Kunekune
The kunekune is a small breed of domestic pig from New Zealand. Kunekune are hairy with a rotund build, and may bear wattles hanging from their lower jaws. Their colour ranges from black and white, to ginger, cream, gold-tip, black, brown and tricoloured. They have a docile, friendly natur…
What can I Feed my kunekune pigs?
Kunekune pigs live on grass and vegetables in summer, in autumn this can be supplemented with apples. In the winter when the grass loses its goodness 1 lb. a hot mash can be given. This amount will vary with the condition of the pigs. There
What do Kune Kunes eat?
In the spring, summer and fall they will eat lots of fresh grass or pasture and durning the winter time they can eat grass hay or alfalfa hay. It was surprising when we first got our Kune Kunes to see how much grass they eat.
What do you feed a baby pig in the winter?
You may need to supplement in the winter with alfalfa hay and/or alfalfa pellets and a mini pig pellet food such as Blue Seal Pig & Sow, Purina Complete Pig and Sow food, or Purina Nature’s Match. The feed can be found at your local feed and seed store or a local Tractor Supply.
Do kunekune pigs need a mud puddle?
In the summer months, it is vital for them to have a mud puddle to cool off in, keep the biting insects off, and prevent sunburn. KuneKune pigs are mid-size pigs weighing 200-400 pounds (boars would be on the higher end and females on the lower end) and 24-36 inches tall.
What should I feed my Kunekune in winter?
There are nutrional changes in the winter versus the summer months. As our breed is a grazing pig, the winter does not meet their needs in our area. Therefore, we must provide for them. Some folks say that their KuneKunes will eat hay in the winter.
How do you keep Kunekune pigs warm in the winter?
Fill the shelters with straw or hay bedding to keep them warm during the winter months. Five or six fully grow KuneKune Pigs can fit easily in the A-frame shelters and remain toasty warm. Watering their pigs is the "scary" part of winter maintenance for most folks.
How cold is too cold for Kunekune pigs?
Make sure if it is going to be under 32 degrees overnight or for some of you, in the day, that you open all the ends to your water hoses. This helps keep them from freezing. We stretch them all out and in most cases, I am able to use them no matter what the temperature is the next day as they are not frozen.
What should I feed my Kunekune?
Kunes thrive on a diet of grass, fresh fruit and vegetables. They differ from commercial pigs in that they do not need high levels of protein. Kunes need a maximum of 16% protein, and by preference a little less. They also need much more fibre than commercial pigs.
What do you feed pigs in the winter?
A lot of people think pigs won't eat hay, but that is exactly what our pigs eat all winter. We feed a combination of alfalfa, clover, and grass hay. We put a big round bale or square bale into each pen and it gives them feed and entertainment for many weeks (then we replace it with another one).
What do pigs need for winter?
Like other animals, pigs in winter need shelter, so they can stay dry. We put a thick layer of straw in there also, so that will insulate them from the ground.
Does Kunekune Need grain?
FOOD. Kunekunes require 1/7 to 1/4 the amount of grain of standard pigs, but they do still need some grain in combination with their grazing to make sure their diet is complete. This is especially true of young (birth through one year), pregnant, and lactating pigs.
What can Kunekune pigs not eat?
They don't like onion skins. We have fed our KuneKunes all kinds of vegetable scraps. Celery ends, potatoes peels, cucumbers, and bad lettuce are all vegetables we have fed our KuneKunes and they really pig out. Feel free to feed them any and all vegetables because they will love it.
How can I keep my pigs warm without electricity?
KEEP PIGS WARM: Straw or wood shavings can be used for bedding to help keep pigs warm in bitter cold winter weather. Swine can withstand cold, but all animals need shelter in harsh conditions.
How much hay should I feed my KuneKune?
How much feed does a Kunekune pig need? Kunekunes should be provided with approximately 1-2% of their body weight in pelleted feed alongside free access to grass or hay. The feed should be split into two feeds a day and could be provided in a trough or scattered in their paddock.
Are alfalfa pellets good for pigs?
Alfalfa also contains tannins and sapponins— anti-nutritional factors that reduce the growth rate of pigs. Alfalfa can be a valuable feed for dry sows, but less so for younger pigs. Sows have a greater capacity for fermentation in the hindgut that allows for greater fiber digestion and improved energy utilization.
Can pigs eat all stock sweet feed?
Pet pigs should not be fed sweet feed or other grains, or feeds designed for “show pigs” or hogs. Potbellied pig feeds should be fed according to label recommendations, based on the ideal healthy weight of the pig. The daily serving of pellets should be divided up into at least 2 meals per day.
What temperature is too cold for pigs?
How cold is too cold?Stage of pig growthTemperature (F)Wean pig, 15 lbs.77-85Nursery pig, 45 lbs.70-75Grower, 55 lbs.68-75Grower, 100 lbs.60-654 more rows•Nov 19, 2019
Do Kunekune pigs need heat lamps?
