The KuneKune breed

Carrie (KuneKune)

Carrie is a KuneKune cross and has had 3 lots of piglets with Boris.  Carrie is a really good mother and very maternal. Previous piglets have been 10 and 9 and in April 2024 she had 3 surviving piglets. As soars have more piglets this normally means a drop in the number of piglets they will carry.   Carrie weighs about 200kg.

Very interesting fact:

Soars will grow enough teats for the first set of piglets which is the only mammal to be able to do this.  They are pregnant for 3 months, 3 weeks and 3 days, which gives the farmer an indication of when the piglets will be born.  The Soars come in season twice a year and the Boars will know when this occurs

Pigs can smell up to 3 miles

They are as intelligent as dogs and will learn their name 

General information on the KuneKune Breed

The KuneKune breed are an intelligent, friendly breed of pigs.  You will see several around our farm.  Look for Ivy Rose, Mia and Boris who are our permanent KuneKune pigs

What are the characteristics of the breed

  1. They have round bellies
  2. Stubby legs
  3. Short snouts
  4. Most of them will have one or more chin tassels which are called “pin, pin”
  5. Coats will vary in colour and pattern will range from speckled or blotchy to solid hue of brown, black, white, tan and gold

Can you spot the colours we have at Nicks farm?

Personality of the KuneKune breed

  • They are normally docile and have a friendly personality
  • Tend to have a small stature and are grazers if thoroughbred 
  • They love a belly rub
  • Enjoy human interaction

Did you know

 KuneKune is pronounced as “KooneyKooney” and this is Māori for fat and round- when you look at our pigs you will probably agree with this.  A thoroughbred will be able to survive on grasses alone.

What do pigs like to eat?

Quite a few foods: cooked broccoli, pitted apricots, cucumbers, dark green lettuce, cooked potatoes, grapes, pumpkins, all squashes, zucchini, spinach, kale, tomatoes, chard, carrots, pears, apples, berries, oranges, grapefruit, melons, pitted cherries, pitted peaches.  One of our volunteers brings in lots of carrots and veg for our pigs and Boris has been known to grunt for seconds if she does not offer at least two carrots

What noises does a pig make?

Oink, snort, squeal or grunt this can last up to 1 second 0.01

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