Raising AKKPS registered Kunekunes, as they are the perfect grazing pig for my small homestead.
Operating as usual
*SOLD* This gilt will be moving down to Florida
After going back and forth trying to decide whether or not this girl should stay home, I have decided to make her available. She is tri colored, double wattled, has a nice and straight top line, great feet and legs and a short snout. Her dam is a favorite of mine and I also kept a daughter from her last litter.
AKKPS 297341
Aria Giana x Andrew
Photos from Holly Springs Kunekunes's post
Photos from Holly Springs Kunekunes's post
Photos from Holly Springs Kunekunes's post
Photos from Holly Springs Kunekunes's post
Photos from Holly Springs Kunekunes's post
Photos from Holly Springs Kunekunes's post
Photos from Holly Springs Kunekunes's post
Photos from Holly Springs Kunekunes's post
Photos from Holly Springs Kunekunes's post
Photos from Holly Springs Kunekunes's post
Photos from Holly Springs Kunekunes's post
Well written article about COI
The COI, or “coefficient of Inbreeding”, is a measure of the degree of “relatedness” in an individual. The COI tells us the percentage of common ancestry in an individual’s pedigree.
So, is it important? Yes and no.
Generally speaking, for most individuals that are breeding animals, keeping your COI on the lower end of the spectrum is a good place to start. The kunekune population in the world as we know it today, descended from just a handful of animals (6 sows and 3 boars). In Canada in particular, the gene pool is even more restricted than in other parts of the world due to the stringent regulations surrounding the importation of animals from different countries.
What level of COI should I aim for?
For me as a breeder, genetic diversity is of the utmost importance so that I can meet the needs of various clients that come to me, whatever their goals may be. Under 10% COI is considered optimal, but up to 15% is still a good level. The difference between 10% and 15% is very minimal, and the conformation of the animal is ALWAYS more important than that 5% difference is! You still aren’t likely to see piglets born with additional limbs at this level lol
All joking aside, there are situations where you may see a much higher COI and it’s not necessarily something to be afraid of. Many experienced breeders are looking to produce a high level of uniformity in their herds, or are looking to amplify certain traits, and will turn to linebreeding. Linebreeding is the purposeful breeding of more closely related individuals, such as parent and offspring, half-siblings, nephew to aunt, etc. Linebreeding certainly has its place, but I think its better left to breeders with lots of experience under their belts. Although its true goal is to amplify positive traits, the reverse can also happen just as easily and can amplify negative traits. You should absolutely only breed the very best to the very best in these circumstances and be prepared to cull heavily if it doesn’t work out. There’s a running joke in among animal breeders – if it’s intentional, it’s linebreeding. If it’s accidental, it’s inbreeding!
When you are looking to add to your herd, or plan your breedings if you have multiple animals, you can check the COI of the resulting animals using the “Trial Breeding” feature in the AKKPS herdbook.
In summary, when you are new to breeding, aim for a COI of 10% or less between your breeding pairs, but don’t be scared away by a COI in the 10-15% range. In the big picture of what makes a suitable breeding animal or breeding pair, the COI is just one small piece of many.
By Kate Belbeck
🎉 BLACK FRIDAY SPECIAL 🎉
Andrew x Aria Giana boar
Double wattled
Ready to go next weekend.
Springville, Al with transport options available
Go vote! Don’t complain if you don’t participate
**Attention Members** please check your email and vote for the director elections as well as some very important issues we need member’s input on!
Photos from Holly Springs Kunekunes's post
Photos from Holly Springs Kunekunes's post
Photos from Holly Springs Kunekunes's post
Photos from Holly Springs Kunekunes's post
Still enjoying all the pumpkins. ❤️❤️
Very well written from a friend regarding the new registry and AKKPS.
I have supported AKKPS since I started with Kunekunes several years ago and even joined before I got my first pigs as they have some amazing and informational articles. The new things with the registry are nothing but beneficial to us members and will definitely save us a good bit of money.
