KuneKune Education
History
Pronounced "coo-nee coo-nee," and translated to "fat and round."
The KuneKune Pig breed originated near the Maori Island of New Zealand in the 1800's. In the late 1970's, the breed was 'rediscovered' and at the time, it was estimated that there were only about fifty purebred KuneKunes left, six sows and three boars in New Zealand.
A KuneKune conservation program was created by wildlife park owners Michael Willis and John Simister. These two men single-handedly saved the breed from extinction. They were afraid that if disease or other natural disasters struck in New Zealand, this would wipe the breed out completely. In 1992, the first KuneKunes left New Zealand to go to the United Kingdom. The first KuneKune arrived in the United States in 1996.
KuneKune Description
The KuneKunes are known for their extremely docile and friendly personality. They are extremely outgoing and love human interaction. KuneKunes will crowd the fence whenever a human comes by, even small children can walk into their pasture with only the fear of too many KuneKunes wanting their bellies rubbed or their rumps scratched. They are a grazing breed of swine and as such, prefer to graze on grass. Their short and upturned snouts make them suitable grazers and less prone to rooting. These pigs grow and thrive on pasture. Fencing is only required to keep predators out, rather than pigs in. They have little to no desire to roam and do not test fencing. KuneKunes love to get wet and spend a lot of time soaking.
KuneKunes are known for having two wattles found under their chin. They are covered with hair, not bristles like other pig breeds. This hair can be straight, or wavy and either long or short. The colors can include black, ginger, brown, cream, black and white, brown and white, or any combination of the previously mentioned colors. These colors can also have wild patterns on the pig.
All pigs are social animals, but KuneKunes especially so. KuneKunes love other animals and often will play and interact with them. It is recommended to have at least two KuneKunes or at least to have another animal companion for your pig.
KuneKune Terminology
COI (Coefficient of Inbreeding) - is a measure of how closely related your KuneKunes parents are. The higher the inbreeding coefficient (%), the more closely related they are to their parents. So, in terms of health, a COI less than 5% is definitely best. Inbreeding levels of 5-10% will have modest detrimental effects on the offspring. Inbreeding levels above 10% will have significant effects not just on the quality of the offspring, but there will also be detrimental effects on the breed.
Boar - Intact male
Gilt - Female pig that has never had piglets
Sow - Female pig that has had a litter of piglets
Barrow - Neutered male
In Pig - Pregnant pig
Farrowing - The act of pigs having piglets
In Heat - The 3 day time frame in a sow/gilts cycle where she is ovulating
Standing Heat - The 24 hour time frame when a sow/gilt will stand for a boar to breed her
Wattles - Found under their chin. A pig can be born with two, one, or none
Top Line - The top part of the pigs back
Tail Set - The height of the tail
Snout - Nose
Pet Pig - A pig that does not meet conformation requirements and is deemed pet quality
Breeding/Show Pig - A pig that meets conformation standards
Homesteading Pig - A pig which is close to meeting conformation standards but is used for pork production from its offspring
What is the lifespan of a KuneKune?
The lifespan of a KuneKune is about 15 to 20 years.
How big will a KuneKune get?
They can vary from 100 to 400 pounds. It depends on how much and what their diet consists of.
What do you feed a KuneKune?
They can survive on a diet primarily made up of grass, two cups a day of a high-quality pig pelleted feed, fruits, and vegetables.
Their food should not be more than 16% protein. Fruits and vegetables should be given in moderation.
What type of shelter does a KuneKune need?
A building to protect them from wind, rain, and cold temperatures. During the summer, they will need a durable plastic kiddie pool to hang out in or some sort of mud hole.
How do I know if a KuneKune has good conformation? Why should I care?
It is important for KuneKunes to have good conformation so that they can live healthfully. Properly shaped noses and heads allow pigs to graze easily. Strong feet and legs allow pigs to move freely throughout the pasture. Good topline and bone structure helps sows carry piglets and boars breed without injury. Even teats allow sows to nurse all their piglets. Conformation often changes as pigs grow, but you can learn a lot about the pig's potential conformation from its parents and siblings.
Why is it good to register a KuneKune?
Registering or purchasing registered pigs ensures that your pigs are 100% KuneKunes. It also helps maintain and preserve the breed as we can continue to track pigs for generations to come. Registered KuneKunes are generally more valuable than unregistered animals.
Can a KuneKune live indoors?
Kunekunes are highly intelligent and can easily be trained to go to the toilet outside, as well as other tricks like 'sit' and 'roll over.' KuneKunes are not ideal to keep inside without outside time, as they are bred to be raised on grazing grass.
How much room does a KuneKune need?
It is generally considered that you can keep 5-6 KuneKune pigs per acre. This is presuming that your land can grow grass most of the year.
Is a KuneKune good for meat production?
Yes. They are not raised commercially for meat because they grow so slowly. However, because they grow slower, their meat is more flavorsome than commercially raised pork. Their pork has a premium texture and taste. The KuneKune meat is RED and deeply marbled, almost like fine steak. They also produce fine lard which can be used in cooking, baking, and soap making.