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WARNING – MICO-PIGS, TEA CUP PIGS, MINIATURE PIGS

The statement below is from the British Kune Kune Pig Association regarding ‘Mini’ or ‘Micro’ pigs

With the current climate of media attention and ever growing popularity for pet pigs advertised as mini, micro, miniature and teacup pigs, the BKKPS committee has prepared this statement to clear up confusion and help educate prospective pig owners in their search for pet pigs.

As a society we are regularly contacted by people who have bought a ‘tiny’ pig, that has grown to an unexpected size.

There is no breed of pig called the mini, micro, miniature or teacup pig.

These words can conjure an incorrect image in the minds of those who are not familiar with the sizes of pig breeds.

The smallest breed of domesticated pig in the world is the Kunekune. However, it is not the size of the kunekune breed that makes it most suitable as a pet – it is the personality, temperament and ease of management honed over hundreds of years and countless generations.

There are varying sizes of Kunekune across the breed and indeed at times one sees very large Kunes as well as some slightly smaller ones. The breed standard states that Kunekunes should measure between 24 and 30” at the shoulder at full grown. Full grown height is not usually reached until the pig is at least two years of age.

Kunekune piglets are very tiny at birth and are still very tiny when weaned and this may be misleading to a novice pig keeper. The ‘runt’ or the tiny pig of the litter who does not do as well as the others will eventually reach the same size as his siblings, albeit, he may take longer to reach that size. Similarly mating 2 runts together may result in smaller piglets at birth, but these piglets are just as likely to grow to their full genetic potential as others.

Pigs that are the result of cross-breeding programmes have not been classed as a breed as they do not have a documented lineage controlling the pedigree bloodline. As a result of this genetic make up, pigs bred in this way will not breed ‘true’ to a type and therefore cannot be guaranteed to grow to, or stay at a particular size or type. Any individual pig may contain stronger physical and behavioural characteristics from their mixed heritage resulting in unexpected characteristics or growth patterns that may not be exhibited at birth.

We as a society, do not agree with keeping pigs as house pets, as it clearly states in the guide to keeping Kunekunes on this website that a minimum of half an acre of grazing is required for two pigs and that pigs should be kept in groups of two or more as they are a herd animal.

Do not assume that a pig photographed at just a few days old will remain small after two or three years.

 

 

Pigs Needing a Life-Long Home

Oscar and Oliver, two of the four boys. these guys were born  late summer 2011, they are small breed pigs, we think kune Kune Pot bellied crosses. they have been castrated.

 

 

 

Molly and Percy

Molly is a English Lop eared pigs and Percy is a Sadle Back. Both a very friendly and gentle giants.

Molly came from  a home where she had been neglected, Percy was an RSPCA cruelty case. he was rescued from a farm where all of his siblings had starved to death.

Molly – being fussed at our Summer Open day

Percy

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Micro-Pigs

Micro-pigs were all the rage a year or so ago, now the novelty has worn off, people have realised that these intelligent, clean, highly sociable animals need love and attention and if not given that attention, can soon become destructive, not to mention grow much larger than the cute adverts imply. Consequently interest in their long-term welfare is being tossed aside as quickly as the fad came.

Micro-pigs are not a recognised breed, in fact many people have been miss sold these animals, thinking that they will remain small. These so called “Tea Cup Pigs” often grow into a pig larger than the average Labrador, but many times more powerful.

The reality is that, these inter-bred animals often do grow large, even the smallest pigs if not looked after correctly, by keeping them in social groups and providing them with stimulation, can very quickly destroy your home and garden and even become nasty through frustration and boredom.

In the past week alone, we have been asked to take on 15 pigs, some of which are the so called micro-pigs. We cannot possiblyrescue them all, but these are 4 boys we have managed to rescue.

If you can offer a life-long loving home for a pair of pigs, please let us know, we are aware of several of these beautiful animals that will be euthanised if we cannot find them homes.

Bertie is a famous young man, born in February 2010, his rescue was featured on BBC Inside Out as well as a few newspapers.

Bertie was bought as a so called, Micro-Pig, the reality is that he grew and grew and had to be given up by his owner, he had him as a house pig.

Bertie is now castrated and looking for a partner to live with.

You can see Bertie on IPlayer,

BBC 1, East Midlands Inside Out

 

Our Resident Pigs Wilbur, Wally and Wenday

We rescued three pigs from the awful life of a factory farm. To see how they would have lived had they not been rescued, click on the link below to see a short Compassion in World Farming film.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=OAWpwk4hsRY

Meet Wilbur, Wally and Wendy. These three are very lucky pigs, they came to us as piglets, rescued from a factory farm where they were destined for the dinner table. Now however, thanks to Brinsley Animal Rescue they have a permanent home here with us, living the life of riley.

Their mother Matilda we rescued from a farrowing crate by Fresh Fields where she shortly later gave birth to five piglets, all have since been found loving homes, rather than living a short torrid life in a factory farm then slaughtered for meat.

As you can see, they love fuss and attention, they are so intelligent, social and very clean animals

 

 

 

 

Rocky Pig