One-Day & Half-Day Pig Courses
"tell me and I’ll forget, show me and I’ll remember, involve me and I’ll understand”
******* Gift Vouchers available for Christmas, Birthday or other Special Occasions *******
Urgent vouchers can be sent via email for you to print or we can send inside a nice piggy card at no extra cost
One-day Pig keeping for novices, beginners and enthusiasts
This friendly, very hands-on course is designed for people who are starting out with pigs, want some hands on experience of pigs, are considering keeping pigs or for the novice pig keeper.
We will show you how to set up your facilities whether it is for a couple of fattening weaners or a full registered breeding herd.
Only experiencing pigs close up and personal can you decide if they are for you or not and on our one-day pig course the hands-on includes an introduction to stick and boarding pigs, not just going into pen after pen.
To cover all the aspects listed in the table below the course will be an approx 50:50 mix of indoor discussion and outdoor hands-on, with different aged pigs and an introductory lesson to stick and boarding. Emphasis is on the "hands-on" wherever possible to maximise your experience.
The course runs from 9.30am until 4.30 - 5pm and is restricted to a maximum of 8 people, so everyone gets hands on experience and there is lots of time for questions or to go over an area again if required. The cost of the novice course is £99 per person or £95 per person for two or more booking together and includes a comprehensive, colour course manual for each delegate to take away, complimentary refreshments including a Rare Breed Pedigree Pork lunch and full support after you have decided to keep pigs - In fact all you need to bring is a coat and clean wellies.
A £10 discount voucher will also be given to each delegate to attend the half-day handling course - valid until used.
Half-Day Intermediate Pig Handling Workshops
These half day workshops are designed to give people who wish to expand their pig handling experience, learn how to select a pig with show potential, have a practice at showing pigs, build confidence in handling pigs without having to cover the basics again or just want an afternoon in the company of pigs. There will be a bit of theory over coffee & cake but 90% is hands on practice with our trained and untrained pigs.
This course runs from 1pm to 4.30pm and will be limited to 4 people. The cost of the handling workshop is £55 per person (or £50 pp for two or more booking together) and includes a colour workshop manual, complimentary refreshments plus full continuing support should you need it. As this course is held almost completely outside, if the weather is vile then delegates will be given the option to change the day to any other weekend date when another course is not being held.
Further information on one-day course and workshop content
| Husbandry (one day course only) Housing, bedding and fencing Space required What to feed - incl. costs, quantity and frequency Basic stick and board handling including hands-on practice Livestock trailers | Identification of pedigree and non-pedigree animals incl. (both courses) Tagging / tattooing /slapmarking Ear notching Pedigree registration What do those registration numbers mean? |
| Keeping your herd healthy (one day course only) Keeping pigs healthy and the five freedoms De-worming and vaccination When and how to wean safely Biosecurity of your herd | Handling and training pigs (half day workshop only) Selecting a pig with show potential Good underline/bad underline Stick and board training (lots of hands on) Loading in a trailer (hands on, using a pig that has not loaded before) Showing and handling Show preparation Ring etiquette |
Rules and regulations incl. (one day course only) Defra / BPA paperwork CPH and herd number Travelling rules Movement forms Medicine regulations | Marketing and advertising your excess stock (one day course only) Free advertising sites Official breed sites Via your own website - it can be completely free! How much to charge for your weaners/older stock |
Purchasing stock (one day course only) What breed to choose Implications of breeding (pedigree vs. non-pedigree) Where to source stock Keeping a stud boar Pregnancy, farrowing and litter care Males or females? What to look for when buying including breed standards How much you should pay | When the time comes... (one day course only) At what weight or age do you send the pig off? How to source an abbatoir and a butcher What cuts of meat are available? How much can I sell the meat for and where? |
Although the courses have been designed with adults in mind, adult-accompanied, mature outlook older children are welcome
if you think they will be able to cope, particularly with the necessary discussion of "red tape".
