Introduction:
If you are thinking about buying a kunekune pig then J, K, L, M farming is the place to start. Before purchasing a kune kune pig there is plenty of knowledge you need to know. Can you provide a safe, secure and stimulating outdoor environment, they need plenty of space and companionship as these types of pigs tend to get lonely on their own. Kunekune pigs can be easy to keep but they do still need daily care, does that fit in with your lifestyle? Kunekune pigs will graze on grass throughout the day and providing you have enough of it, they don’t really need anything else in the summer and in the winter, they can eat hay. Domestic pigs are naturally omnivores, but most kunekune pigs raised on captivity are herbivores. Kunekunes can eat a wide variety of vegetation, including eat grass, hay, grains, romaine lettuce and vegetables like tomatoes. Unlike other pigs, kunekunes do not specifically eat by foraging and can live exclusively on well-maintained pasture grass. Their short snouts make them great at grazing. if you have decided that kunekune pigs are the correct choice for you, the next consideration will be you reasoning for keeping them. Are you looking for a companion pig, or pigs for breading or are you a small holder hoping to raise them for meat. Make sure you have thought all of this through before purchasing a kunekune pig.
How they act as a pet- Kunekune pigs are very docile and sweet, which makes them a great pet for first-time pig owners. They thrive on human interaction (including children) and will love spending time with their owners throughout the day relaxing and playing. Kunekune pigs are a domesticated species and are very social animals. In addition to forming complex social relationships with other pigs, kunekunes are accustomed to human companionship and are usually quite friendly toward humans. These pigs are known for being intelligent, playful and affectionate. Kunekune pigs are a domesticated species and are very social animals. The Kunekune pig, originally kept by Marois in New Zealand, are friendly hairy pigs born in various colours. It is the smallest domesticated breed of pig globally, a firm favourite among pet pig owners due to its calm, friendly nature and love of human company. Small-scale pig breeders enjoy its ease of management and ability to thrive on grass. The Kunekune pigs are incredibly intelligent and will pick up any attempts at training very quickly. That being said, this high level of intelligence means your pig will become bored (and potentially destructive) when it doesn’t have enough activities and social interaction.
Appearance- Hair colours include black, brown, ginger, gold, cream, and spotted combinations. It has a medium to short, slightly upturned snout, often black, and either semi lopped or pricked ears. It has a short, round body with short legs and may have two wattles (called Piri Piri) under its chin. The Kunekune stands about 60 cm (24 in) tall. An adult Kunekune can weigh between 60 and 200 kg (130 and 440 lb), males being considerably heavier than females. Is it recommended that the kunekune pigs have up to an acre for up to 4-6 pigs, however it may be beneficial to look up diving your land to allow for pasture rotation and the introduction of hard standing areas and shelters on the land to help prolong the grazing available. The pork that they produce is a succulent red marbled meat, locked in a layer of fat around it keeping it juicy and locking in the flavor. Sure, they are slower to mature, but if you’re raising pigs for meat, their pork is so worth the wait. From bacon to BBQ, feeding your family from the KuneKune pigs that you raise yourself gives you a great sense of pride.
How to take care of kunekune pigs- you should never give your pigs anything that has been through the kitchen although they can eat fruit and vegetables from your garden, they must drink plenty of water all the time especially during warm weather. They will also need shade and a “wallow” pool of water/wet mud to wallow in for cooling off. They will need to be wormed every 6 months by giving an injection, you can do it yourself. Provided you don’t take them anywhere, they don’t need vacations. Kunekune pigs aren’t known for any special health issues other than the tendency to become overweight if their diet isn’t carefully managed and controlled. They can get along with other animals as long as a suitable introduction happens, they also love to have a fuss made about them, and they will lie for hours while you rub their tummies. Kunekune pigs are known for being rather strong and will tip their buckets and water troughs over unless they are firmly fixed in place, we would suggest a plastic water trough half-filled with big rocks. Once they drink it down, once a week or so take the rocks out, rinse them and refill.