• About
  • Blog
    • Gardening
    • KuneKune Pigs
  • Kunekune Pigs
    • Kunekune Boars
    • Kunekune Gilts & Sows
    • Upcoming Kunekune Litters
    • Kunekunes For Sale
  • Nigerian Dwarf Goats
    • Nigerian Dwarf Bucks
    • Nigerian Dwarf Does
    • Nigerian Dwarf Goats For Sale
    • Nigerian Dwarf Kidding Schedule
  • Contact
  • Shop

Abounding Acres, LLC

10 Reasons Why You Should Add Kunekunes to Your Homestead

KuneKune Pigs

17 May

Kunekunes are quickly gaining popularity among homesteaders and small farmers. Below are 10 reasons why you should add Kunekunes to your homestead.

kunekune sow with piglets

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I make a small commission (at no extra cost to you) when you make a purchase using these links. For more information, see my full disclosure here.

What are Kunekunes?

Kunekunes (pronounced “cooney cooney”) are a heritage breed of hog that are known as the Maori pig that originated in New Zealand. They were near extinction in the 1970’s, but thanks to conservation efforts, the breed has gained recognition in New Zealand, Great Britain, Europe, United States and, Canada.

Why Should You Add Kunekunes to Your Homestead?

1. Kunekunes are a Heritage Breed of pigs

The first reason why you should add Kunekunes to your homestead is because they are a heritage breed. Heritage breed animals more closely resemble livestock breeds that have been raised throughout history. In general, heritage breeds tend to be more independent and more resilient than commercial breeds thus requiring less intervention. Heritage breeds tend to retain more characteristics of their wild ancestors (i.e. grazing, maternal instincts, temperament). Heritage breed meat also tends to have more flavor and taste better (see number 6 for more information on this).

three kunekune boars standing in green pasture

2. Kunekunes are smaller in size compared to commercially raised hogs

Kunekunes range in size based largely on genetics and feeding protocol. However, they are typically smaller than commercial breed hogs. That being said, Kunekunes can vary in weight from 150 – 400 pounds with boars can reaching up to 400 pounds and sows up to 350 pounds.

3. Kunekunes Have a Wonderful Personality and Disposition

Disposition was one of our driving forces behind adding Kunekunes to our farm/homestead. Kunekunes tend to be very docile and gentle. Our kids are a big part of our farm life and they are always around the animals with us. To us, it was very important that we raise animals that we are comfortable with our kids being around (always supervised, of course). Kunekunes are very friendly and social pigs. These characteristics also lend Kunekunes to being a great breed for the first-time hog farmer.

black kunekune boar getting scratches from child

4. Kunekunes are Less Likely to Root

In general, Kunekunes have short, upturned snouts which lends them to not being able to root as effectively as hogs with longer snouts. That does not mean that Kunekunes do not root at all, because they certainly can. I have found that our Kunekunes tend to root when the ground is wet and muddy, but do not root near as much as commercial hog breeds.

5. Kunekunes Thrive on Pasture

In addition to Kunekunes being less they likely root, they are known for being excellent grazers. They are able to utilize grass/pasture as a feedstuff and convert pasture into growth. This gives farms the ability to lower the amount of feed when their Kunekunes are given access to quality pasture.

kunekune pigs grazing in green pasture

6. Excellent Marbled Pork

Kunekune pork is said to be the Kobe beef of the pork industry. Kunekune pork is a deep red color with excellent marbling throughout. It has an excellent flavor and texture.

7. Lard

Kunekunes are lard pigs. This means that they have more lard than the average commercial pig. Some people might view this as a con to raising Kunekunes. However, the lard has many different uses. For example, you can use it cooking as well as for making personal care items, such as: lotions and soaps.

8. Kunekunes Have Excellent, Natural Maternal Instincts

In our experience, Kunekunes have excellent, natural maternal instincts. They tend to farrow with ease and take great care of their piglets. Sows are also protective of their piglets; however, they tend to not be overly aggressive to humans.

kunekune piglet nursing

9. Kunekunes Come in a Wide Variety of Colors, Shapes, and Sizes

If you have seen Kunekunes, you might have noticed how they vary in color, shapes, and sizes.  Their hair texture can vary. They can have longer or shorter snouts. Their ears can be in different positions. They are all truly unique. Find out more information on the breed standard here.

10. Kunekune Community

This isn’t specifically related to the pigs themselves; however, there is an excellent community of Kunekune breeders out there. Don’t get me wrong, there are always people out there with poor intentions. That being said, if you get started with the right breeder and mentor, they should help you succeed in your program.

black kunekune piglet with small pink spot on snout

are you Interested in Getting Started with Kunekunes?

