Ecoferme





Élevage d'animaux de ferme et compagnie / d'ornement en France

Why we started breeding kune kunes

We originally picked up some kune kune's for a friend, having looked after them for a few days we found them surprisingly friendly and affectionate.  After deep thought we decided to breed pedigree kunekunes along side the miniature pigs.  

History 

The kune kune pigs were bred by the Maori communities in New Zealand. The Maori's kept them for their meat, the kK where left to roam free around the family village. Kune kune means fat and round in Maori. The exact origin of the kune kune is unknown, its presumed they arrived in New Zealand by ship  in about 1800, probably originating from Asia, South America, and the South Pacific Islands. In 1970 the kune kune pig became nearly extinct but thanks to Michael Willis and John Simster they where saved. They brought all the kunekune they could find for sale in new zealand they managed to find 18 pigs, with these they started a kune kune studbook , they found additional kunekune to increase the blood pool later on. There is now a few thousand pure kunekunes in the world (but it is still on the rare breed list).  In 1992 the first kunekune's where imported into England and in 2005 to USA and  recently to France.

Appearance and character

Kune Kune are a small pig and highly distinctive in appearance looking somewhat like a Walt Disney cartoon or teddy bear version of a pig. 

These pigs grow to around 61-76cm high and 45-80kg but sometimes well fed boars could make 100kg. They are physically characterized  by a short-legged, dumpy build,  medium-short upturned nose, picked or slightly flopped ears, curly tail and a generally fat and rounded appearance. A unique feature is the ‘tassels’ which hang from the lower jaw, similar to the ones found on goats (though these tassel do exist on other breeds of pigs).  They have a dense covering of hair which can be in differant colours: Black, white with black spots, solid Cream, Ginger with black spots, solid Brown or solid Ginger but can come in other colours.

  Kunekunes are a very domesticated livestock and thrive on human company. Kune kunes like staying near their home and tend not to roam. Temperament wise, they are delightful, being placid and extremely friendly.  These pigs are very gentle, small, easy to keep, and fabulously colourful. There sweet disposition makes them great for children.  They are intelligent and can be taught tricks like a dog, eg sit, lay-down and giving a paw (or hoof in this case!) They are affectionate, with a passion for food and a good scratch. 

They can be fattened on grass alone and are known for their unusual ability to graze. They do not root like other pigs. 

 Kune kune's are the ideal smallholders first pig and are valued for their quantity of meat and fat, the fat being used for preserving food. Though nowadays, the Kunekune is classed as pet pig.