Are Kunekune Pigs Good for Meat? The Perfect Homestead Pig Jenny Graham, November 1, 2023November 7, 2023 When considering what breed of pig to raise on your small farm or homestead, you may be asking are kunekune pigs good for meat. While some farms prefer to raise commercial breeds of pigs, many homesteads choose the kunekune pigs for not only their source of pork but also as lard pigs. Let’s Explore if Kunekune Pigs Are Good for Meat on Small Farms Kunekune pigs are good for meat on a small farm or homestead for many reasons. They are a small size with a docile nature. Kune Kunes tend to be easier keepers than most commercial pig breeds. What Are Purebread Kunekune Pigs: New Zealand Heritage Breed Kunekune pigs are a unique breed of pig that originated in New Zealand but are kunekune pigs good for meat? They are known for their smaller size, friendly and docile nature. It is said that kunekune pigs produce the nicest pork. While many homesteaders claim that the best part is abundance of lard. What Makes Kunekune Pigs Good For Meat and Homesteading? When it comes to smaller scale homesteading, kunekune pigs can be a better choice than large breed meat pigs. First-time pig farmers may find that this smaller pig is easy to manage, easier on the land, and keep the cost of raising pork to a minimum. Kunekunes are a wonderful dual purpose food source between being a meat pig and a lard breed. What Type of Pork Do You Like? Determining what type of pork you like may determine if Kunekune pigs are good for meat. Kunekune pigs are well known for their deep, red marbled meat. Some call it the kobe beef of pork or the ultimate pasture-raised pork. However, Kunekune pork chops and such are smaller cuts since they come from a smaller pig. Are These Smaller Size Breeds of Pigs Right for Your Homestead? What will benefit your small farm or homestead? If you are looking to have a sustainable, low cost food source that gives smaller amounts of meat and lard at a time then kunekune pigs might be the best way to achieve that. They are also a great choice if you are interested in being your own at home butcher. Would a Larger Meat Pig Breed Benefit Your Small Farm Better? If your small farm is looking for a large quantity of pork at a time to stock the freezer full, or to sell in pork shares, a larger breed meat pig may be what you want to consider. These types of pigs can be more expensive on the feed costs, harder on the fences, and depending on size, you may want to use a butcher shop to process. Raising Kunekune Pigs Vs Commercial Pig Breeds There are pros and cons to each type of pig to raise on your small farm or homestead. To make an informed decision you really have to take a close look at what you need and want on your homestead. They serve different purposes with different end results. Let’s dive into the details. Are kunekune pigs good for meat on your homestead? Do You Need Lard Pigs? Maybe your homestead is looking to have a plentiful supply of healthy, rendered lard. Kunekune pigs are a great way to get lots of fat to render into lard. It is a cost effective alternative to oils and butter. Lard Breed Pigs (Fat Pigs) Many homesteaders are turning towards raising lard pigs for heir dual purpose qualities of meat production and being lard pigs. It doesn’t just stop at the kunekune pig breed, there are a few others that have the same qualities that are worth a mention. Mangalitsas American Guinea Hogs Idaho Pasture Pigs The Difference Between Kunekune Meat and Commercial Meat Pigs Kunekune meat is a stark contrast to your typical pork, which is often referred to as the other white meat. When comparing the two, they are completely different types of pork and something you’ll want to keep in mind when considering what type of meat pig you will raise. Would you like your pig to work for you? Having a dual purpose animal is always a win-win on a small farm or homestead. Larger breed meat pigs can be used to till up areas that need work, like your future garden plot. Whereas kunekune pigs don’t do as much tilling or rooting up of the land, unless they have been left in an area too long. They are better suited for grazing your pasture and spreading fertilizer as they go. So which does your small farm need? Or maybe you could benefit from both. How Much Kunekune Meat Do You Want? While you will still get a substantial amount of pork out of a kunekune pig, will it be enough to stock your