Micro-pigs

[pegasus]

Can't believe the latest craze, micro-pigs! The dinky piggies have become the celebrity's pet choice. They are smaller than your average cat, they are loyal and affectionate. Fancy a pig sitting on your lap? Somehow I don't think they will be a serious contender for dogs and cats. :roll:

[joxville]

They'll come in handy if you get bored with them and fancy a quick bacon sandwich. ;)

[pegasus]

They'll come in handy if you get bored with them and fancy a quick bacon sandwich. ;)

Ha ha, perish the thought! :roll:

Being that pigs are the 4th most intelligent animal in the world, I reckon the pig would possess a 6th sense and do a runner, in order to save it's bacon, joxville!

[Kodiak]

I am sure I saw a TV Programme where a Country, I cant remember which one but somewhere in eastern block I think, was using Pigs to sniff out Cancer in Patients. They believe that Pigs can sniff Cancer at a very early stage and reduce deaths in this dreadful disease. Dont knock if it works I say.

[Liz]

I am sure I saw a TV Programme where a Country, I cant remember which one but somewhere in eastern block I think, was using Pigs to sniff out Cancer in Patients. They believe that Pigs can sniff Cancer at a very early stage and reduce deaths in this dreadful disease. Dont knock if it works I say.

Dogs can be trained to do this as well Kodiak and as pigs are more intelligent than dogs then I'm sure they could do the same.:D Some pet dogs have been known to alert their owners to cancer in this way.

These micro pigs look so cute and are supposed to make lovely pets.

[philupmaboug]

My OH is bending my ear for 1, you can house train them and teach them tricks and all sorts......mmmmmm thought! I maybe getting replaced :-(

Anyway I think they cost around the same as a pedigree dog or cat £500ish

[neepnipper]

Surely you would need to be registered to have one of these, it is still a pig after all, there is a lot of paper work involved in owning a pig you wouldn't just be able to take it out for walks like a dog because of movement regulations.

'Designer' animals do nothing for me I'm afraid.:(

[philupmaboug]

You are right, I read that you have to get some kind of special permission and papers to take it out in public.

[neepnipper]

For all you potential 'micro-pig' owners:

Identification and movement – pigs

Pig identification and traceability are integral to both disease control and maintaining consumer confidence in British produce. For this reason there are required standards for identifying and controls over the movement of pigs to prevent and trace the spread of any disease.
The sections below provide details on some of the key requirements in pig identification and movement, covering:

new herds
identification
movements
farm records
New herds

Whether you keep one animal as a pet or a commercial herd you need to be registered with Defra. Before moving livestock to your holding you need to apply to the Rural Payments Agency (http://www.rpa.gov.uk/) for a County Parish Holding (CPH) number for the land where the livestock will be kept.
Once you have your CPH you can move the livestock to your holding under a General Licence, which can be obtained from your Animal Health Divisional Office (http://forum.caithness.org/animalhealth/about-us/contact-us/search/index.asp). They will also be able to register your stock and send you a unique herd mark.

A guide for new keepers (http://forum.caithness.org/foodfarm/farmanimal/movements/pigs/documents/new_owner_guide.pdf)(PDF) - detailing identification and movement requirements.
Identification

All pigs being moved off their holding must be identified with their Defra herdmark using the ways which are listed below.

slapmark
eartags
tattoo
Specific details on each of these are available on Defra’s pig identification pages (http://forum.caithness.org/foodfarm/farmanimal/movements/pigs/id.htm).
You can also see a list of Slapmark equipment manufacturers (http://forum.caithness.org/foodfarm/farmanimal/movements/pigs/slapmark_makers.htm).
Exceptions

Pigs going to shows must also have a unique individual identification number.
Pigs under one year old NOT travelling to a market, slaughterhouse, show or abroad may be identified by a temporary mark.
Movements

Pigs moving to another holding, a market or to slaughter require an AML2 form, which can be obtained from you local authority oryour Animal Health Divisional Office (http://forum.caithness.org/animalhealth/about-us/contact-us/search/index.asp).
The person receiving the pigs must send a copy of the completed form to their local authority within 3 days of their arrival.
Further details can be found in the livestock movements (http://forum.caithness.org/foodfarm/farmanimal/movements/pigs/index.htm) section of the Defra website.
Standstill

When a pig moves onto your holding, no pig can move off for 20 days, except to slaughter or a slaughter market. Cattle, sheep and goats must respect a six-day standstill.
Further guidance on standstill periods, including details where exemptions apply, can be seen by visiting the livestock movements (http://forum.caithness.org/foodfarm/farmanimal/movements/pigs/index.htm) section of the Defra website.
Pigs in a Defra-authorised “pig breeding pyramid” as approved in writing by your Animal Health Divisional Office (http://forum.caithness.org/animalhealth/about-us/contact-us/search/index.asp) may also be exempt from the 20 day rule.
Enquiries about exemptions should be made to the Divisional Veterinary Manager at your Animal Health Divisional Office (http://forum.caithness.org/animalhealth/about-us/contact-us/search/index.asp).
For further information on pig breeding pyramids, contact: Livestock ID Branch, Defra, Area 5E, 9 Millbank, London, SW1P 3JR
Records

At least once a year, you must record the number of pigs you keep. You must also record all movement of pigs onto and off of your holding, noting the date of the movement, the identification mark on the pigs, the number of pigs moved and the address of the holding the pigs moved to or from.
You must retain this record for 6 years.