STILL NOT SURE?? SCROLL DOWN TO OUR PREVIOUS COURSE DELEGATES TESTIMONIALS
How to Book your Pig Course or Workshop
| 1. | Contact us by whatever means suits you to reserve your preferred date (see below) Important:we may have just taken a booking for the vacant place(s) and not yet updated the site. |
| 2. | Complete a booking form and return via email or post together with payment of £99 (£190 for two, £285 for three, £380 for four) for the one-day course OR £55 (£100 for two) for the half-day handling course to secure your place(s). Please make cheques payable to M Giles, request a PayPal invoice, or ask for BACS details If you have a gift voucher then please enter the number in the space provided |
| 3. | By return you will receive a booking confirmation and directions either via email or post and we look forward to meeting you on the day. |
| | Local accommodation information: There is a Travel Lodge in Five Oaks Billingshurst which is within easy reach or alternatively Bed and Breakfast accommodation at the Old Pond Cottage is available in nearby Wisborough Green for those who wish for a bit of luxury before the course. For those who choose to use public transport we can arrange collection from Billingshurst Railway Station. |
Dates available in 2012
Weekend Pig Course dates still available for 2012 - new dates may be added according to demand 8 delegate places per course unless otherwise stated |
| We are taking bookings for our 2012 courses or alternatively get a few friends together and book a corporate day. Our Corporate days can be fully bespoke to your requirements and can include chickens or sheep if required. |
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| Sunday 26/02/12 | Novice One-Day Pig Course - 1 place reavailable |
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| Sunday 11/03/12 | Novice One-Day Pig Course- fully booked |
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| Sunday 25/03/12 | Novice One-Day Pig Course - fully booked |
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| Sunday 15/04/12 | Novice One-Day Pig Course - fully booked |
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| Sunday 22/04/12 | Half-Day Pig Handling Workshop (4 places) - 1 place available |
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Saturday 05/05/12 | Novice One-Day Pig Course - 6 places available |
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| Sunday 27/05/12 | Novice One-Day Pig Course |
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| Sunday 10/06/12 | Novice One-Day Pig Course - 7 places available |
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| Sunday 17/06/12 | Novice One-Day Pig Course - 6 places available |
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Futher 2012 dates available for booking | Novice One-Day Pig Courses 15th July, 12th August, 16th September, 14th October, 11th November. New dates will be added through the year according to demand |
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Private corporate days can be organised by special arrangement - just give us a call or use the contact us form.
A selection of the 2011 testimonials from the Courses
My pigs are here and I’m so pleased with them! Thanks so much for your help and enthusiasm that has got me this far! Heather (2012) previous course delegate
I know Michaela says you're there to be asked questions, but to say it and to go through with it, (and so many times!) with so much enthusiasm... Not to be taken for granted! Especially to a novice, such as myself :-) Sandra (2012) previous course delegate
I really appreciate all of your help. Neil wrote me such a long and useful reply the other day – it must have taken him hours! It’s lovely to have you both as a lifeline whilst I’m setting things up. Thanks again. Heather (2012) previous course delegate
Many thanks for a great day last Sunday: I was keen anyway but now I am even more keen. Thanks for the all the practical bits, but also for the inspiration especially about how to do right for your pigs. Jon
Just wanted to say how much we enjoyed the course and your enthusiasm and friendly input, and very well thought out content to the course, we are buzzing with inspiration as a result. I am sure we will have questions in the future, we think the saddle backs are too big for us and the space so think we will probably go for the lovely mangalitzas but we have to do a lot of fencing before we can go ahead, but I will get in touch with your friend Athena at Marringdean and see if she might still be running in spring as you did say she had sold her herd. Your fencing info in the goodie pack will be very handy in trying to sort that out. We were so lucky to have such lovely weather in nov especially as its so horrid today! Many many thanks for a wonderful course and hospitality and wonderful warm feeling that you extended to us all and being able to see your set up too.Sue & Keith
Thank you for a fantastic day yesterday, I thoroughly enjoyed everything about the day, and loved spending time with your pigs. One day, when I have more than a city flat, I shall definately be looking further into keeping some pigs! Thank you so much for a great atmosphere, lovely meat, great learning and a really engaging day. Phil.
