The Latest fashion in farming? Micro Pigs!

A PEVENSEY Bay family is leading the way in breeding the latest trendy pet – a micro pig.

Micro pigs, or teacup pigs as they are sometimes called because of their diminutive dimensions at birth, behave just like their bigger brethren.

But aside from a little collateral damage to lawn and borders, what isn’t there to like about these tiny animals, which even when fully grown stand only 14 inches tall and weigh in at just 65lbs?

Demand for micro pigs has soared over recent months, not least because celebrities like Harry Potter film star Rupert Grint reportedly has one, and they now change hands for several hundreds of pounds each.

One lucky owner is Pevensey Bay mum Helen Burton, 38, who has created her own Pink Garden Farm to breed pets suitable for people with limited space at home or who are looking for pets that are easy to care for.

She said, “My 11-year-old daughter Jodie helps me look after our micro pig, George, who’s now about the size of a Yorkshire terrier and the most adorable creature to have around the house.

“He’s low maintenance, not particularly noisy, very clean and incredibly affectionate. He’ll be fully grown by the age of two and so probably about the size of a Labrador.”

Micro pigs are highly intelligent – pigs being the fourth most intelligent species after man, monkeys and dolphins – and since they have hair not fur, favoured pets for people with allergies.

They derive from miniature pot-bellied pigs crossed with Tamworths, Kune Kunes and Gloucester Old Spots.

Helen and Jodie recently took George along to a weekend fair at Michelham Priory, Upper Dicker, to highlight their enterprise for breeding unusual pets.

Another of their companions is Obi, a giant tortoise, who is the perfect counter to his pint-sized chum.

Helen will shortly be launching a website to let people know more about her Pink Garden Farm.

story source : Hastings Observer