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The Perfect Piggy: A guide to Teacup Pigs, Micro Pigs and other Pet Pigs
The Perfect Piggy: A guide to Teacup Pigs, Micro Pigs and other Pet Pigs
The Perfect Piggy: A guide to Teacup Pigs, Micro Pigs and other Pet Pigs
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The Perfect Piggy: A guide to Teacup Pigs, Micro Pigs and other Pet Pigs

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Are you fascinated by these cute little pets?

Would you like to learn more about these miniature pigs?

Ever wondered how big a Teacup Pig actually grows?

If the answer to above question is 'yes', then you'll love 'The Perfect Piggy' care guide.

'The Perfect Piggy' gives you a set of explicit, practical, step by step guidelines that will help you with buying, owning, and training your dream pet. It's a complete care guide for Micro pigs, Potbelly Pigs and other breeds of pet pigs.

Seven things this book does for you:

1. Saves you money - micro pigs are expensive, but are you aware that there are cheap alternatives that are a fraction of the cost. In some cases you can even get a pet pig for FREE. This book explains where to find these cheaper and free alternatives.
2. Demonstrates how to train a pig - learn why some pet pigs are well behaved and others trash their owner’s homes? Follow the simple rules outlined in this book to ensure your pig is a model pet and a pleasure to keep.
3. Stops you being scammed – This book takes you though the characteristics of what a Micro pig is, and what it isn't. Following these simple rules will help prevent you becoming victim of the Micro Pig scammers and bad breeders.
4. Shows you how to buy the best quality stock - With the help of this book you’ll learn how to spot the difference between good quality pigs, and the bad ones.
5. Takes you the through the correct way to introduce your pig to other pets, like dogs. This book covers the safe way to introduce your pig to small children and other family members. This book also covers what you should do if things go wrong.
6. The book covers the legal guidelines when moving your pigs in USA and UK. Zoning regulations, CPH numbers, USDA laws and BPEX movements are all covered in this book. The book also offers general advice for those living in other countries.
7. Highlights the importance of correct diet. A good diet ensures your pet will live a long and healthy life, minimising the chances of obesity. This book explains in depth the things you should and shouldn't feed a
pet pig.

With full colour pictures of piglets and adults, you'll find out what a Micro Pigs actually looks like, and how big they really grow.

You'll also be shown how to setup the perfect pig proof fencing at your home, how to trim your pet's hoofs, and how to build the perfect piggy home for your prized pet.

All these sections are accompanied with high resolution photographs, diagrams, and there are clear explantations of everything throughout the book. This book will show you the best way to buy and take care of any pet pig.

Pigs are fantastic creatures when they are treated correctly, but they can be a nightmare to keep if you get their care wrong. Make sure you get off to the best possible start with the help of this book.

The author of this guide is Miss J Rowe an expert in Micro Pig care and the owner of LancashireMicroPigs.co.uk - one of the UK’s leading websites on miniature pigs.

LanguageEnglish
PublisherJoanne Rowe
Release dateMay 10, 2014
ISBN9781310501784
The Perfect Piggy: A guide to Teacup Pigs, Micro Pigs and other Pet Pigs
Author

Joanne Rowe

Been breeding micro pigs for several years and i run/own the UK's most popular Micro Pig and teacup pig site. I love pigs and read everything i can about them.

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    Book preview

    The Perfect Piggy - Joanne Rowe

    The Perfect Piggy

    A guide to Teacup Pigs, Micro Pigs and other Pet Pigs

    By Joanne Rowe

    Smashwords Edition

    Copyright © 2013 Joanne Rowe

    All rights Reserved

    No part of this book may be reproduced without permission of the authors. This book should not be lent, hired out or circulated in any other manner or form.

    Cover Illustration Copyright © 2013 by Joanne Rowe

    Book design and production Lancashiremicropigs.co.uk

    Editing by Vanessa Green

    Chapter opening illustrations © 2013 Joanne Rowe

    Author photograph by Joanne Rowe

    Ebook formatting by www.ebooklaunch.com

    Disclaimer:

    This book is not intended as a substitute for the medical advice of veterinarians. The reader should regularly consult a veterinarian in matters relating to their pig's health and particularly with respect to any symptoms that may require diagnosis or medical attention.

    This book is presented solely for educational and entertainment purposes. The author and publisher are not offering it as legal, medical, veterinary, or other professional services advice. Neither the publisher nor the individual author(s) shall be liable for any physical, psychological, emotional, financial, or commercial damages, including, but not limited to, special, incidental, consequential or other damages. Our views and rights are the same: You are responsible for your own choices, actions, and results.

    Contents

    Glossary

    Introduction

    Breeds Of Pet Pigs

    The British Micro Pig

    The Shape Of Micro Pigs

    The Kune Kune Pig

    Kune Kune Appearance

    The Kune Kune As A Pet

    The Potbellied Pig

    Appearance Of The Potbelly

    Potbellied Pigs In The UK

    Other Types Of Pig As Pets

    Which Breeds Are Best: The Conclusion?

    Micro Pig Size - How Big Do They Grow?