Visit our Kunekunes for sale page (here) and/or visit our upcoming litters page (here) to get on our waiting list. We focus on 200 in 12 genetics and only sell a limited number from each litter as breeding stock. We occasionally have barrows for sale as well.

additional kunekune resources:

  • Small-scale Outdoor Pig Breeding by Wendy Scudamore
  • Happy Pigs Taste Better by Alice Percy
  • See more of our Kunekune blog posts and resources, here
  • IKHR
  • Corva Bella Farm is an experienced Kunekune breeder with lots of information on their website and Facebook

1 Comment

Previous Post: « How to Successfully Harden Off Your Plant Starts
Next Post: IKHR vs AKKPS – Which Kunekune Registry is Right for Your Program? »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Amy says

    July 11, 2022 at 5:32 pm

    This is such a great list! I’ve been leaning toward adding Kunekune pigs to our homestead. This helps!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Let’s Connect

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest

Abounding Acres Worley Family Picture

Hey there! I’m Ashley, wife, boy mom of 3, and self-proclaimed animal lover and plant enthusiast. Welcome to Abounding Acres! I am so glad that you are here! Follow along for fun and inspiring homestead content each week! Read more about me here.

Latest on Instagram

Buying a whole chicken can be a more affordable wa Buying a whole chicken can be a more affordable way to provide multiple meals for you and/or your family. A four-pound chicken will feed our family of 5 for at least two meals (sometimes three). To make it even more affordable, I save the bones to make broth!

We have a limited number of whole chickens available now. Get yours before they are gone. Link in bio! 

 #realfood #homesteading #slowfood #slowfoodmovement #pasturedchickens #pastureraisedmeat #pastureraisedchicken #pastureraised #pasturepoultry #westonaprice #missourihomesteaders #missourifarmlife #missourifarming #eatlocal #missourifarmer #missourifarmers #missourifarms #missourifarm #Missouri #missouri
So much new life is expected on the farm in the ne So much new life is expected on the farm in the next few weeks!! Most of our goats are due within the next 3 weeks. Baby goats are the best! Who am I kidding? All babies are my favorite 😍

#goatmilk #goatmilksoap #goatmilksoaps #rawmilk #dairygoats #dairygoat #dairygoatmilk #dairygoatsofinstagram #nigeriandwarfgoats #nigeriandwarf #nigeriandwarfs #nigeriandwarfgoat #nigeriandwarfkids #nigeriandwarfgoats #nigeriandwarfgoatsofinstagram #homesteadinglife #homesteadlife #homesteading #realfood #westonaprice #missourihomesteaders #missourifarmlife #missourifarming #columbiamo #eatlocal #missourifarmer #missourifarmers #missourifarms #missourifarm #Missouri #missouri
This year, we will have a variety of vegetable, he This year, we will have a variety of vegetable, herb, strawberry, and flower starts available for sale! We will have 4-packs, 4” pots, and hanging baskets to choose from! 

Vegetables include: lettuce, zucchini, yellow squash, cucumbers, tomatoes (heirloom and hybrid) bell peppers, jalapenos

Herbs include: basil, parsley, cilantro, rosemary, spearmint, peppermint, sage, chamomile, thyme, lavender, oregano, and catnip

Flowers include: gerbera daisies, pansies/violas, petunias, straw flowers, zinnias, marigolds, calendula, nasturtium 

The strawberry plants will be Earliglow variety. They are a Junebearing variety that produces medium size berries that have fantastic flavor.
What is one summer fruit or vegetable you miss mos What is one summer fruit or vegetable you miss most this time of year? Post yours in the comments!

I (Ashley) am already dreaming of fresh strawberries! 🍓
McKinley has been talking about cucumbers for weeks! 🥒
Hudsen is ready for fresh carrots! 🥕
Harper is missing broccoli! 🥦
Holden will be caught stealing all the cherry tomatoes when they are in season so I am going to say that is his answer! 🍅

 #slowfood #slowfoodmovement #westonaprice #missourihomesteaders #missourifarmlife #missourifarming #greenhouse #columbiafarmersmarket #columbiamo #eatlocal #missourifarmer #missourifarmers #missourifarms #missourifarm #Missouri #missouri #marketgardeners #marketgardener #marketgardens #marketgardening #marketgarden
The top 5 reasons that we raise Kunekune pigs: 1. The top 5 reasons that we raise Kunekune pigs:

1. They thrive on pasture
2. They are smaller than other commercial breed of hogs
3. They produce delicious, dark red and marbled meat 
4. They have wonderful personalities and a gentle disposition
5. They are less likely to root

Do you raise Kunekunes? If so, why did you choose this breed? If not, what breed of pigs do you raise and why? 

 #pastureraisedmeat #pastureraised #westonaprice #missourihomesteaders #missourifarmlife #missourifarming #eatlocal #missourifarmer #missourifarmers #missourifarms #missourifarm #Missouri #missouri #kunekune #kunekunes #kunekunepig #kunekunepork #kunekunepigs #kunekunepiglets #kunekuneaddiction #kunekunesofinstagram #kunekunepigsofinstagram #pasturedpork #pasturedpigs #pasturedmeat
Follow on Instagram

Learn More

About Us

contact@aboundingacres.com

Ashland, Missouri

Legal Information

Privacy Policy

Search

Copyright © 2023 · Refined Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

4 shares