HELP-new piggy comin' this week-piggy neophyte here

[Jcran]

I got a phone call last night, letting me know that a little pig(commerical hamp cross I think) was left in a litter and I can have it...ok, what do I need? Can I immediately pop it out onto pasture? I've never had a pig outside of 4-H(completely confinement raised) and that was like 25 years ago. HELP! All advice will be thankfully appreciated

[DianeWV]

Hello Jcran. Do you have the area of pasture fenced in for the pig? If not, I like electric fencing because it's fast to install, relatively cheap for fencing, and the pigs respect it. Next shelter, do you have some rudimentary very basic shelter for the pig to get out of sun/severe storms,etc. Pigs need access to water for drinking and wallow. Pig will do well on pasture but additionally give it a supplement feed (pre-mixed ration/commercial feed) for increased protein. Also, any table scraps, excess dairy/eggs on hand, etc. Pigs are pretty hardy animals and really don't need a lot of fussing. Wishing you luck in getting your hamp/cross pig. Take Care. (Also, I would worm the pig-your local farm store will have wormers.)

[Jcran]

I've got fenced pasture, and electric step-in fencing...I've got some areas with REALLY tall grass and some areas with relatively grazed but still lush. Shelters consist of half culverts. Will pig eat alfalfa hay chaff and stuff left over from picky goats? Will pig root out of pasture? Should I worm him BEFORE putting him into pasture (like when I first get him?) Has anyone raised pig on pasture and not wormed and gotten good meat. I don't think any pig has ever been on this land before, so if I literally worm him in the truck on the way home, will this make him worm free on our place? Lots o' questions. I want to go as drug-free as possible, but am not adverse to worming if needed. I will rotate pastures with pig and goats and calves. Is this ok? No one will be cross species except maybe cow/goat, never pig unless someone out there has experience doing so. I'm afraid bigger pig gets, more delicious goats might look?

[Up North]

JCran main thing is do not have pigs in a pasture where goats or cattle are birthing. Some pigs will eat poultry, others won't bother with it. Our chickens run in and out of the hog pens unscathed all the time. So either the hogs are well-fed :1pig: or the chickens are really fast , LOL.

[Jcran]

IF I added birthing cattle to our pasture-ettes, I'd have to bring them onto the property with divorce papers as well. Nope, just piggy and goats and two Jersey calves.