I had an absolutely brilliant time with the three of you yesterday. Thanks so much for such a great day. I learnt so much and feel that I now have a really all-round idea of what I’m getting myself into! I will keep in touch! Heather
I just wanted to say thankyou for a lovely day last Sunday. I really enjoyed myself. the pigs were great, so was the company and the food was fab. I would recommend your course to anyone thinking of purchasing a pig!! even those like me who are just interested in pigs as pets!!! once again thanks for your help and advice i will be keeping in touch. Jacqueline.
Thank you so much for todays (25th Sept) pig keeping course. Elfed and I thoroughly enjoyed our day and it has definately confirmed in our minds that pigs are totally appropriate for our land and our lifestyle. I think we will spend the autumn and the winter coping with what we already have and getting things ready for the pigs to arrive and if I'm right that might tie in with Lotties' litter which would arrive in Dec/Jan and therefore be weaned and ready in March time - the perfect birthday present, I think I will put them on my wish list now!!
Thanks again for a great day, Elfed and Karina
Just a note to say a big Thank you for our time last Sunday (21st August). We both really enjoyed the course and found it most informative. It certainly has given us the desire and confidence to start keeping pigs. We will keep you informed as we go and know that there will be questions along the way.Again Many Thanks. Tim & Sue
Many thanks for a great day with your pigs and all the information that you provided which has certainly given us an insight into the whole subject of rearing pigs for meat and breeding. It was very interesting, particularly for me, the set up of the pig enclosures etc. GILL
Thank you so much for today. To say that I enjoyed it would be somewhat of an understatement, and I feel confident that I can look after pigs using good husbandry and bio-security. It was great to get hands on with some of the pigs today, I can't wait to get my own! Many many thanks, Sandra
I wanted to say thankyou for the pig course and how much we enjoyed it . Clare and I had a really fun , interesting and informative day . We thought you had the balance between classrooom and hands-on just right and we are sure that the course literature will be a very well-used resource in the future . The lunch was really good too . We were amazed to see photos of us steering ( or should that be steered by? ) your pigs up on the website the next day. Many thanks again for an excellent course Duncan & Clare
Thank you so much for such a fabulous day yesterday. We all three had a great time. Delicious pork lunch and cakes. I have definatly got Rob on side now to enjoy OUR new hobby!!! Simons wife isnt convinced shes not going to be roped into piggy chores, but we'll soon have her loving them !! Fencers came today to start fencing and Simon was on line last night looking at pig huts, its all go down here! we'll be in touch many thanks again. Mel Rob and Simon
THANKS FOR YOUR HELP AND SUPPORT. THE COURSE WAS VERY ENCOURAGING AND INTERESTING. WE WILL DEFINATLY GO AHEAD WITH IT Francis & John
Thank you both so much for a really enjoyable and informative day last Saturday, we both thoroughly enjoyed meeting you and your gorgeous pigs!!
