A small, round, hairy heritage pig from New Zealand, famous for its docile temperament and the pair of fleshy tassels ('piri piri') under the jaw. Uniquely among pigs it is a true grazer, thriving on pasture.
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Small-to-medium pig: about 24 in (60 cm) at the shoulder and commonly 130–250 lb (60–115 kg) at maturity—larger and heavier than most 'mini' pigs.
Lifespan
15–20 years
Social needs
pair
Native region
Developed in New Zealand (long associated with the Māori) from Asian-derived domestic stock; the species derives from th
Origin
Old World
Climate
🍂 Temperate
Family
Suidae
Genus
Sus
Part of the Pigs
Domestic pigs — from intelligent 'mini pig' companions (potbellied, Juliana, Kunekune) to standard farm breeds. Smart, social, rooting omnivores that grow larger and live longer than buyers expect, need cooling and rooting space, and benefit from spay/neuter.
From the minimum an animal needs to be kept humanely, up to the ideal setup. Bigger is almost always better — minimums are floors, not targets.
Photo coming soon
Minimum
Pen + wallow + shelter
50 sq ft per pig + wallow + 3-sided shelter + hog-rated fence
Pigs are intelligent social rooters — pair preferred over solo. Pen with wallow (for cooling — pigs can't sweat) and hog-rated fencing. Kunekune is a small grass-grazing heritage breed — wattle tassels, friendly, lower-impact rooters.
Recommended
Pasture + barn
1/8-1/4 ac per pig + wallow + barn
Rotational paddock for rooting, sturdy fencing, barn for farrowing.
Szilas / Public Domain (Wikimedia Commons)
Photo coming soon
Ideal
Managed pasture + woodland
1/4+ ac per pig + woodland + barn
Managed pasture rotation + woodland browse, mud wallow, shade, herd-mate, breeder/vet schedule. Kunekune is a small grass-grazing heritage breed — wattle tassels, friendly, lower-impact rooters.
Life & growth stages
How this animal changes through its life — each stage often has its own care, diet and space needs.
Photo coming soon
Newborn
Newborn mammals are nursed on their mother's milk. Many are born helpless — blind, deaf, and sparsely furred (altricial, as in dogs, cats, and rodents) — while others stand and follow within hours (precocial, as in hoofed livestock).
Photo coming soon
Juvenile
After weaning, juveniles grow quickly and become increasingly active, playful, and independent. Adult coat, proportions, and (in many species) the permanent teeth come in as they approach full size.
Photo coming soon
Adult
Adults reach full body size and sexual maturity, with the species' mature coat and build. Sexual dimorphism — differences in size, mane, horns, or markings — is pronounced in some mammals and subtle in others.
Senior
Senior animals show aging signs such as graying fur, reduced activity, and a greater need for veterinary monitoring of joints, teeth, and organ function. Lifespan and the onset of old age vary widely by species and size.
Color & pattern variants
Natural variants occur in the wild; selectively bred (man-made) variants were developed in captivity.
Kunekunes are pasture animals first and foremost; the ideal setup is a securely fenced grassy paddock where they can graze, plus a dry, draft-free shelter or pig ark with deep straw bedding for sleeping and escaping weather. They tolerate a range of climates but need shade and a wallow in summer (they cannot sweat) and insulated, wind-proof housing in winter. A wallow or shallow water area is important for cooling and skin health.
Fencing should be robust—electric or hog-panel—because even this placid breed will root and push at weak points, though kunekunes root noticeably less than other pigs and are gentler on pasture. Provide a dedicated rooting/turned-soil area for natural behavior, non-slip footing in the shelter, and enough space (a pair does far better than a single pig) to move, forage, and socialize.
Substrate
A grazing breed, kunekunes thrive on managed grass pasture and need rotational paddocks of soil/grass plus a mud wallow for cooling and skin care; bed their shelter deeply with straw, which they nest-build into. They root less than other pigs but still need earth to express natural behavior.
Equipment & setup
Provide a dry, draft-free three-sided shelter or insulated hut with deep straw, sturdy stock/hog-panel fencing (they are docile but strong), shade trees, and a wallow or pool since pigs cannot sweat. Heavy tip-proof water troughs, a pig-safe wallow, and access to grass round out a low-maintenance setup; supplement grass with measured pellets and minerals.
Diet
The kunekune is unusual among pigs in being adapted to graze: good-quality grass pasture and/or grass hay should form the bulk of the diet, supplemented with a measured ration of mini-pig or pasture-pig pellets to balance vitamins and minerals. They are very prone to obesity, so concentrate feed must be limited and adjusted to body condition.
Leafy vegetables can be offered; fruit and starchy treats should be minimal and used mainly for training. Provide constant fresh water and consider regional selenium/vitamin E and copper needs with a vet (copper toxicity and selenium deficiency are both possible depending on local soils). Never feed meat, kitchen scraps containing meat, or moldy feed.
Behavior & temperament
Kunekunes are widely regarded as the most docile and people-oriented pig breed—calm, friendly, and slow-moving, which is part of their appeal as companion and smallholding pigs. They are intelligent and trainable (harness, target, recall) and strongly social, so they should be kept in pairs or small groups rather than alone. Their lower rooting drive makes them comparatively garden-friendly, but they still graze, dig, and need space.
Enrichment should include grazing, rooting opportunities, wallows, scratching posts/brushes, and gentle training. As with all pigs, intact boars can become pushy or aggressive and may develop strong tusks; neutering males and spaying females improves temperament and prevents reproductive disease. Boredom and isolation lead to destructive or pushy behavior even in this easygoing breed.
Health
Key health concerns are obesity (and consequent joint strain, hoof overgrowth, and heat intolerance), overgrown hooves and tusks needing periodic trimming, internal and external parasites (including mange and lice), and sunburn on pink-skinned individuals. Their cold tolerance is good but they still need dry shelter to avoid pneumonia and foot problems.
Preventive care includes body-condition-based feeding, routine hoof/tusk trims, parasite control, and annual veterinary exams by a swine-savvy vet, plus attention to region-specific mineral balance. Spaying/neutering is recommended for behavior and to avoid reproductive cancers. As a true pig, the kunekune is subject to livestock disease-reporting rules and local zoning—confirm legality and arrange farm/exotic veterinary care before acquiring one.
Tips, DIY & hacks
Kunekunes are uniquely suited to grazing and stay leaner on grass than pellet-heavy diets, so feed sparingly to avoid obesity and overgrown hooves. Keep them in at least pairs as they are intensely social, provide a scratching post or sturdy brush for their thick coat, and a DIY straw-filled wallow corner plus seasonal hoof and tusk checks keep them healthy.