    Micro Pig Size And Height

    How Big Do They Grow...?

    Pig Scams And Bad Breeders

    It's Going To Stay Small

    Conclusion About Micro Pig Size

    Buy A Pig Or Adoption

    Introduction

    Points To Consider

    Adopting From A Sanctuary

    Being Offered A Pig

    Finding A Good Breeder

    Too Good To Be True?

    Buying Stock

    How Old Is Your Pig?

    Height And Size

    Teeth & Tusks

    Weight

    Behaviour

    Pig Age Conclusion

    Physical Features Of Healthy Pigs

    Head

    Body, Tails, Rump

    Hair And Skin

    Personality

    Pig Behavioural Problems

    Poo/faeces

    Size And Weight

    Conclusion

    Which Sex Is Best?

    Males (Boars, Barrows)

    Females (Sows)

    Spaying And Castration

    Spaying Your Pig

    Checking If A Pig Is Spayed Or Pregnant

    Getting Your Home Ready

    Getting Started

    Outdoor Pigs

    Wallows And Shade

    Steep & Slippery Surfaces

    Toilet

    Grazing

    Rooting

    Sleeping Areas

    Feeding Area

    Plants Bad For Pigs

    Fencing

    Wire Fencing

    Wooden Fencing

    Electric Fencing

    Watering Your Piggy

    Simple Watering System

    Automatic Watering System

    Plastic Or Metal Water Feeders: Which Are Best?

    Header And Non Header Tank Water Systems

    Header-less Water System

    Water Pipes

    Feeding Your Pig

    Feeding Your Pig

    Basic Feeding

    Grazing

    Pig Feeds

    Vitamins & Minerals

    Pig Treats

    Pig Behaviour And Food

    Making A Pig Lose Weight

    Pigs, Laws And Movements

    Your Country's Pig Laws - Find Them Out

    UK Pig Movements And Law

    CPH Number (UK Only)

    Moving Pigs & UK Buyer And Seller Requirements (UK Only)

    21 Day Standstill Period (UK Only)

    Moving Pigs In The USA And Zoning

    Moving Pigs In The USA

    The Journey Home

    Moving Adults Pigs

    Mixing Pigs

    Once At Home

    The First Few Days

    Introducing Other Pets

    Dogs And Pigs

    Pigs And Small Children

    Adult Pigs And Small Children

    Potty Training

    Two Types Of Potty Training

    Getting Started

    Young Piglets

    Starting The Training

    Partial Potty Training - Letting Your Pig Go Outdoors

    Dealing With Accidents And Relapses

    Behaviour And Training

    Behaviour

    Pig Aggression

    The Way A Pig Sees The World

    The Terrible Twos

    Harness Training

    How To Harness Train

    Good Habits From The Start

    Food

    Boredom

    Pair Of Pigs

    Pig Toys

    Rooting Box

    Discipline

    Pig Tricks

    Pig Health

    Diagnosing Problems

    Vaccinations

    Rabies

    Pseudorabies (Aujeszky's Disease)

    Worming

    Lameness

    Heat Stress And Prevention, Sunburn

    Sunburn

    Pig Lice

    Mange And Scabies

    Skin Care

    Old Age Pigs (OAPS)

    Hoof Care

    Tools For The Job

    Hoof Care And Piglets

    How To Trim Your Pig's Feet

    Problem Pigs And Untamed Animals

    The Rolling Technique

    Sedation

    Tilt Table/pig Slings

    Pig Chutes And Tilt Tables

    Preventative Tips

    Breeding Pigs

    Unexpected Pregnancies

    Selecting Animals

    Getting Setup

    The Sow

    Farrowing

    Nesting Area

    Bringing The Sow In To Farrow

    The Birth

    Helping A Sow Give Birth

    Post Birth

    The First Two Weeks

    Castration

    Weaning

    Conclusion

    Useful Sites And Links

    Sanctuaries

    Useful Video Links

    Further Reading

    Glossary

    Here is an explanation of some of the technical terms used throughout the book:

    1. Sow - Female pig.

    2. Gilt - Female pig. This term is applied to them just before they farrow.

    3. Boar - Uncastrated male pig.

    4. Barrow - Castrated male pig.

    5. Swine - Another word for pigs.

    6. Farrowing - Giving birth.

    7. Vulva - External parts of the sow's genitals.

    8. Sow Nuts - Dry feed designed for pigs, usually comes in pellet form.

    9. Hogging - Also known as 'monthly cycle', 'come into heat', 'heats' or 'in season'. This is the oestrous cycle of a sow.

    10. Hogs - Another term used for pigs but it usually means the domestic farm breeds reared for meat

    Introduction

    This book originally started out as a short, seven-page care guide that we used to give to people who bought Micro Pigs from our farm in Lancashire, England.

    Our little guide simply outlined the basics of Micro Pig care, and ensured that the new owners got off to the best possible start. Our original guide was a real success and many of our customers found it really helpful.

    One day we decided expand on the things in the guide, we thought we'd try and write everything we knew about pet pigs and Micro Pigs. The result is the book you are reading now.

