Pig Keeping Course

 

Keeping rare breed, free-range pigs can be incredibly rewarding. Watching them frolic outside in the open air, wallowing, rooting and foraging, gives you a very warm glow inside. Knowing that you are helping to ensure the survival of the breeds also adds to this unique experience. And once you have tasted home produced traditional breed pork you will wonder how you survived without it! However, rushing headlong into pig ownership without proper consideration of all the implications is a recipe for disaster!

 

• There are a myriad of rules and regulations to be followed.
• Pigs need appropriate housing and space to run around.
• Pigs can eat you out of house and home.
• Pigs will plough up your land,
• Or your neighbours' land!
• Pigs may start small but they can grow to be very big.
• Pigs like all animals can get sick and die.
• Pigs (if not eaten) can live for 20 years - this is a very long-term commitment!

To find out if pig-keeping is for you (or simply to learn more about these endearing animals) we are running several pig keeping courses this year. These will be 'hands on' sessions covering everything from Choosing your Weaner to Making Pigs Pay. You will be able to handle our pigs, check out their accommodation and sample the pork. You will also be able to ask questions on anything (piggy related)!

Come and learn from our experiences

Dates Available:

Saturday 6th February 2010

Saturday 6th March 2010

Saturday 10th April 2010

Saturday 8th May 2010

Saturday 5th June 2010

Saturday 3rd July 2010

Sunday 26th September 2010

All courses start at 10am and finish at 4pm

Private Groups

If you would like a private session for yourself and your friends we can organise this at a date to suit you. These group courses are tailored to meet your specific needs so will concentrate on those aspects of pig keeping which are of most interest to you. If you simply want to spend all day outside with the pigs this can be arranged. Similarly if you want to spend most of your time looking at the business side of things this can be accommodated too. Or even if you are wanting a fun piggy party we can do this too!

You choose the Date

You choose the Content

It really is up to you.

Cost

The Standard course costs £89 per person.

Private groups cost £99 per person with a minimum cost of £396 for the group.

All courses include roast pork lunch, course booklet, tea, coffee and cake! There are no hidden extra costs!

Prices are inclusive of VAT.

Gift Ideas

Book as a gift for someone and we will send you our very own Piggy card as well.

Book Now

To book on one of these courses please send us your preferred date by emailing curly.tails@emmaspigs.co.uk or calling 07876 597668. We will send you a confirmation e-mail and invoice with integrated Pay Pal button. This enables you to pay by credit card/ debit card or direct from your account. Alternatively you can pay by cheque. Once you have booked we will then send you full course details, including directions.

Feedback

"Hi Everyone, Sorry it's taken a long time but I wanted to thank you all for such a good day at the pig keeping course on 6th March. You really do have the balance right between practical and theory, coupled with a relaxed and easy going approach. I have already recommended you to some other people who may be interested in doing the course. I will definitely be coming for the butchery course when you start them." S Mizen (Gloucestershire)

"The course was just the right mix of practical and theory. (You are obviously very knowledgeable about pigs in general.) My favourite part was the hands on time with the pigs and the food, which was superb" R Hullah (Staffs)

"Great value for money, and a must for anyone thinking of getting pigs" C. Wright (Pembrokeshire).

"Thoroughly enjoyed it. Really good depth of knowledge and information passed on. Lovely to see people so genuinely passionate about pigs" M-J Houlton

"I thought the meal / tea, cakes etc. and the content of the day was very good value for money. I can't think of anything I would improve. Thank you" R. Wastie.

"The course was very good, it explained everything anyone should know about pigs. Excellent!" M Jones (Staffordshire)

"I enjoyed weighing and feeding the pigs. The whole day was really good fun. Thanks" T Lennox (Shropshire)

"Jolly good fun all round and also inspiring" P. O'Higgins (Oxfordshire).

"Thanks for a wonderful day. Nick loved his present and we both learned a lot. We will definitely be recommending you to everyone we know. All the best for the future! :)" A Hancock (London)

"I own a training company so I tend to be very critical of other peoples courses, however I thought your Pig Keeping course was excellent. It had a great mix of activities both outside with the pigs and in the classroom and held my attention throughout. I can honestly say it was very helpful in making my decision to keep pigs. Thank you for a great day. " R. Leaver (Herefordshire)

"My favourite part of the course was interacting with all the pigs and all the valuable information. It was a great experience. Thank you for a wonderful day" A. Wright

"My favourite part of the course was playing with the large variety of pigs - especially putting a thermometer up their bottoms!" M. Boulcott

"Really really enjoyed the day. It answered all of my questions. Thank you so much" C Lennon

"Despite the cold weather I had a great day learning all about pigs. My favourite part was worming the piglets and feeding the pigs. The food was great too." A Masih

"Good value for money. Initially looked at other courses but they were much more expensive and lunch was extra!" H Wilson (Beds)

"I would love to come again. This experience has made me want pigs even more" J Turnham (Bucks)