freezer? Is that red, well marbled, but slow growth pork something that will be suitable on your homestead? Or do you have a large family that you are trying to feed? There’s always the possibility of raising at least two to three kunekunes at a time to get the bulk of meat that your family needs. ‘ How Much Lard Does Your Small Farm Want? Ranking high on my list of a valuable resource to have a stock pile of is lard. It can be used an an oil or butter replacement and can also be used to make soap. Kunekunes are fat pigs that give and abundance of fat to render into lard. Making them a great dual purpose animal to raise. What About Temperament? Do They Have a Friendly Nature? Trust me on this one, you’ll want a breed of pig with a docile nature, especially if raising pigs around kids or elderly. Kunekunes are excellent, friendly pigs when it comes to human interaction. They always love a belly rub. One of the scariest moments I’ve had on my farm was being charged at and bitten by a very large commercial meat pig. Safety is a top priority when it comes to raising any type of livestock. Be sure to choose wisely. Why Small Farms Should Consider Raising Kunekune Pigs With their mild mannered disposition and lack of rooting up the land, kunekunes are easy keepers when it comes to pigs. They can be kept in a variety of ways, are easy on the fencing, and inexpensive to feed if they are pasture-raised pigs. How to Raise Kunekune Pigs on Your Homestead Kunekune pigs are adaptable to many different climates and conditions. With proper shelter they can thrive in both cold weather and in the hot summer months. They are well suited to keep in smaller areas with not much space or rotated around larger pastures with proper fencing in place. How Easy Are They to Contain? Here’s the best part, they are much easier to contain and much less destructive that the traditional large meat pig breeds. While you can choose to house them in permanent fencing, like traditional hog panels, they are better suited and able to be raised and rotated as pasture-raised pork. What Fencing Do Kune Kune Pigs Need? First, lets talk perimeter fencing. You must have secure perimeter fencing to keep all your livestock in. Don’t skimp on this. Five strand barbed wire is a must, at a minimum, for most livestock. If rotating animals, like pigs, sheep, or cows around the pasture you can use portable electric fencing with a solar charger and a good ground rod. There are different types of portable electric fencing made for different types of livestock. Premier One makes an excellent electric netting for hogs, specifically designed for pigs. Housing & Shelter When it comes to housing and shelter for any type of pig they are pretty much all the same. Depending on your climate, pigs only require a basic three sided shelter with a roof. In a southern climate, it needs to be well ventilated and shaded to keep them cool. A good mud pit helps with this also, as they have no sweat glands. The mud keeps them cool. Most breeds of pigs are cold weather hardy, they just need to be able to get of the elements. Special attention does need to be paid when piglets are born though. They can easily die in the cold so a heat lamp or heat source is needed. Pasture Raised Pigs, Grazing, & Feed Quality Here’s where kunekune pigs really shine. They are able to be pasture-raised pigs with minimal feed or grain input if you have fresh water and sufficient, quality pasture to rotate them through. They thrive on pasture grazing. however, low quality pasture may require supplemental feed, especially with expectant or nursing sows. Since they have a short snout, they do minimal rooting to the pastures and tend to not destroy fence lines, making kunekune pigs good for meat on the homestead. Cost of Keeping Kunekune Pigs The cost of raising kune kunes as pasture-raised pork can keep your feed costs low if you have quality grazing pasture. In my opinion, this makes keeping kunekune pigs good for meat. Reduced Feed Costs Pasture raised pork has the ability to reduce the feed bill. By rotating them around a few different pastures, giving each pasture a rest period, you unlock the ability to improve your pastures for your livestock. If you live in cold weather, you can supplement hay or grain through the winter months. Kunekunes can also be fed a variety of kitchen scraps and fresh fruit. Their low feed input makes kunekune pigs good for meat. Sustainable