01/15/2020
KUNEKUNE PIGS FOR THE FAMILY
KuneKunes are sociable and child-friendly. Children love it when they start rubbing on the piglets’ bellies, only to watch the piglets fall over on their sides, as if to say “A litle to the left... It just never gets old. It’s impossible not to smile when it happens. And the thing we love about Kunekunes, that’s unlike any other pig we’ve been around, is the fact that they are so friendly with people.
Hairier than their cousins KuneKunes come in a riot of colors, from cream, white, black and all shades thereof. They ofen have spots.
KuneKunes generally have a pair of watles, feshy tassels that hang from the neck.
Their dish-shaped face and short snout give them “an almost comical appearance,.... The stubby nose also allows them to graze with litle of the destructve rootng associated with pigs. Pasture is a mainstay of the pigs’ diet.
The meat has more lard than the average pork and well marbled.
KuneKunes do well in any climate, but they do need a building or portable hut for shelter. In the winter, “they sleep really huddled together... and stay warm. They really don’t like being alone most of the tme but seem to prefer not having others around at farrowing tme. Sows typically have six to eight piglets in a liter and rarely need help farrowing.
In the summer, the pigs like to cool of in mud wallows.
KuneKunes are a heritage breed with a lot of diversity, untouched by commercial breeding systems, making them extremely healthy. They have pet-like temperaments. You can put as many as fve on a healthy acre of land. They truly are the perfect pig!
Raising pigs on a few acres is very diferent from running a large-scale hog fnishing barn but raising KuneKune pigs is rewarding.
Before you buy, do your research and know what you're getng into! Pigs are wonderful, intelligent, afectonate and sensitve creatures, and although not an ideal pet for everyone they are perfect livestock for small homesteads. Don't find out too late for yourself and the pig that it's not a good match for you! On another note, if your pig is coming from out of state make sure all required paperwork and blood testing have been done. Ask your veterinarian to contact your state vet and GET IN WRITING the requirements for bringing in a pig from out of state. You can also fnd all the current informaton on by state on the USDA website. Be sure the seller has complied with all regulatons to avoid any unpleasant surprises. Many breeders fly piglets all over the country and the airlines do not check the state regulatons but a health certfcate is required by most airlines.
