We no longer keep KuneKune, but keep this page to remember them.
Kunekune Pigs
The Kunekune pig comes from New Zealand. How they got there is a mystery as they are not indigenous to that country. They were kept by the Maoris for meat, living not in enclosures, but free to scavenge around the houses. This probably explains their love of humans and excellent temperament. In 1976 things were looking desperate for the Kunes, and very few were left, but thanks to Michael Willis and John Simister buying every Kune they could find, 18 in all, the New Zealand Kunekune pig association was formed. They have done an excellent job and there are now over 1000 pigs in New Zealand.
Kunekune pigs vary from 24" to 30" high and weigh between 140-220 lbs. They are covered in long hair, which can be straight, wavy or curly. There is a wide range of colours, from cream through gold, tan and brown to black. They also come in a variety of spotty colours. An interesting feature is they have a pair of tassels under their chin called Piri Piri. They have a medium to short head with either prick or semi lop ears. Their body is best described as non-extreme, not long and lean like a commercial pig, or short and pot bellied like the Vietnamese variety.
Kunes have a steady temperament, and are extremely easy to handle. They are very gentle, and ideally suit the new pig keeper who may be intimidated by larger more boisterous pigs. Because of their small size they do not cut the land up as much as larger pigs. Their short snout also prevents them from rooting much like other breeds.
What do Kunekune pigs eat? Kunes thrive on a diet of grass, fresh fruit and vegetables. They differ from commercial pigs in that they do not need high levels of protein. Kunes need a maximum of 16% protein, and by preference a little less. They also need much more fibre than commercial pigs. Kunekune pigs live on grass and vegetables in summer, in autumn this can be supplemented with apples. In the winter when the grass loses its goodness, then supplementing hay or grass pellets and sow and weaner meal mixed with water in to a hot mash can be given. This amount will vary with the condition of the pigs.
Are there any foods that I cannot feed them? Scraps of meat must never be fed to pigs. Waste food is defined by law as any meat, bones, blood, offal or other part of the carcass of any livestock or of any poultry, or product derived therefrom or hatchery waste or eggs or eggshells. Also no broken or waste foodstuffs (including table or kitchen refuse, scraps or waste) which contain or have been in contact with meat, bones, blood, offal or with any other part of the carcass of any livestock or of any poultry. Great care must be taken in this matter, for example bread from a meat sandwich must be not given to pigs because it has been in contact with meat, which is a prohibited food.
How much land do they need? As Kunes thrive on grass it is very important that they have enough grazing for most of the year. The normal recommendation for keeping outdoor pigs is 5-6 pigs to the acre. Depending on how much land you have and the number of animals, it must be mentioned that as well as eating grass they also walk on it all the time, and in wet weather the land will get cut up especially in gateways etc. you therefore get better use from your land if you can divide it up in to fairly small areas, either with pig wire or electric fencing. Your grazing will also last longer if you have some hard standing, a pen, a yard or a stable, where you can keep them if the land is very wet.
What kind of housing do they need? If you have a stables, then Kunes will do very well with a thick straw bed in the corner of it. Alternatively they will live in a sty or an Arc in the field. There are many different types of arcs including wood, plastic and corrugated metal. Kunes are hardy animals and do not really need an insulated arc. They will do well in any of the above with plenty of bedding in winter (barley or wheat straw or old hay is ideal).
What kind of fencing do I need? Pig wire as its name suggests is a good fencing although small piglets will go through the mesh. It is a good idea to run one strand of barbed wire or a rail along the bottom of the wire to prevent them pushing it up. Electric fencing can be very effective with pigs. With electric fencing several different pens of pigs can be kept in the same field, in separate units living in arcs. Also pigs can be constantly moved so they do not graze off their own droppings. They learn FAST what electric fencing is and that they do not want any part of it at all.
Do they need mud? Pigs can not regulate their temperature like we do, and need to wallow in summer to keep cool. You can either keep an area moist so they can turn it into mud or provide a wallow bath. If you do not provide a wallow they will often knock over their water in an effort to create one themselves. We use a kiddie pool and they love it. They only like to be wet when they are hot. In winter they are very unhappy to be wet and dirty as this can cause rheumatism and arthritis.