    We've learnt a lot in the years that we have been keeping and breeding these types of pigs, and we want to pass on the benefit of our experience to any new, or existing, owners.

    The aim of this guide is to give you lots of practical hints and tips. If you follow our advice you and your new pet will get off to a great start.

    This book has been written primarily for British and American owners. Unlike other books we will cover the laws concerning pigs in their respective countries. We also offer some general advice for those folk who live in other countries.

    I am fond of pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals. -Winston Churchill

    Breeds of Pet Pigs

    Coloured Micro Piglets Grazing

    The British Micro Pig

    The origins of the British Micro Pig can be traced back to Cumbria, England. In 1995, a man named Rob Rose (www.valleyofthepigs.co.uk) was the first person in the UK to create the first generation of the breed we now call 'Micro Pigs'.

    The first generation of Micro Pigs were much larger than the pigs you see today. Rob achieved these sizes through selectively breeding the smallest and fittest animals with each other. Slowly, overtime, he managed to reduce the adult sizes of these pigs, eventually resulting in the Micro Pigs we see today.

    Selective breeding is commonly used in the farming industry, and has been for hundreds of years. Generally the desired traits in pigs have been for a bigger animal with more meat, fat, and weight, with the Micro Pig the process was simply reversed.

    The actual British Micro Pig (and other worldwide equivalents) is a hybrid; it's the result of crossbreeding various standard breeds with miniature Potbellied pigs. The purpose of this crossbreeding was to produce a small pig, in a variety of colours, with a good temperament.

    Another misconception about these pigs is that the New Zealand Kune Kune was used in the breeding of the British Micro Pig. This is not true; the Kune Kune should never be used in the breeding of these pigs. If you come across pigs which have been bred with Kune Kunes then these pigs are not true British Micro Pigs. Be wary of breeders making such claims.

    There are other breeders around the world who have achieved the same result via a different path. In the US, the Royal Dandy is another breed famous for being a small pet pig. I've also heard of several other Micro Pig breeds in Europe and other parts of the world.

    There has always been a demand for a small pig which makes a great pet. It should come as no surprise that various breeders around the globe have come up with their own solutions to fulfil this demand. Who came first? Well, no one knows. Some breeders have kept records, some haven't. With no official global regulator, or pedigree system, no one can actually be sure. Personally, I don't think it matters much when buying a pet pig, there are far more important things to consider. One thing we have always told people about these pigs is that the size of them doesn't make them easier or harder to care for - it's all about how you keep them: and that's the basis of this book.

    The Shape of Micro Pigs

    One thing to bear in mind about these animals is their shape. As mentioned earlier the Micro Pig is a hybrid - it's a mixture of pig breeds - so their shape can vary.

    Some Micro Pigs can be closer to their original Potbellied ancestors; this can be evident in their shape and stature. Black Micro Pigs are the greatest example of this and bear the closest resemblance to their original Potbellied ancestors. The black piglets share a lot of features with their original Potbellied parents, including: a pug nose, a dish shaped face, and a prominent pot belly.

    The black type piglets are often the smallest in height of the various different coloured varieties Micro Pigs due to their genes being more closely aligned with the common potbelly.

    Other Micro Pigs, especially the coloured varieties (pinks, gingers, browns and any non-black pigs) have less of the Potbellied genes inside them and their shape will usually resemble their non-Potbellied forefathers. Various different breeds including Gloucester, Tamworth and Berkshire have been used in the breeding of micro pigs, and evidence of their genetic heritage can be seen in their shape.

    The coloured Micro Pigs are usually taller than their black counterparts due to the introduction of non-Potbellied genes to their family history. The differences in height can vary greatly depending on which generation of pigs you are looking at. However the coloured pigs can have the illusion of looking smaller due to their frame and girth being smaller. There is also the lack of the pug nose, and dish shaped face, that the potbelly is famous for.

    Both types of pig do share the trait of having a straight tail. Any legitimate Micro Pig should have a straight tail (non-curly), this is an important feature to keep an eye out for when buying a Micro Pig. Curly tails can be an indication that you might be buying, or looking at, a domestic hog, so please beware.

    The Kune Kune Pig

    Kune Kune Piglets

    Kune Kune are a very popular pig from New Zealand. During the 19th century it was imported to New Zealand, from Asia, by whalers. The origins of the pig before this time are unclear.

    In the early 1900s the pig grew in popularity with New Zealand's native Maori. In Maori the word Kune Kune means 'fat and round'. The Maori prized the pig due to its friendly nature, its tendency not to roam, and its great grazing ability (the pig could be fattened on grass alone).

    During the mid-20th century the popularity of the pig dropped; modern commercial breeds were gaining recognition and were preferred for use in pork production. More traditional breeds like the Kune Kune were slowly made redundant by their more efficient cousins.

    The breed was thought to be nearly extinct by the 1980s. There was estimated to be only around fifty purebred Kune Kune left in New Zealand. But thanks to the efforts of a handful of New Zealand breeders a recovery program was put in place that helped save the breed.

    In the 1990s the breed was imported into the UK for the first time. Later, around the mid-90s, they

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