how long can kunekune pigs breed

Splitting Boys From Girls: Separate gilts and boars by about 6 months of age. Please keep this in mind. They typically reach sexual maturity around 8 months of age. Kunekune meat is worth waiting for if you have the ability to wait. Official Website: https://keeneye123.wixsite.com/falconefamilyfarm. Ive even heard of doing 3 per year, but why push your sow that hard. These pigs are less smelly than some other pigs, and they need less space. [In-Depth Guide] YouTube, Pros and Cons of Raising Kune Kune Pigs YouTube, Kune FAQ Empire Kunekune Pig Association (ekpa.org), 8 Keys To Beating & Preventing Bad Health, Herbal Treatment For Scours In Baby Goats, Parrot Care The Most Complicated Pet To Own. For your pigs to be happiest, you're going to need 4 pigs. There are several possible causes of sow infertility hormonal problems, a reproductive tract damaged by infection, or too fat or too thin in body condition. Boars are most comfortable in their own area where they have already marked their territory. Read more on. Are Kunes True Pasture Pigs? Do you know someone who could benefit from this information? Do not try to fatten your Kunekune pigs like you would other breeds of pigs. Deworming is generally done twice a year. The AKKPS is an official breed registry of purebred KuneKunes that has a strong commitment to the preservation of purebred, pedigreed, parentage DNA verified KuneKunes. First, when mom has finished farrowing, she will deliver the after birth. So, imagine my shock to see piglets running around with their ears open, eyes open in moments! A Kunekune gilt may begin cycling around six months old. These little pigs are fairly new to the United States and are growing in many niche markets. They are a large breed of pig that originated in New Zealand. Then they go into heat every 2-3 weeks. Some breeders will breed them twice a year depending on the size of their herd. Another tough decision you need to consider is what are you going to do with non-breeding quality piglets? After creating a lot of content around pet pigs and working with them myself, Kunekune's have always interested me. Her farrowing pen should be dry and warm. This includes ensuring that your breeding pair is in good health and has access to a nutritious diet. In addition to helping with pasture management, Kunekune pigs are popular in non-farming circles as pets. If you have children, this is an amazing experience to share with them. The use of a heat lamp behind a farrowing rail can help improve piglet survival. Unlike most other breeds, KuneKune pigs have wattles. Look every day to see when your female is swelling. the gilt or sow worthy of breeding first. Learn what age do KuneKunes breed? How do KuneKunes do with transport? Many experienced breeders have found that a boars fertility varies during the year, with fertility reduced both during very hot weather or very cold weather. The main thing with KuneKune pigs is having a warm hay or straw bedded house in the winter months that is draft-free. [4], By the 1980s, only an estimated 50 purebred Kunekune remained. But here are some pictures. At what age do female Kunekune pigs typically reach sexual maturity. The season lasts for between 8 and 48 hours, and normally occurs every 18 to 22 days until pregnancy occurs. Alternatively, you can feed them rich alfalfa hay to provide for their protein needs. So just use your own judgement on that. Kunekune are hairy with a rotund build, and may bear wattles hanging from their lower jaws. I never knew keeping pigs would be so much fun and am fascinated by learning more about all the other breeds as well. This will prevent their breeding too young. This also makes them a great choice for a pet pig if thats something youre looking for. Proper care and attention during gestation and farrowing can help prevent complications and ensure healthy piglets. Spray the cords at the cut point with iodine spray as well. They can pretty easily do up to 2 litters per year. We will have another article coming up on preparing your farrowing area and supplies that you need for birthing. However, it is recommended to wait until female pigs are at least 1 year old before breeding them for the first time. Not only are they serving as companions, but you are also growing some pork as well. Kunekune pigs often have wattles under their chins. Some boars are very adamant about. Of course, the need for grain depends on the quality of your pastures. from a litter is helpful to the size of your litter. So, this article is hopefully all you need to know about the Kunekune pig breed. When older boars are around two years old, they develop a shield that runs along their shoulder region. If you want to keep their area dry, then hog nipples are very popular. Moms will need a nice area for farrowing her babies in a draft free environment. AVOID meat or anything that would be considered junk food. Dismiss, Tasty Gluten Free Sugar Cookies (sugar free too! Working with a reputable breeder or consulting with a KuneKune Registry can help ensure that you select the best breeding pair for your goals and needs. Before embarking on the journey of breeding KuneKunes, it is important to have a thorough understanding of the breed. However, the Kunekune has long hair. Pronounced "koo-nee koo-nee," (which translates to "fat and round"), these pigs have very similar care requirements to pet pot-bellied pigs. She will have settled into that area comfortably and should you choose to, she can continue to live there until 2 weeks prior to farrowing. . We also live in Virginia and this winter has been a bit extreme in temperatures. Another reason barrows are nice to house with your boars. These pigs have oodles of personality. begin to cycle much earlier. Most of the time, the piglets go to the heat lamps to warm and to mom to eat. Once you have bred your female, the gestation period is 3 months, 3 weeks, and 3 days. To experience the wonder of Kunekune pork, you must be patient. Later we switched to just hay as when newborns are