Free Pork That’s right! You can have sustainable, free pork with kunekunes and even other large breed pigs. If your small farm invests into a good kunekune boar and a kunekune sow, you can breed litters of piglets. Selling feeder pigs at weaning while keeping two or three for your homestead may pay for the cost of keeping pigs. You may even make a profit if pasture-raising kunekunes. Easy to Keep in Good Health As a whole, meat pigs have very little health problems if fed and cared for. If anything, your older breeding stock may need to be wormed on a regular basis to keep them in good health. The Benefit in Raising Kunekune Pigs for Meat Production When it comes down to it, kunekune pigs have so many great qualities. From red marbled meat and an abundance of lard to being easy keepers that won’t tear up your land. They are also easy to handle and butcher at home with their manageable size, making kunekune pigs good for meat. Grow an Abundant Homestead The benefits of keeping and raising kunekune pigs are abundant. After all, isn’t that what we are after? An abundant homestead? Added Health Benefits Kune Kune Meat Pork from pasture-raised pigs has a more favorable balance of omega-3 to omega-6 fatty acids compared to conventionally raised pork. Omega-3 fatty acids are known for their heart-healthy benefits. Pasture-raised pork also has higher levels of anti-oxidants, amino acids, vitamins A and E, as well as minerals like zinc, iron, and selenium. Kunekune Meat is the Better Choice for Flavor Many people find that pasture-raised pork has a richer and more robust flavor compared to conventionally raised pork. The enhanced flavor can make it more enjoyable to eat, potentially reducing the need for excessive seasoning and added fats. Pasture-Raised Pigs are in Good Health Since pasture-raised pigs have access to open spaces, they usually receive less medication and artificial additives in their diet. Pasture-raised pork is less likely to contain residues of antibiotics, hormones, and other chemicals commonly found in conventionally raised pork. The Perfect Choice for Small Farm Sustainability In my personal opinion, choosing pasture-raised pork supports more humane and sustainable farming practices. The pigs have more space to move and express natural behaviors. They often have access to pasture, which benefits both the animals and the environment. Is quality nutrition on a sustainable, small scale important to you? You could also look into keeping chickens for this reason. The Challenges of Raising Kunekune Pigs for Meat Production Are Kunekunes Right for Your Small Farm? They may not be and that’s ok. Some small farms prefer a meat pig that will grow out in 6-12 months vs.18-24 months. Their slow growing nature is a disadvantage to some, as well as their small size. This may answer the question, are kunekune pigs good for meat, in a different way. Butchering at Home Vs Butcher Shop For many years we enjoyed the conveniences of using a butcher shop to process, cut, and wrap our harvest. In the past, our meat pigs were all large commercial pig breeds that weren’t necessarily easy to process at home. As our children have grown and don’t eat at home as much, we have found ourselves needing less meat and choosing to raise smaller livestock. We have also found the joy and satisfaction that comes from raising and butchering our animals at home. What Age Do You Butcher a Kunekune? Kunekune meat will be ready to butcher around 18-24 months of age. Home Butcher Resources Butchering your own animals at home definitely requires some planning. Will you hoist the animal or use a cradle style table to clean and gut? You’ll also need large tubs and buckets to catch innards and such. Quality butchering supplies like large cutting boards, bone saws, boning knives, and fleshing knives make the job easier. Don’t skimp on these. You’ll also want to consider if you will hang your harvest to rest or let it rest in a cooler. For years, we chose to use a large cooler for resting the meat. Since we now home butcher a lot of our meat, we decided on building a small insulated walk-in cooler in our barn. It is set up using a Cool-Bot and a standard window ac unit. Its keeps our walk-in cooler at a very cool 34 degrees, which is perfect for resting meat. Hanging Weight of Kunekune Pigs The hanging weight of Kunekune pigs can vary depending on if was a kunekune boar or a kunekune sow. Hanging weight of