minicar: I want to find one for my daughter but so far have only found the mini potbellied pigs which are larger than the ones that Jane Croft in britain sales. Any info would be great Thanks!Does anyone have any information on how to find an actual micro-mini pig or a website for jane croft?There are many breeders out there that tell people that potbellied pigs will stay small if you do not feed them a lot. HOWEVER, underfeeding a pig, or any animal for that matter, will cause serious health problems and deformities. As for the so-called “Teacup” or “Micro-Mini” pigs, these are just normal potbellied pigs that have been chronically underfed and malnourished in an attempt to keep them small. Their life span is maybe five years or less. This is because the pig stays tiny, but the organs continue to grow as for a normal size pig. Teacups, Micro-Mini's, European, Blues, these are all fancy names made up by breeders. All potbellied pigs within the United States come from the same line. The term "miniature pig" is a term used to describe "small" mature pigs. Miniature pigs are generally considered to be about 1/10 the size of a commercial farm pig. Given that farm pigs can approach and even exceed 1,000 pounds when full-grown, it is obvious to see that the term "miniature" is both relative and very subjective. Keep in mind that weight is often not the best way to describe a pig. Pigs are very solid and "hard-bodied." It does not take a very "big" pig to weigh 100 pounds. It is often best to describe a pig in terms of size, not weight. In dealing with inexperienced pig people, we often ask them to describe the size of their pig in relation to the size of a dog. Most people can relate to and visualize the size of a dog better than they can a pig. An average potbellied pig at maturity will probably be in the 90-150 pound range if not overweight. This is the size of a small to medium sized dog in terms of height and length. We have seen potbellied pigs at well over 400 pounds. Some have simply been grossly overfed and under-exercised and others have been cross bred with other pigs - even farm pigs. The smallest healthy adult potbellied pig we have seen was about 45-50 pounds at maturity. Keep in mind that size (length and height) are a function of genetics and are predetermined in the pig. Weight is mainly a function of how much the pig eats. Pig owners can affect their pig's weight through feeding and exercise, but not the pig's eventual size. Potbellied pigs can continue to grow well into their fourth year. Many breeders are frantically trying to breed smaller and smaller potbellied pigs in hopes that the smaller size will attract more buyers. We have investigated and seen numerous pigs advertised as a "teacup" or "micro-mini" pigs. In virtually every case, what we have found was a normal potbellied pig that has been chronically underfed and malnourished in an attempt to keep it small. This information has been verified with numerous other sanctuaries and knowledgeable pig people. In the few instances where a very small (less than 20 pounds) pig has been bred, it has been the result of inbreeding or very concentrated cross breeding. These pigs tend to be sickly and unhealthy pigs with a myriad of health problems and very short life spans. At the present time, and to our knowledge, the “teacup” or “micro-mini” pig does not exist, nor has any one successfully bred a healthy and normal pig this size. We are certain, however, that the quest by breeders to breed this highly desirable and highly marketable pig will continue. BEWARE OF BREEDERS!!! Most breeders are only in business to make money. They will lie to you and tell you anything to make you want to buy from them. They have been known to tell people that their pigs are "micro-minis" or "teacup pigs" and that their pigs will get no more than 30 pounds. They will show you the cutest teeniest tiniest newborn piglets, fewer than 10 pounds or so, then show you the parents of the piglets. Keep in mind that pigs can breed when they are only 3-4 months of age. Therefore, naturally if they have bred the pigs at 3-4 months of age, the parents will obviously still be fairly small, yet the breeder will tell you this is the “full-grown size” of those cutest teeniest tiniest piglet’s parents, without telling you the age of the parents nor mentioning the fact these pigs continue grow until 3-4 years of age. Every year hundreds, if not thousands, of potbellied pigs are abandoned, "thrown away" or die, due to lack of information and knowledge. Many potbellied pigs are abandoned because buyers had unrealistic expectations, or were given the wrong facts (like the ridiculous statement: "a potbellied pig will stay small if you feed it less," a favorite of many unscrupulous breeders!). Remember that underfeeding causes malnutrition and sickness This is why we strongly suggest ADOPTING as opposed to buying from breeders. Shelters, sanctuaries & foster care facilities are overflowing with potbellied pigs that have been abandoned & neglected because these so-called "micro-mini" or "teacup pigs" got “too big.” We strongly feel that these pigs need loving homes FIRST, before bringing any more pigs into the world. To buy from breeders only encourages breeders to breed more, which in turn causes many older pigs to die in shelters, sanctuaries, foster care or abandoned and left to die alone out in the deserts or turned loose on the streets. Therefore, realistically speaking, a 13" - 24" tall, full grown 90 - 250 pound potbellied pig is a "miniature" compared to farm hogs which can average as much as 800 or more pounds at three years of age. As with humans, some potbellied pigs are bigger or smaller than other potbellied pigs of the same age Anyone interested in visiting some potbellied pigs in order to decide whether to adopt one or not, is more than welcome to contact us. If anyone pays hundreds of dollars for those so-called “micro-mini’ or “teacup pigs,” we just hope it doesn’t end up on our doorstep sometime in the future; we already have dozens, that are not “micro-mini” or teacup” any longer, that we are trying to find homes for|||I agree, there are many unscrupulous breeders out there, including Mrs. Croft. If you read her interviews, she has crossed her mini potbellied pigs with Tamworths (400-800lb pigs) and Gloucester Old Spots, another large meat pig. That being said, you are wrong saying true minis don't exist Report Abuse Does anyone have any information on how to find an actual micro-mini pig or a website for jane croft?There are legitimate miniature pig breeders out there who are breeding correctly proportioned and healthy animals. I personally knew an 18year old mini who was 35lbs and healthy as could be. You just have to make sure to visit the breeder and see their adults that are over 3yrs. Report Abuse |||and a good breeder should have multiple ages to look at, pigs should be healthy, and pigs should be socialized. I have run into many breeders who have pigs piled in pens and their facilities are overrun. If you are OK with a large pig, please look at adoption as well. Report Abuse Does anyone have any information on how to find an actual micro-mini pig or a website for jane croft?yup.. any teacup pet, any micro mini pet.. is a pet that is bred poorly through poor genetics or poor nutrition.. intentionally stunted with pigs their outsides stop growing but their insides dont so you soon have a suffering pet and high vet bills. I hope your daughter is rich!