Pigs
On our outdoor unit we presently have 13 sows mainly Saddleback and Large white with 1 Large White boar. We try to keep a simple system and aim to farrow 2 sows each month. Each sow should therefore have at least 2 litters per year and on average we hope for 8-10 piglets in each litter.
We have recently purchased an award winning Duroc in pig-gilt. Her Large White offspring will be used as replacements for our herd.
The sows are fed between 2 and 5kg each day of Mole Valley Feed Solutions sow rolls, depending on their stage of lactation. The rolls are wheat and soya based (3.5% oil, 7% fibre with 16% protein).
Weaned and growing pigs are kept in sheds at Stinsford yard; in recent times a larger proportion of animals have been sold to local rearers as weaners, the rest are fed ad- lib grower pellets (3.5% oil, 6% fibre, 19% protein), until they reach a target weight of between 80 to 90kg (60 to 70kg dwt) at about 25 weeks of age.
Our pork is increasingly being used for cutting courses at the college and sold through Maurward Meats, local butchers and private hog roasts.
Number of pigs September 2011
| Boar | Sows | Fattening Pigs 50kg | Fat Pigs 70-90kg | Piglets 0-8wks |
| 1 | 13 | 7 | 0 | 27 |