born, and mom builds her nest she will bring the pine bedding to the top where it sticks to the wet piglets. The gilts (females that have not farrowed a litter before) reach breeding age at 12 + months depending on their size and bloodlines. They can weigh between 150 and 400 pounds with the males generally being heavier and taller than females. At certain times of the year, the pastures may not provide adequate protein for the pigs. The fiber requirement is also much more than commercial pigs. I have a separate blog post on farrowing huts. Have lots of towels or shop rags handy. So, I added hay on top of the pine bedding. You can of course add more vegetables to her diet if you want to. This fat gives great flavor to sausages, bacon, and other kinds of meat. After many years of raising KuneKunes now, I love the birthing process and do all I can to ensure that I am present for a birth. Make sure they have been recently dewormed and that they have had their vaccinations. You will not be able to put your breeding pair together till the female is big enough and this could be anywhere from 18 - 24 months old depending on growth rate. Many will wait months before deciding to offer a piglet as breeding quality. In addition, Kunekune pigs are grazing pigs and need less grain to grow to market weight. You should be prepared to give your own shots if you are wanting to breed Kunekunes. What is the cost of transport? After many years of raising KuneKunes now, I love the birthing process and do all I can to ensure that I am present for a birth. Simply making sure they have enough grass or hay to eat, have fresh water, and are healthy are the daily chores. Increasing the sows food intake for up to 2 weeks before mating can have a flushing effect on the ovaries and can increase the litter size. . Once the piglets and mother pig are fighting over the food, the piglets can be removed to ensure that they get adequate feed. Weaning should take place between 8 and 10 weeks of age. This guide provides valuable information and tips for breeding KuneKune pigs, what age do KuneKune pigs breed and more. Kunekune hogs do not require tons of work. You should also have a heat lamp behind the crush rails so the piglets go to a safe place to sleep. This worked well for me and can be a great tool. This helps pass immunities over to the babies when they begin to nurse in her milk. Girls generally go into heat for the first time at 6 months old. However, two wildlife park owners saved the breed. The Kunekune is the smallest breed of pig. I enjoyed reading about the Kune-Kune pigs, wish I had more room at our place! What are some common health concerns for Kunekune pigs during the breeding process? Within a few moments, the piglet is up on their feet and able to walk and even run around! You may notice that the boar is using his snout and massaging her. You can add all types of fresh fruits and vegetables as well. Chickens, Livestock, Homesteading & Gardening | Rural Living. Understanding sexual maturity in Kunekune pigs. Five weeks before the mom farrows you will want to give her another dose of Rhini Shield TX4 or Toxiac AD & E whichever one that you use before you bred her. These days, they are raised as pets or livestock. (Of course, this can vary depending on how much you feed them.) This means that they require smaller pens and shelters than some other breeds. If you do not see the breeding it does not mean it did not happen. You can castrate your boys relatively easily on your own or take them to a vet and it is pretty affordable. Breeding KuneKune Pigs is a complex process that requires careful planning and paying attention to detail. First, in this article we are going to talk about breeding, preparing for the piglets and farrowing a litter. Not only are they serving as companions, but you are also growing some pork as well. You want to keep an eye on the gilt for her to cycle and if you are lucky, you will see the breeding. Something to note is that they are considered a lard breed pig. By taking these factors into account, you can help ensure that your Kunekune pig breeding program is a success. However, the way that these pigs managed to get from Asia to New Zealand is unclear. A heat lamp will be helpful if it is chilly or cold outside. Likewise, she will be more mentally ready for farrowing (delivery babies). At 6 months females are not developed enough to carry piglets and are still growing themselves. Ideally, youd do 2 inches wood chips topped with another 4 inches of straw or hay for a nicely insulated bed. One thing to keep in mind is that Kunekune pigs are slow growing. Your email address will not be published. Their coat comes in a variety of colors, and it can vary from . The Kunekune ( Mori pronunciation: [knkn]) [1] is a small breed of domestic pig from New Zealand. And of course, they will enjoy wallowing in mud which helps keep them cool. 2023, Countryside - All Rights Reserved, Natural and Effective Home Remedies For Head Lice, How the Bot Fly Causes Warbles in Rabbits. A sow will be receptive to the boar for 8 to 48 hours. When it comes to breeding KuneKunes, selecting the right breeding pair is crucial. Maybe you have an orchard they will make sure no fruit stays on the ground for long. Some sows are more careful about laying down and are more motherly than others. KuneKunes are a small, friendly breed of. KuneKunes mothers are amazing mothers, and they call their babies to them to eat. If your pigs will not have access to the outdoors, you should provide 50 to 80 square feet per pig in the barn. Though I find them to be quite unsightly and prefer them without wattles. Proper breeding techniques and pregnancy management are also critical to ensuring the well-being of both the sow and litter. Kunekune pigs do very well on a diet of grass, fresh fruit, and vegetables. Be careful of piglets drowning in water troughs etc until they get a bit older. You can also flush the gilt before breeding which is said to give you more piglets.

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