Pig Question

[PD-Riverman]

I know we have a Pig Forum, but my question is more on Homesteading. Do you feel that the Homestead should have some pigs/hogs on it? I do raise my own corn have the land, lumber for a shed etc. I seen a add in the paper for 35lb pigs for $20 each and am thinking I should get a couple, but I have never raised any since I have been grown. Do I or Do I forget it? Thanks!!

[big rockpile]

I've always liked Pigs.One time I had 40 Sows.When I was a kid we would butcher about 6 Pigs a year.

I say why not?

big rockpile

[DutchAcres]

Go for it.

Buy two and then, if you find you don't want them . . . eat them. At least you can eat your mistake - not like buying some equipment only to discover you don't need it.

Even if you don't ever eat them, Joel Salatin has some good ideas on how to use them for soil improvement ("You Can Farm" pg. 266 ISBN:0-9638109-2-8).

Good luck.

[Siryet]

our hogs are one of the better things we have on this place. We usually buy in the spring and sell and butcher in the fall. This way we don't have any hassel over the winter months.

At $40.00 for our pigs in the spring, and selling the extra hogs in the fall, our feed and costs are nothing for approx 340 lbs of pork each year.

I would say go for it but make sure you have all the necessary housing, pen, feed before you buy the piglets.

[Kmac15]

we love it, it is great to know that any recalls will not effect my food.
we raise up 2 sets a year and have enough to share with the family. They eat the extra eggs, leftovers from the kitchen, and anything we don't want from the garden.

The ones that are ready in the summer go to the butcher and we have just started butchering the winter ones ourselves.

[Up North]

Two pigs raised out for butchering to feed you and your family, yes.
Any more than that one had better push the pencil very hard. With the current feed costs and the selling price of hogs, their is no room for error and thin profit margins.

[PD-Riverman]

Thanks!! Going tomorrow to get 2 pigs!!
Now, I have a 10ftx20ft chain link dog kennel I am going to put them in until I build them a "Pen" in the next couple days. I am going to use sawmilled lumber for their pen---Now Questions??

1. How big of a Stall/pen do I need to build for these 2 pigs?
2. Should part of it be floored?
3. Should I build it where it will be in full Sun or Partially Shaded or Full Shade?
4. I am going to fence in a Acre or two for them soon.
5. How long should I keep them closed up before letting them out into their Hot-Wired area?
6. What type feed/grain should I get for them--They are just weaned? I have corn and can grind it and will have plenty of garden vegetables to give them.

Thanks!!

[Kmac15]

I am not to far from you, we have a 4x4 shelter with a 1/2 wall on one side.
none of it is floored
full shade if you can, we have to worry about heat more than freezing.
I go to Wagner for pig feed, Wagner milling grinds his own hog feed to add to what I have on hand

Always have water for them

[piglady]

I would keep them penned for a week. Run a hot wire on the inside of their pen so they learn what it is before you turn them out on pasture. Pigs respect electric if they can see it and know what it is. You don't want them to run under it the first time you let them out. Run a wire close to the ground and then at least one more (two more is better) above that. If you keep them penned too long you are going to get that pig smell. Out on pasture you wont have the smell. For young pigs you need to get the protien up so add eggs, milk (only if you don't have to buy it) to your own corn or soymeal if not. If you have to buy all your feed, yes it is expensive but if you can raise it, you are way ahead of the game. Meat prices are headed up wether you buy it at the store or from a local farmer. If you fertilize your corn with manure, your costs have not gone up but your profits will since you can charge more as prices overall go up. We are amazed each year at how much better our pastures get. The cover is thicker and we are getting a lot of clover. What used to be washed out gravel is now lush pasture. That's worth something!