kunekunes is usually between 100 and 200lbs. This makes kunekune pigs good for meat for the home butcher. Slaughter Time Once you get into practice of butchering at home, you can easily have your harvest resting in the cooler in under an hour. The resting time will be decided on a couple factors, like age of the animal and personal preferences. I know some butchers who only rest pigs overnight, whereas some rest for seven days. If using a butcher shop, you can expect the process to take up to two weeks. FAQ’s Can You Get Bacon From Kunekune? Yes, you can get bacon from a kunekune pig. Since they are considered a lard pig, you may find that the bacon has a higher fat content compared to a commercial pig breed. This also means less bacon than large meat pigs. How Fast Do Kunekune Pigs Grow? Compared to large commercial pig breeds, kunekune pigs grow at a much slower rate. When it comes to fast food they definatly don’t qualify. How Big Will They Get? Kunekune pigs can range in weight, usually between 100-400. Factors to consider are age and sex. Kunekune boars that are older with less activity will top the scales. How Does Kunekune Pig Meat or Pasture-raised Pork Taste? Pasture-raised pigs forage on a more varied diet, including grass, roots, herbs, and other natural vegetation. This produces a richer, fuller flavor in the meat. Simply put, it’s not your bland, white meat pork chop, making kunekune pigs good for meat. Are Kunekune Pigs Destructive? By nature, kunekune pigs are more docile pigs with a short snout, which means less rooting up the land. They are often content on grazing pasture grass, making kunekune pigs good for meat. Pigs are more likely to destroy fences when the grass is greener on the other side. What Are the Advantages of Kunekune Pigs? With their smaller size and friendly nature they are a good choice for small farms or homesteads. At harvest time they give a nice ratio of red, marbled pasture-raised pork and fat to render into lard, making them a great dual purpose pig to raise. Physical Characteristics of Kunekune Pigs Their long hair, short snout, and floppy ears give them a distinct appearance. Kune Kunes come in a variety of colors, often spotted, ranging from black, brown, gold, cream, and white. No two are alike. They have a coat of hair instead of bristles, and they often have wattles hanging from their lower jaws. Wattles are a distinctive characteristic of the breed. Lifespan While most homesteads raise kunekune pigs for pasture-raised pork and as lard pigs, they also make good pets. They are social animals that can easily live up to 15 years if kept in good health. Slower Growth Rate Not only are kunekune pigs a small breed, they are also slow growing. Kunekune pigs are usually fully grown out by 18 months of age. However, many homesteaders wonder if the slow growth and extra time is worth it, while some embrace the slow growth of the kunekune pigs. Fully Grown Kunekune Pigs Kunekune pigs typically stand about 24 to 30 inches tall and can weigh anywhere from 100 to 400 pounds. Generally speaking, Kunekune boars usually weigh more than kunekune sows. As you can see, there are pros and cons to their smaller size and weight. So, Are Kunekune Pigs Good for Meat and Your Homestead? When it comes to small farms, first-time pig farmers, or small scale homesteads, kunekune pigs can be a better choice than large breed meat pigs. Kunekunes can be easy to manage, easy on the land, and they also keep the cost of raising pork to a minimum, making kunekune pigs good for meat. Kunekunes are a wonderful dual purpose food source between being a meat pig and a lard breed, Coming in as one of my top choices for pasture-raised pork with exceptional red, marbled pork. Happy Homesteading, Jenny @ The GrahamStead Family Farm Jenny and her family have been homesteading for over 20 years. They are currently farming on their 10 acre Florida farm, that they built from the ground up, 8 years ago, growing 100% of their meat and a lot of their vegetables. From their small herd of Aberdeen Angus Cattle, Pastured Poultry, Sheep, and seasonal pigs, they are able to raise enough meat for the family while selling extra to the community. All the while, striving to butcher at home, as much as possible, and use the bits and pieces of their harvest by preserving food, making bone broth, and (Jenny’s favorite) tanning all kinds of hides! Sources: https://ikkps.org/ Homesteading Livestock