Bear with me, this may be a long post. If you don’t breed kunekune pigs, you can disregard. This post is for anyone that breeds registered kunekune pigs or are interested in starting in the near future. This post is also to inform all our customers who have purchased registered breeding stock from us. Our farm has always been a proud supporter of AKKPS- American KuneKune Pig Society - since we started breeding in 2019. This registry has recently revealed some amazing new changes to their software platform that will start in January of 2023. Currently AKKPS contracts out a registrar who charges certain fees to perform registration duties. Currently the annual membership fee is $25 and then there is a fee for each additional item (litter notifications, piglet registrations, transfers, duals, etc.) which goes directly to the registrar, not to AKKPS. With the new software being implemented the annual membership fee will be $65 and that is all you will pay yearly. All litter notifications, registrations, transfers, duals, etc are included in that $65! Think of all the money you will save! AKKPS will be paying a registrar with your annual fees to complete work in a timely manner. The only additional cost you may have as a member is if you choose to have your registration papers printed and mailed by the registrar, otherwise you can print a very professional certificate online whenever you need it. AKKPS’s current registrar declined to continue being the registrar once her contract ends this year.
Instead of continuing with AKKPS and their new software, this registrar has decided to start her own registry -IKKPS- which she rolled out the day after she declined AKKPS’s final contract. Originally it was stated that IKKPS would have a breed up program and not require DNA testing, which is vital to maintain the kunekune breed. I believe IKKPS received too much backlash on this and quickly backtracked saying DNA IS required now unless put to a member vote at some point. So here is where this goes… IKKPS’s yearly membership is $25 but each registry item like litter notifications and registrations cost anywhere from $10-14 each, which goes straight in the registrar’s pocket. After paying the yearly membership, doing 1 litter notification, and registering just 4 piglets you are at around $75! That’s just one litter… if you usually have multiple litters in a year this registry makes absolutely no sense. Another issue is AKKPS is not accepting any IKKPS registered pigs into their herdbook for an unforeseen amount of time. The EKPA -Empire Kunekune Pig Association- will not be allowing pigs solely registered with IKKPS to participate in their programs and shows. Furthermore this registrar has been using member email addresses from AKKPS to contact and persuade members to join her registry. She boasts all these great benefits but if you look past it all, she just wants the money. Anyone who would start another kunekune registry and consider not requiring DNA is not in it to preserve this wonderful breed. This opens the door for mixes of pot belly, Juliana, etc. which completely takes away from all the qualities that make a kunekune.
I apologize for this long post but I truly want breeders to be aware of what is happening. With AKKPS and IKKPS being so similar in name (I’m sure that was on purpose), it can definitely be very confusing for people new to the breed. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
Please share if you like!
AKKPS would like to thank Matt Burton, a founding member of AKKPS, for supporting AKKPS and offering to be the AKKPS Founding Member Advisor. Matt brings his wealth of knowledge about AKKPS and why it was formed. Read his bio below!
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Ueypx578rJNCLoBmk762eH-QzYOL_VxgBykUxO0EEJs/edit?usp=sharing
My gorgeous Waffles ❤️ this girl has it all
Nice topline, nice tail set, strong pasterns, nice growth rate, round head, short snout and even a dash of color to boot (which is the last thing to look for, but never hurts).
This girl is so hard to get good photos of, but she is turning out amazing.
I love this girl. She is possibly bred to a Boris boar, but if she didn’t settle and comes back into heat, I will be breeding her for a spring litter. Sire would most likely be Leo, my Tonganui.
This girl will be going into the breeding pen next month for a early spring maiden litter. I can not wait to see what this amazing girl produces. She will be bred to Leo, my Tonganui.
Love how this Aria Giana x Andrew gilt is growing out. I haven’t posted many pictures of her as I’ve been debating if she should stay home.
But now is your chance… she is up for grabs
AKKPS#297341 (parents are dual registered, so she would be able to be dual registered with IKHR)
Last picture is her dam and sire.
Do have a barrow that can go with her as a companion
Springville, Al
Happy pigs!! 🎃
When you don’t have your own barn cat, but the neighbor through the woods cat comes to visit, that kinda counts doesn’t it??
I have no idea what this sweet boys name is, but I do love when he comes to visit. He knows I keep a bag of greenie treats in my car.