I really wasn’t sure what to expect having no experience with pigs but I found your approach to pig keeping a really good mix of theory and practical without being daunting. I will definitely recommend you to any aspiring pig keepers! Sarah & Richard
Thank you for a great day, very informative, good fun, delicious dinner! We are now ready to get our pigs and have decided on Oxford Sandy & Blacks. Andy & Stephen
I really enjoyed the pig course and am now keen to get cracking on getting things set up. Angela
Just to say thank you for yesterday . We learnt a lot and had fun.. the memory of Joe handling a pig twice his size with the stick and board will stay with me for some time!! Nicola
Thank you both so much for such a great course, so informative and we came back very excited about keeping our pigs - Rachel & Jonathan
Many thanks for a wonderful day – very informative and highly enjoyable! I felt that you had the right balance between providing us with the information that we needed with the fun of being with the pigs. The lunch and tea were delicious too! - David
Thanks for a great course. We really enjoyed ourselves and felt we learned loads - Colin
A selection of the 2010 testimonials from the courses
Thank you very much for a very enjoyable day last Sunday. George and I found it really interesting and informative. The food was fantastic too! -Dan & George
Thank you so much for a great day on Sunday. Loads of information, adorable pigs, a laugh trying very unsuccessfully to walk one and delicious food. Mary
I just wanted to say a big thank you for this sunday. Tony & I really enjoyed the day, delicious food and such fun with the pigs. It was just the perfect balance of information and hands on. I hope that all went well with Lucy's litter. Very exciting leaving you knowing that there would be new borns within hours. Andrea
I just wanted to send through my thanks to yourself and Neil for a thoroughly enjoyable day with your pigs. What pleasures they are! Ben
We had a fabulous day yesterday. The course was great fun and really informative. As for the food.........! My personal highlight was walking Swaysie round with Neil. Theresa
"Thanks again to the whole family for a brilliant day yesterday. As I said to you, weeks of reading and googling wouldn't have given me half the information nor any of the experience I gained from your course. All I need now is my field..." Helen
"Thank you also for such a fab day yesterday, so informative and your pigs are lovely! Please also thank Neil and Oliver - you all work so hard!" Bridget
"Just a quick note to say thanks for a fantastic day yesterday. You covered every aspect from the curious-thinking-about-it amateurs (like us) to the more commercial side of pig rearing with great effect. This was Jayne's birthday present but we both thouroughly enjoyed our time and learnt so much. Clearly your stock is a happy one. All the best for the future and we'd recommend this course to anyone. Chris and Jayne
"Thank you all for a great day. I learnt so much. I had read a few articles and googled loads of things. But you can't beat talking to someone really doing it. The interaction with the animals cemented my longing to get some pigs. I really couldn't ask for more. The mix of hand on and factual was perfect.
You all really showed your passion for the animals and not just treated it as a way to make some money. You went that extra mile with everything, the course material, your knowledge and experience and your hospitality, the food and cakes were fabulous. " Sam
Just a quick note to thank you for a fantastic day yesterday, it was a really great experience. I am definitely hooked. Jason
"I wasn't expecting such a hands on day - a very nice surprise. The balance between theory and hands-on was perfectly pitched, I cannot wait to get started" Graham
"A perfect day, from feeding the pigs to the lunch to realising stick and boarding is not as easy as it looks" Tina
"Our only regret is that we didn't steal that really cute piglet.... what a course, what excellent value for money" Martin and Susan
"I cannot wait to be as passionate about my future pigs as you are about yours - quite simply the best course I have been on" Brenda
"you said continuing support after the course and you have been fantastic; helping to source my Middle White weaners and making sure we are still OK a few weeks later - I could not do it without your manual to refer to - huge thanks Heather
Thanks for the pig handling afternoon with you all -it was fab!! Gill
Your day course manual is brilliant you should get it published! Thanks for all your help -Shannon
Thank you for a great day on Saturday, We really enjoyed every minute and came away feeling confident of being able to look after pigs especially with your back up if we have any worries. We will certainly be intouch in the new year once we have fencing etc sorted. Thanking you again and would certainly recommend you to anyone thinking like us of having pigs - Terry and Caroline
Thanks for a great day on Saturday I really enjoyed myself and feel I've learned lots - Barley
Thank you so much for a really lovely day on saturday. It was such a spirited, hands-on course that I soaked up lots of great knowledge (and lemon drizzle cake)! We are forging ahead with our own piggy palace. Your relaxed and confident approach to pig keeping was so encouraging - I just hope I can follow your inspirational example. Many thanks also for the marvellous food - Candace
We had such a good time learning on your course, I'm still having trouble shutting up about it. I think my friends are thoroughly sick of me now, but soon they'll be here. We're planning on getting some around the beginning of next year, when the weather starts getting cheery again. I'll let you know of our progress. Thanks so much - Marie and Owen