Backyard pig-keeping is growing in popularity with lots of smallholders and hobby farmers eager for information. Orders for pig homes have quadrupled in the last 3 years. One of the most respected companies, the Bridgiemire Pig Arc Company, sold over 1,000 homes in 2007, compared with around 250 in 2004 Rare breed resurgence and high-profile celebrity keepers such as George Clooney and Gordon Ramsey has put home-reared pigs back in the public eye. The Jimmy's Farm series of programmes regularly attracted viewing figures of 3.5 million.

Linda McDonald-Brown is a highly experienced pig keeper and runs her own company producing pig arcs. She keeps and farrows a wide range of traditional and rare breeds as well as teaching one-day courses on how to get started with pigs.

Introduction The history of pig-keeping * Why keep them? Which breeds? Choosing the right pig for you * Preserving rare breeds Getting started Equipment * Buying stock * Preparing for your pigs' arrival * Housing * Fencing and pasture Managing pigs Establishing a routine * Moving and handling * Feeding and nutrition * Weaning Pig health care Routine checks * Avoiding problems * Common diseases Thinking of breeding Selecting a boar/sow * Hogging * Farrowing * Care of piglets * Pedigree breeding Processing Preparing for slaughter * Weights * Paperwork * What to expect * Butchering * Storage Pigs on show Selecting pigs * Preparation * Show time * Join the club Pig breeds Includes: Landrace * Saddleback * Duroc * Gloucestershire Old Spot * Large White * Mangalitsa * Pietrain * Tamworth * Kunekune * Vietnamese Potbelly