Pigs are becoming popular pets. A term heard a lot on the radio of late is 'micro pig', the fashionable pig!

Pigs were traditionally kept as kitchen composters in rural Ireland, converting kitchen waste to valuable meat. Contrary to popular belief pigs are very clean animals who do not like to wallow in their own muck. This is down to poor animal husbandry and stocking densities. If you have an acre of land with your dwelling and are interested in growing your own organic vegetables keeping pigs makes excellent sense. Pigs will rotivate your vegetable patch and fertilise it prior to planting your crops. They will also eat weed roots.

Two good breeds to look at when starting are saddlebacks and tamworths, good hardy breeds.

Wessex Saddlebacks

Tamworth Pigs

You will also need a dry Pig Ark with bedding for them to make their 'nest'.