KuneKune pigs...opinions?

[Beccazon]

As we move to a new home we are considering expanding our backyard family. A nearby gal has KuneKune piglets. I have done a little bit of research on them and I’m interested in real experiences and opinions of them. Anyone had them? What can you share with me?

 

[muddy75]

I don’t have the luxury of adding pigs but I know it’s one of the favorite breeds!! so i vote YES! maybe some youtube videos will show more “live” info. i know myshire farm added kunekunes this year but not sure if they have added any you tube videos of them since they mostly focus on the quail

 

[RiverOtter]

They're nice pigs, just expensive.
If it's your first pig, and you want one for butcher, save your $ and get a potbelly piglet to raise properly for meat (meaning, a good diet, a large pen and don't let it get obese) because those are also small, easy-to-handle, lard-type pigs.

The difference in flavor in most small "heritage" or "homestead" breed pigs is they are lard type. They put on fat more easily, and more of it, and the meat is red and marbled, not at all "the other white meat" of production bred pigs.

If you are interested in a KuneKune to keep for breeding - and ime, your first experience should be raising a couple of butcher pigs) be *very sure" that the parents aren't closely related, that you only get one from a litter of at least 10 pigs, and that she has at least 10 teats, and 12 is better.

Since they are the current fad breed, people are selling everything that hits the ground as breeding stock so your chance of getting a pretty inbred pig, from a tiny litter (and who will only ever throw tiny litters) is unfortunately high, so watch out for that.