Statement from AKKPS
To this day, the AKKPS continues to be the only kunekune registry in the United States and Canada that is both a non-profit organization (meaning that all profits are reinvested into the registry and membership) and is member-governed.
We are committed to the preservation of this delightful breed through the maintenance of permanent records of pedigreed animals that are guaranteed purebred due to stringent DNA verification requirements.
The American Kunekune Pig Society (AKKPS) has NOT changed its name, nor its mission statement.
We want to assure you that, while we are in the midst of transitioning to an all-inclusive system that is more user-friendly, efficient, and cost-effective for our members, we are currently still accepting and processing registration items.
We will only be closed for registration activities for a brief period (Dec 2/22 - Jan 14/23) in order to complete the registration activities in queue and facilitate the move of the complete, up-to-date herdbook data to the new platform. After this brief period, registration processing will resume on 1/15/23 using our new and improved registration program.
While there are some new changes coming to AKKPS, they are for the better. This registry has been nothing but amazing since I joined when I first got into Kunekunes. I will continue to only deal with and register AKKPS.
ATTENTION ALL BREEDERS
It’s come to my attention the Hired/Contacted Registrar for the AKKPS has started a new FOR PROFIT REGISTRY after turning down the new contact offered to her by AKKPS.
Every penny of membership dues and all registration related fees will go directly into her pocket with this new registry. There is no Board of Directors to protect the members.
(2 Board of “Advisor” members that do not own nor breed KuneKunes, have little to no say.)
She has reached out to many of our members via Emails.
LET ME BE CLEAR. This move is purely money/profit motivated.
This new registry is offering to register non registered pigs by pictures alone. There is no valid reason to do this that benefit’s the breed, nor the integrity of the herd book other than money. Dispute what her letter stated that was sent to all our members.
The letter is filled in inaccuracies about the board.
The Board of Directors of the AKKPS have the breeds and your best interest at heart. They are Volunteers. Kathy Pedersen is a PAID Contractor and is looking to sustain that flow of income against the best interests of the breed.
AKKPS IS ON SOLID GROUND and will forge on despite this distraction.
I AM STRONGLY ADVISING MY CLIENTS AND ALL OTHER BREEDERS TO STAY THE CORSE WITH THE AKKPS.
THEY’VE GOT YOUR BACK.
THE ONLY NON PROFIT KUNEKUNE REGISTRY IN NORTH AMERICA!!!!
The new system goes online in the new year saving you lots of money and time, by including all registration related transactions in a once year low membership fee!!
UPDATE: AKKPS IS STILL
OPEN FOR BUSINESS AS USUAL during this transition. Only the platform for the website and herdbook will change in the new year.
There has been some confusion about this.
If you have any registrations to put through at this time use our current website as usual!
Hope this helps.
Thank you for your time and please feel free to share this post if you agree!
For anyone who is looking for Nigerian dwarfs from some well known farms and great milk lines, my sister has decided to end her breeding program.
We have made the difficult decision to end our breeding program. We are going to keep a couple does as pets, and the rest will need to find new homes. If you are looking for some great genetics, this could be a good opportunity. I have a couple does in milk, really nice bucks, some does old enough to breed, and a few kids. I have them all listed on my website, so please check first before sending me a PM. https://opossum317.wixsite.com/hollyspringsmtnniger
Photos from Holly Springs Kunekunes's post
Springville, AL
35146
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What is this liquid that falls from the sky🤣🤣 Finally getting some much needed rain!!
The babies first time to venture outside ❤️
Looks like a whole soccer team in there. Hopefully just another week or two until Pancake farrows her maiden litter.
If you watch closely you can see Pancakes babies moving.
It’s been snowing all morning but not sticking since it is above freezing.
Caterina
And still waiting on our Trish sow Penelope to farrow as well. Any day now.
Still anxiously awaiting for our Awakino gilt, Patsy to farrow.
This just came out of nowhere!
The girls enjoying outside before the storm hits 🌧
Penelope and Rupert ❤️ These two will be bred next month. Trish x Tonganui babies coming this fall
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