The Truth about Miniature / Micro Pigs

Okay so here are some photographs of the micro piglets at 4 months, still tiny enough to get into a pumpkin! But you know since the piglets arrived I've heard some really stupid remarks about micro / miniature / teacup pigs from people who are or appear to be quite intelligent and usually well informed.

One gentleman said to me, "Well they can't really be micro pigs can they or they would stay that size forever" and he has a degree.

A fully qualified midwife was heard to say, upon departing from the pigs, "They are so tiny and cute, did you know you can get some that stay that small, they are called handbag pigs."

"They aren't that small are they, I mean these are piglets and some full grown pigs are this size."

And so on ...

Folks I hate to disillusion you but the truth about miniature, micro, teacup pigs is that they don't stay the size of tiny piglets, they are not going to fit into a teacup, handbag or pumkin forever. They will not grow enormous like a Gloucester Old Spot but these little piglets will grow to be about the size of Mum and Dad, (Dad is about knee high, Mum is much smaller) maybe a little smaller but they will grow and how a fully qualified midwife could really think that piglets could stay baby size forever is beyond me.

Little pet pigs at 3 months

The piglets had their 3 months birthday on September 28th

they seem to get cuter by the day

and they are such amazing little characters.

Black micro piglets

Our piglets are all black like Bertie except for one who has a littelheart shaped pink spot on the end of his snout - so cute.

And this little chap who has two white socks.

So small

The piglets were 3 months old last week and they are still so very small, that is my son's hand in the photographs.

They are now fully weaned and spend a lot of time away from Mum & Dad, they like to visit Hugo and Florence - especially at meal times!

Little Pet Pigs Enjoy Apple Picking Time

September and this is the pig's view from their enclosure. of course the little pet pigs are also getting to eat plenty of the apples themselves and they are really enjoying them.

Breakfast with Mother

Our miniature micro pig gilt is such a good Mother, here she is breaking into a cauliflower for some of her little piglets to try.

Cauliflower is one of Lucy's favourite vegetables so she eats a little,

but then stands back and watches her little ones eat.

Even though she has missed out on most of her breakfast Lucy is happy to oblige when some of the piglets want some milk.

Pig in moult

Our dear little Bertie has gone from hairy pig

to bald pig in a matter of days.

What is going on? Is the pressure of fatherhood too much?

No, Bertie is simply moulting and will regain his lovely hair in a few weeks. Meantime we can help to keep his skin in good condition with baby oil.

Eat Your Greens

At just one week old these amazing little micro piglets are already trying to sample "grown -up" food.

Just look at these little ones tasting the veg!

Of course they are still dependant on Mum for their nourishment and as you can see trying adult food can be thirsty work.

My Little Teacup Pigs

So tiny that they can stand in the palm of your hand the new piglets are so very endearing. It's a shame that some unscrupulous folk have led people to believe that they will stay this size. They won't by the time they are a year old they will be as big as their parents.

First photographs

Here are the first photographs of Lucy and her newborn piglets

we'll be posting lots more so be sure to follow the blog if you want to keep up with their development.

Birth Announcement

Lucy and Albert are pleased to announce the birth of a healthy litter of six piglets

born on 28th June 2011

Pigs Love Apples

Apples are surely a favourite food for pigs - just look at our Kune Kune, Hugo, go to get this apple

and who could deny the fact that Betie the miniature micro pig is enjoying his apple?

I mean just look at that face -



Yum!

Greetings

Every morning I walk down this track to the pigs housing

to be greeted by this little chap. Bertie is always the first of the little pet pigs to hear me approaching, sometimes he gets so excited that he literally jumps up and down.

Fruit Pigs

There is no doubt about it, pigs love fruit. We were lucky enough to be given some slightly over ripe fruit straight from the wholesaler and the little pet pigs loved it. Bertie our miniature micro pig really enjoying that melon.

As indeed is Hugo our Kune Kune boar. Florence the Kune Kune piglet wasn't so keen on the melons, probably due to the fact that she was a little over enthusiastic when biting into one and ended up with seeds shooting up her nose.


Poor Florence, here she isgazing longingly into Lucy and Berties' pen as they tuck into really ripe pears.



Don't worry Florence you'll get some pears too!

As you can see she really enjoyed them.

Orchard Pigs

I don't think I ever mentioned that our little pet pigs live in an old orchard, this is the view from their pig houses at the moment.

(More on pig houses to follow shortly)

Pig Housing

There are lots of different types of pig houses on the market, wooden pig arks,

traditional galvanised arks, plastic calf hutches, the list goes on and on...

Having looked at some of the houses we decided to build our own using recyled materials, this decision was partly influenced by the offer of as much corrugated iron, wood and as many pallets as we required for free.

As you can see from these photograhs we had quite a bit to choose from!

So our next post will be about the building of our pig houses and pens but we can't leave without a gratuitous pig pic of Lucy & Bertie.

Hipstamatic Pigs - Hugo and Florence

Hugo and Florence the kune kune pigs posing for the camera
Actually Florence seems a lot keener on having her photograph taken than Hugo.