In the colder months, we use heat lamps for the first 3 weeks 24 hours a day and then only at night until the piglets are 6 weeks old. Starting at 6 weeks old we do not use hear lamps but instead use a heaping mound of hay for the piglets to burrow into.
At what temperature do pigs need a heat lamp?
At 48 inches off the floor, temperature can be maintained at 68° F (20° C) , but at the floor, or in this piglet zone, a constant temperature of 80-90° F (27 – 32° C) is desirable for much of the farrowing turn, or until animals are older and have less need for supplemental heat.
Are pigs OK in cold weather?
Young pigs up to 45-50 lbs are very sensitive to low temperatures and become chilled quickly. On the other hand, finishing pigs and lactating sows are much less sensitive to cold but don't tolerate high environmental temperatures very well at all.
Winter is Coming!
As you look outside, it is beginning to show signs of winter. It seems that Fall came and went very quickly. Next week here in Virginia we will be experiencing rather cold temperatures overnight which is a bit early for us.
Frozen Water Hoses
When the temperature begin to get cold, it is time to consider what you will do when your water hoses are frozen. For us, we use a 100 gallon stock tanks. We place them in conveniently located places throughout the farm. We pick those places close to where we need the most water as we will be using buckets to dip out the water.
De-icer
We use de-icers as I mentioned above inside the stock tanks. These only come on to keep the water from freezing are are very inexpensive to use. We get ours from Tractor Supply and it cost about $29.99.
Bedding
Bedding is very important that it is kept dry and deep. We have used both hay and straw bedding. I am not fond of straw although it is absorbant, it is rougher and stalky. Straw is fine for older KuneKunes but, I still prefer hay. We are blessed to have a wonderful resource for hay in our area with a local farmer.
Draft Free Housing
It is very imporant whatever type of housing that you use that it is draft free. There is a very inexpensive way to accomplish this. Carpet runners! You can use those clear plastic carpet runners from Home Depot or Lowes. They will cut exactly how much you need. We have been using them for years.
A-Frame Housing
Probably the most important aspect for pigs wintering outside is that they have adequate shelter and protection from the weather and cold. We build A-frame houses made with two sheets of plywood on the sides and a triangle piece for the back.
What do kunekune pigs eat?
Kunekune pigs do very well on a diet of grass, fresh fruit, and vegetables. They are different from commercial pigs in that they do not need high levels of protein. Kunes need around 16% protein, and in comparison, it is quite less. The fiber requirement is also much more than commercial pigs. Kunekune pigs do well on grass ...
What are the feeding rules for a Kunekune pig?
But first, some feeding rules to live by…. 1. Kunekune pigs are not ruminants but omnivores. 2. Your growing pig needs more food and nutrition than adult Kunes. 3. Your growing pig’s body condition in its first year of life should be round but not too chubby. 4.
What do kunekunes need?
This ensures your pigs are getting all the essential vitamins and minerals. Kunekunes are a grass foraging pig ...
How much should a 4 month old pig eat?
Youngsters up to 4 months old get should be fed up to a 12-ounce scoop of food per day. Observe your pig from starting point and adjust the diet as per their growth. A 4-8-month-old Kunes might eat 1.5-2 scoops. I’d say that adults eat around 1-1.5 scoops per day when in optimal condition.
How much water should a pig drink a day?
Pigs must be fed twice a day when needing to be supplemented, and have easy access to clean drinking water. Adult sows can drink up to 5-litres of water a day during lactation, predominantly during hot weather.
Can you use kitchen waste on pigs?
This means any kitchen leftovers, such as fruit and vegetable peels or pet food, cannot be provided to your pigs.
Is a Kunekune pig overweight?
They are not overweight, nor are they structurally strained. Kunekune pigs vary in size and growth rates and there are no guarantees that a piglet out of fast-growing parents will also have fast growth. But there’s an increased likelihood, especially if properly and amply fed.
What can Kunekunes eat?
KuneKunes can eat all vegetables including, celery, potatoes, tomatoes, and lettuce.
Why do pigs slop the hogs?
If you have ever heard the phrase “slop the hogs” its because pigs love eating leftovers and food scraps. There are only a few things that I will never feed my KuneKunes and things I have noticed that they don’t like. So lets discuss what KuneKunes can and should not eat. Kune Kunes are omnivores meaning like people their diet can consist ...
Do kune pigs eat grass?
The best part is since they have upturned noses they won’t root up your lawn or pasture. A majority of KuneKunes diet is made up of grass and fresh greens.
Can Kune eat bread?
Kune Kunes can eat all bread products and other grains. Bread has great nutrition for Kune Kunes. Instead of throwing out moldy bread or bread scraps feed them to your Kune Kunes. As much as I hate throwing out bread it is good to know that our Kune Kunes will thoroughly enjoy it.
