methods of fencing, which drinkers to use and housing requirements. We got there eventually but it was such a long and laboured route into a world of livestock and agriculture where we had no previous experience. We found it a huge challenge to pin down all of  these nuggets of knowledge and decided there may well be people out there who would be interested in getting all that research and information at their fingertips, compacted into a three hour course ... and very importantly, come face to face with a pig which will leave you longing to acquire some of these glorious characters for yourself!

Dan and I were delighted with how our first pig open day went, and were thrilled to get feedback from our first attendant, Mairtin ;
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Hello Dan and Becky,

                                 Thanks for an enjoyable morning last Sat.   It was nice to see the pigs in such a natural environment and see the kind of housing needed. The handout was very useful as it contained info. not found in guide books, the various legalities, where to buy weaners and foods, along with lots of other important info. telephone numbers, websites, and this was particularly good for people unable or not having the time to do research themselves. All in all, a very good introduction to pig keeping.

                                    The atmosphere was friendly, open and helpful with two lovely small girls keeping things nicely informal! Keeping a few pigs was an idea that occurred to me having read a few guide books but I certainly feel much more confident after Sat. morning. No doubt if your processing goes well and you start breeding you'll be giving week long courses!

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If you are interested in visiting us to learn about everything porcine you require to get started rearing your own pigs for meat, please email us  or phone 071 9632212, and we will arrange a day for you to visit. The three hour course costs €40 for an individual, or €60 for a couple or two friends, which includes tea and biscuits, and plenty of handouts with lots of useful information distilled into one place. If you are interested, you can also have a tour of our polytunnel, goats, biofuel willow coppice and chickens.

If pigs are not your thing we do the same open days for goat keeping, and hopefully next year we will add an introductory course to beekeeping. Click on Courses & Workshops for more information.

Comments

[http//:eloiseohare.blogspot.com]

Is it true Pigs cannot swim?

[Mel Rimmer]

Where exactly are you? I'll probably be visiting Limerick in August, and I'd quite like to sign up for a course if you're within reach.

[Cherry Menlove]

Hi Rebecca
I was wondering if you had picked up my email about the green felt bowl?
Love Cherry xx

[Joe Blake]

I really love your ideas and website. I am interested in rearing pigs in Africa nad will be very much enthused if you be my icon. I think you will be of enormous help. I actually need to know how to start it. Please get in touch on the above email or call me on 07931898735. Thank you very much

[Douglas]

Kindly send me information on Pig for meat rearing and housing in Kenya.

Thank you!

[Deirdre Tuomey]

Very interested in Keeping pigs, have chickens and would love to attend courses on same at your farm.
Are you still giving pig rearing couses and chicken keeping courses.
Wher nearby can i find accommodation if so. Would love to make a getaway trip to include it all. Deirdre 0861706530