Are pigs really dirty and smelly? No, as discussed above, in winter they love to be warm and dry. Pigs never soil their beds if they have a choice and will always have toilet areas away from their beds that are easily cleaned.
Should I keep a boar? If you want to breed your females, then a male is NEEDED...unless you want to AI her. You could try finding someone who will offer a stud service, though I would rather just keep a male instead of going thru the other hassles of finding my girls mates when the time is right. If you do keep a male, then please remember that they should not be kept with the female while she is farrowing.
Do they grow tusks? All pigs grow tusks...both male and female. The females just grow slower and usually not as long...like the horns of goats. if you're worried by the tusks, they can be removed.
How many piglets do Kunes have? They have between 3-14 piglets, after a gestation period of 112-116 days. Pigs in general give birth easily, and Kunes are very good mothers who do not seem to mind you handling the piglets at all.
What should I feed the lactating sow and piglets on? 16% protein sow and weaner meal and access to plenty of fresh grass. Food intake may double during lactation.
What vaccinations do they need? Kunes need vaccinating against Erysipelas. There are two initial injections, followed by one every six months. If you are going to breed, they can be vaccinated against Parvo virus, which causes embryo death and mummification. The parvo virus can be carried in boars and sows without any symptoms and vaccination is good breeding management practice.
Do Kunekunes need worming? Yes, every 4-6 months. Good land management helps prevent worm numbers building up. Any frequently used paddocks should be mucked out daily. If you use electric fencing you can move the fence frequently so they are not eating off their own droppings. Ivomectin injections treat all worm infections, but oral preparations can be used if roundworm infection is heavy.
Can I eat Kunekunes? Yes. If reared outdoors on grass they will need to be approximately 9-12 months old before they are ready for slaughter.
What do I do in really cold weather? Cold weather advice - In extremely cold weather it is advisable to increase the amount of protien (pig feed) you are feeding to your pigs, ensure they have fresh de-iced water to drink and plenty of dry bedding. Where possible make sure that pigs are kept in groups of two or more for warmth.
The Kunekune pig comes from New Zealand. How they got there is a mystery as they are not indigenous to that country. They were kept by the Maoris for meat, living not in enclosures, but free to scavenge around the houses. This probably explains their love of humans and excellent temperament. In 1976 things were looking desperate for the Kunes, and very few were left, but thanks to Michael Willis and John Simister buying every Kune they could find, 18 in all, the New Zealand Kunekune pig association was formed. They have done an excellent job and there are now over 1000 pigs in New Zealand.
Kunekune pigs vary from 24" to 30" high and weigh between 140-220 lbs. They are covered in long hair, which can be straight, wavy or curly. There is a wide range of colours, from cream through gold, tan and brown to black. They also come in a variety of spotty colours. An interesting feature is they have a pair of tassels under their chin called Piri Piri. They have a medium to short head with either prick or semi lop ears. Their body is best described as non-extreme, not long and lean like a commercial pig, or short and pot bellied like the Vietnamese variety.
Kunes have a steady temperament, and are extremely easy to handle. They are very gentle, and ideally suit the new pig keeper who may be intimidated by larger more boisterous pigs. Because of their small size they do not cut the land up as much as larger pigs. Their short snout also prevents them from rooting much like other breeds.
What do Kunekune pigs eat? Kunes thrive on a diet of grass, fresh fruit and vegetables. They differ from commercial pigs in that they do not need high levels of protein. Kunes need a maximum of 16% protein, and by preference a little less. They also need much more fibre than commercial pigs. Kunekune pigs live on grass and vegetables in summer, in autumn this can be supplemented with apples. In the winter when the grass loses its goodness, then supplementing hay or grass pellets and sow and weaner meal mixed with water in to a hot mash can be given. This amount will vary with the condition of the pigs.
