Gauteng Smallholder December 2015-January 2016 | Page 26

LIVESTOCK
From page 23

ters to get to it. So keeping
pigs “free-range” in a fenced
field is not a viable long-term
solution. Which is why most
pigs are reared in sturdy
pigstys built with impermeable concrete floors which
can be hosed down to
remove manure and urine
which, while a potent
fertilizer, also has a potent
pong.
The exception in the case of
this species are the miniature
exotic varieties such as
Cameroonians and potbellied breeds which are
often kept as pets.
K Cattle can be kept in small
numbers but, as is the case

cleaning a constant supply of
bottles, usually 2 litre
colddrink bottles and having a
stream of neighbours at your
door, or in daily deliveries. It
is also against by-laws to sell
raw milk.
So if keeping a cow for her
milk is not really practical,
why would one keep cattle at
all? For their meat. This
Smaller cattle breeds, such as Dexters, are more suitable for a plot.
involves buying in calves,
with horses, they will
means that there must be at
growing them to a decent
decimate any grazing you
least two people on your
weight, and shipping them off
have and will rely on bought- smallholding who have the
to an abattoir. This involves
in fodder (and hard rations).
skill and time to milk, even if buying in feed (or growing
you go to the expense of
The idea of having a cow for
your own in the form of a
her milk is a dream of many a buying a milking machine
green barley feed) and will
rather than d