What to feed pigs in winter?
You may need to supplement in the winter with alfalfa hay and/or alfalfa pellets and a mini pig pellet food such as Blue Seal Pig & Sow, Purina Complete Pig and Sow food, or Purina Nature’s Match. The feed can be found at your local feed and seed store or a local Tractor Supply.
What is the main thing about Kunekune pigs?
The main thing with KuneKune pigs is having a warm hay or straw bedded house in the winter months that is draft-free. It can be an elaborate house or a simple calf hut. Whatever suits your budget.
What are Kunekune pigs called?
Breed Characteristic. Unlike most other breeds, KuneKune pigs have wattles. They are called Piri Piri in their original land of New Zealand. These are similar to goat wattles and hang just under the jowl. They are born with and without wattles. The inheritance of these wattles appears to have no rhyme or reason.
What is Kunekune pig?
Kathy Petersen – KuneKune pigs are making their way into small-scale farming operations across the country. You may ask yourself what makes these pigs so special … the simple answer is everything! This breed is extremely friendly, docile, and easy to handle. First-time pig farmers are just amazed at how easy they truly are.
What kind of pigs are good for free range?
If you’re looking to start free-range pig farming, look no further than KuneKune pigs. They are easy on the environment and prefer grass instead of rooting up the earth. They are made to graze with a short snout, unlike other breeds making them very efficient grazing machines.
What is the temperament of a Kunekune pig?
Temperament. KuneKune pigs are very easy-going and social creatures. They will run to greet you when they hear you come to the pastures. They enjoy human interaction and will plop for a belly rub at a moment’s notice. They are fantastic with chickens, ducks, goats, cats, and dogs.
How big are Kunekune pigs?
Size. KuneKune pigs are mid-size pigs weighing 200-400 pounds (boars would be on the higher end and females on the lower end) and 24-36 inches tall. This is usually about to your knee. (Of course, this can vary depending on how much you feed them.)
How to help a pig with fat blindness?
If your pig is getting fat blindness, make sure you are feeding a quality feed. Do not feed kunekune's "All Stock" or any type of feed that is for other animals. Our veterinarian said the #1 reason she see's health issues in livestock is from "All Stock" feed. Then if you are feeding a good quality grain, cut back on treats and fruit. Still feed veggies and they can get hay and graze. If you are still having issues, take your pig to a veterinarian to make sure nothing else is going on.
When do piglets start eating?
Piglets start eating grain as early as 1 week old, they follow their mom out and will mouth the grain. By 3 to 4 weeks old they are fighting their mom for food. When they are weaned at 8 weeks they are getting 1/2 cup twice a day and fresh fruit and veggies. These are rough estimates for growing piglets. All piglets will grow at different rates and food needs to be adjusted accordingly.
Can kunekunes fatten?
Kunekunes can fatten on pasture grazing alone. If you do supplement with grain make sure it is 16% or lower in protein. I used the feed store's brand "Bryant" 14% Hog Finisher twice a day. I have recently switched to Purina's Pig & Sow from Tractor Supply. It is a 16% feed and I've noticed it helps reduce the tear discharge from their eyes. Depending on the size of the pig and how much pasture they are getting I adjust the amount.
Kunekune Pigs
In addition to helping with pasture management, Kunekune pigs are popular in non-farming circles as pets. These pigs have oodles of personality. They are friendly, calm, and curious. They are very smart and always want to see what the humans are up to.
Qualities of Kunekune Pork
Kunekune pork is drastically different from the pork that you find in stores. The meat is dark red and richly marbled, leading to moist and tender meat. Many times the chops and pork steaks resemble beef more than pork. The meat has a sweet flavor due to the grass based diet of the Kunekune.
Raising Kunekune Hogs for Pork
Because Kunekune pigs are such great grazers, they are a great choice for homestead pigs. While many breeders do give their young pigs a bit of grain during their growing years, it is a relatively small amount, like 2 cups per day per pig.
Are Kune Kune Pigs Right for You?
Some things to consider before raising Kunekune pigs and other pigs — and any livestock for meat — are:
Housing and Fencing Kunekune Pigs
Kunekune pigs need about a quarter acre of pasture per adult pig. This means that you can have four or five pigs per acre. Rotating pastures will keep the pigs from overgrazing the fields. The pigs will be more likely to root and test fences if their fields are overgrazed. Foraging keeps the pigs happy and intellectually stimulated.
Breeding Kunekune Pigs
Usually around the age of 8 months, Kunekune boars reach sexual maturity. However, they will not be fully fertile until they are a year old. A Kunekune gilt may begin cycling around six months old. However, they do not need to breed until they are 10 months old.
Characteristics to Consider When Breeding
There are certain characteristics to consider. The ideal breeding gilt has the following attributes:
