New pig owner here

Mossyoak · #1 02/18/12, 10:06 PM

Hello to everyone on this site. My wife and I just got our first two pigs, a 5 week old boar and a 6 week old gilt. We have had the boar for three weeks after his mom was shot on a hunting trip and just got the other today. They already love eachother. Our plan is to butcher and sale one at 250lbs and hoping to breed once. I am glad to see the many knowledgeable people on here just in case I have any questions. We own four acres in southwest Missouri and this is our first go at raising food for the freezer not counting the hunting I do. Thanks to everyone that may throw us any advice.

HardBall · #2 02/22/12, 01:09 AM

You mention that their mother was shot... are these wild hogs you are raising? If so, you need to check around and see if that is legal... Anything that has Russian Wild Boar genetics is an invasive specie and is illegal to domesticate.

Mossyoak · #3 02/22/12, 06:49 AM

Yeah I called the Missouri conservation and usda and the head over both of them. I had to purchase the boar from the individual holding the hunting trip on his land. Usda and conservation said I can purchase a hog and bring it to my place as long as my intentions are to raise for butcher but if u got caught turning them loose I would be in serious trouble.

olivehill · #4 02/22/12, 06:52 AM

Your intent isn't to raise for butcher... it's to propagate.

If you want to breed pigs get some worth breeding to begin with.

Mossyoak · #5 02/22/12, 08:20 AM

My apolgies, I guess I am going to propagate my pigs lol. They will mate, have piglets, than I will butcher the sow for my freezer. I don't run a hog operation I just want good pork. Also if you have never ate wild pig than I am sorry.

Mossyoak · #6 02/22/12, 08:56 AM

The female pig is one we bought from a local breeder.

Patrick · #7 02/22/12, 02:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HardBall

You mention that their mother was shot... are these wild hogs you are raising? If so, you need to check around and see if that is legal... Anything that has Russian Wild Boar genetics is an invasive specie and is illegal to domesticate.

The wild boar is the same species as our domestic pig, Sus scrofa. It has already been domesticated, creating all of the breeds that we have today. In effect, all domestic pigs contain "wild boar genetics". The phenotype resembling a wild boar is illegal to keep in some areas without a permit.

Mossyoak · #8 02/22/12, 02:31 PM

Very true Patrick. That is why I contacted the usda and our conservation department. They also said just make sure I can prove he has had shots and he is in a pen. Funny thing is after having him for two weeks he will meet you at his feed bowl and let you scratch him. The wife named him Bacon lol.