Are there any foods that I cannot feed them? Scraps of meat must never be fed to pigs. Waste food is defined by law as any meat, bones, blood, offal or other part of the carcass of any livestock or of any poultry, or product derived therefrom or hatchery waste or eggs or eggshells. Also no broken or waste foodstuffs (including table or kitchen refuse, scraps or waste) which contain or have been in contact with meat, bones, blood, offal or with any other part of the carcass of any livestock or of any poultry. Great care must be taken in this matter, for example bread from a meat sandwich must be not given to pigs because it has been in contact with meat, which is a prohibited food.
How much land do they need? As Kunes thrive on grass it is very important that they have enough grazing for most of the year. The normal recommendation for keeping outdoor pigs is 5-6 pigs to the acre. Depending on how much land you have and the number of animals, it must be mentioned that as well as eating grass they also walk on it all the time, and in wet weather the land will get cut up especially in gateways etc. you therefore get better use from your land if you can divide it up in to fairly small areas, either with pig wire or electric fencing. Your grazing will also last longer if you have some hard standing, a pen, a yard or a stable, where you can keep them if the land is very wet.
What kind of housing do they need? If you have a stables, then Kunes will do very well with a thick straw bed in the corner of it. Alternatively they will live in a sty or an Arc in the field. There are many different types of arcs including wood, plastic and corrugated metal. Kunes are hardy animals and do not really need an insulated arc. They will do well in any of the above with plenty of bedding in winter (barley or wheat straw or old hay is ideal).
What kind of fencing do I need? Pig wire as its name suggests is a good fencing although small piglets will go through the mesh. It is a good idea to run one strand of barbed wire or a rail along the bottom of the wire to prevent them pushing it up. Electric fencing can be very effective with pigs. With electric fencing several different pens of pigs can be kept in the same field, in separate units living in arcs. Also pigs can be constantly moved so they do not graze off their own droppings. They learn FAST what electric fencing is and that they do not want any part of it at all.
Do they need mud? Pigs can not regulate their temperature like we do, and need to wallow in summer to keep cool. You can either keep an area moist so they can turn it into mud or provide a wallow bath. If you do not provide a wallow they will often knock over their water in an effort to create one themselves. We use a kiddie pool and they love it. They only like to be wet when they are hot. In winter they are very unhappy to be wet and dirty as this can cause rheumatism and arthritis.
Are pigs really dirty and smelly? No, as discussed above, in winter they love to be warm and dry. Pigs never soil their beds if they have a choice and will always have toilet areas away from their beds that are easily cleaned.
Should I keep a boar? If you want to breed your females, then a male is NEEDED...unless you want to AI her. You could try finding someone who will offer a stud service, though I would rather just keep a male instead of going thru the other hassles of finding my girls mates when the time is right. If you do keep a male, then please remember that they should not be kept with the female while she is farrowing.
Do they grow tusks? All pigs grow tusks...both male and female. The females just grow slower and usually not as long...like the horns of goats. if you're worried by the tusks, they can be removed.
How many piglets do Kunes have? They have between 3-14 piglets, after a gestation period of 112-116 days. Pigs in general give birth easily, and Kunes are very good mothers who do not seem to mind you handling the piglets at all.
What should I feed the lactating sow and piglets on? 16% protein sow and weaner meal and access to plenty of fresh grass. Food intake may double during lactation.
What vaccinations do they need? Kunes need vaccinating against Erysipelas. There are two initial injections, followed by one every six months. If you are going to breed, they can be vaccinated against Parvo virus, which causes embryo death and mummification. The parvo virus can be carried in boars and sows without any symptoms and vaccination is good breeding management practice.
Do Kunekunes need worming? Yes, every 4-6 months. Good land management helps prevent worm numbers building up. Any frequently used paddocks should be mucked out daily. If you use electric fencing you can move the fence frequently so they are not eating off their own droppings. Ivomectin injections treat all worm infections, but oral preparations can be used if roundworm infection is heavy.
Can I eat Kunekunes? Yes. If reared outdoors on grass they will need to be approximately 9-12 months old before they are ready for slaughter.
What do I do in really cold weather? Cold weather advice - In extremely cold weather it is advisable to increase the amount of protien (pig feed) you are feeding to your pigs, ensure they have fresh de-iced water to drink and plenty of dry bedding. Where possible make sure that pigs are kept in groups of two or more for warmth.
