1.  A Saddleback weaner, is a piglet which has just been weaned from sucking the sow, usually 6-8 weeks old (in my opinion NOT a good time to buy a pig as it is very stressful leaving the Saddleback sow with the changes this implies).
2.  A Saddleback Grower, is a strong little blighter that has got over weaning and has established a strong gut flora to manage the creep feed, usually10-14 weeks of age.(This is a good time to buy pigs that should happily live outside during the spring, summer, or autumn). Pedigree British Saddleback growers, registered with the BPA will cost £150-£250, depending on the quality. Pure Bred British Saddleback's, which are not deemed by the breeder to be fit for individual registration, will cost approx £60 to go on to be pork or bacon pigs. These will include mis-marked pigs which may be solid black.
3. A young Saddleback gilt should be an individually registered pig of 4-6 months or even older (possibly up to 12 months old) which has not had the opportunity of the pleasure of the boar. The breeder has decided that these display all the correct British Saddleback traits, have an even underline of a minimum of 12 teats,have a nice set of feet supporting strong elegant female legs,with ears that are lopped not at all pricked. Ideally this Saddleback gilt should be from a litter of 8 or more to carry forward the females fecundity. Saddleback gilts of this age will cost between £250-£300.
4.  A young British Saddleback boar will be as the gilt above but with a fine set of balls and display masculine characteristics.This young boar will usually be untried and not served any gilts.When buying a young boar it is essential to ensure that it has not been kept in isolation away from other pigs. Why, because young boars when first introduced to gilts can become over excited,or if introduced to larger sows can be put off for life by the savagery of the sow. Quality young Saddleback boars will cost between £250-£500 .
5.  A British Saddleback Gilt which has been running with a Saddleback boar,which may have been seen to be served by a pedigree Saddleback boar, BUT CANNOT BE GUARANTEED IN PIG, usually 10-15 months old,will usually cost approx £350-£400.
6. A British Saddleback gilt ,served and showing a lot of bag perhaps 3-4 weeks off farrowing, THEREFORE GUARANTEED IN PIG, will cost £500-£650, as will a pedigree Saddleback sow of proven breeding .
7. A working Saddleback boar which has offspring on the ground is sometimes available and worth his weight in gold.Good breeding British Saddleback Boars are hard to come by and I was fortunate to pick one up from the BPA sale that covered 12 gilts for me. Boars of this ilk range from the killing price of £250-£550 and can go on working until 7or 8 years old if not allowed to get too fat and heavy.
By buying registered British Saddleback pigs from an established breeder you will be sure to obtain pigs of proven quality. Only registered British Saddleback pigs will ensure the continuity and improvement of this most magnificent of pigs. Saddleback's are well known as great mothers, regular breeders, providing the tastiest pork and bacon. They thrive in such a variety of conditions from free range to semi intensive. This last winter, the coldest for several decades, the dry sows and the boar lived outside in their 4 acre field with pig arks for shelter.
Some questions you might ask when buying Saddleback pigs????????
Are the pigs registered with the BPA?
Are the pigs wormed?
Have the pigs been injected with any immunizations?
What are the pigs eating? Will you sell me some food to help them get over the move?
How old are the pigs when were they weaned?
How long have they run with the boar? Is he registered?
Have the pigs run outside?
Do the pigs know what an electric fence is?
Can you show me other pigs that are not for sale perhaps the dam and sire?
How long will i have to keep them before killing them?
What do I need to move the pigs? (A good breeder should have the licence's needed to move the pigs)
Do I need to bring my holding number?
What sort of payment will you accept?
Will the pigs fit in a box on the back seat of my car?
etc...........etc............etc..............
Please think of your own questions as the more you ask the more you will know and usually keepers of British Saddleback pigs are more than happy to share their knowledge. I AM!

 

The answers to my questions can all be found on the Questions and Answers page