Raising pigs in winter is easy if you are prepared. Like most animals, pigs are well adapted to living outside. Providing them with what they need will make sure your pigs are happy all winter long.
*This post may contain affiliate links which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Read my full disclosure here.*
When we started raising pigs, I had no idea what kind of care they would need in the winter. I don’t tolerate cold very well, so I assumed my pigs wouldn’t either. We held off on getting pigs for a while because I thought they needed a nice barn or shelter to keep warm in during the cold months.
It’s funny that we worry so much about our animals getting cold. Pigs have been living outside without any sort of shelter for thousands of years. The problem is when they are confined to specific areas or places where they can get what they need to stay warm. Providing your pigs with their winter weather needs is essential.
Winter Pig Shelter
Pigs need a winter shelter that will keep the wind off of them. It doesn’t even have to be completely closed in. Basically, closing the shelter on 3 sides will be enough to protect them from the winter wind.
Just be sure to face your shelter opening opposite of the way the wind blows. For us here in the deep south, the winter wind blows from the northwest. I keep our shelter facing southeast so they are out of the wind.
There are several options for winter pig shelters. You can build an A-frame hut out of three pieces of plywood, or a farrowing hut out of a galvanized steel pipe like the one shown here.
We use a couple of methods on our farm. Our smaller pasture has an old metal shed on it. It has walls on three sides and a large door opening in the front. This is great for piglets that need a little extra shelter from the cold.
For a more portable pig shelter, we use our livestock hoop houses. They are easy to move around and work great for a variety of different animals.
Not only do pigs need adequate shelter, they also need a thick bedding to protect them from the cold ground. Straw or hay works great for pigs. They love to burrow down deep into their bedding to stay warm. They will also snack on it too, so be sure to check on them and add more bedding as needed.
Pigs like to huddle together to stay warm. Keeping a pig alone means it won’t be able to use this method. Try to keep two or more pigs together if possible. I love catching my pigs sleeping all snuggled up on cold mornings.
What to feed pigs in winter
A pig’s diet needs won’t change much throughout the year. However, they may need a little extra protein to keep weight on them. Their body will be burning extra calories keeping warm during cooler weather. The extra protein will help them maintain their weight.
You should also consider providing pigs with minerals during the cooler months. They won’t have the forage options they have during the summer. If you live in a very cold climate where the ground is snow-covered, they won’t be able to root around as much as they normally would either. Giving them a mineral supplement is the best way to ensure they’re getting what they need nutritionally. My post what does a pig eat? has a lot of information on the nutritional requirements of pigs.
Raising pigs on pasture in winter
Pasture-raised pigs have similar needs to those that are raised in any other environment. All of our pigs are pasture-raised, but I realize that’s not possible for everyone.
Pastured pigs will need an adequate shelter like the one I mentioned above. Be sure to monitor their environment for mud holes. Pigs love to wallow in the mud during the summer. However, during the winter a wet muddy hole can cause them to be hypothermic. If you are using a rotational grazing system, be sure to move your pigs frequently to prevent mud wallows.
If you’re raising a grazing breed like American guinea hogs, Kunekune, or Idaho pasture pigs, you should give them with hay during winter. Giving them a good mix of alfalfa and clover will supplement the grasses they’re used to eating in the warm months.
Even if you are providing hay, they’ll still need supplemental feed to get all the nutrients they need. As I mentioned above, pigs will need a little more protein in the winter.
Also, make sure you always have fresh water for the pigs. This means checking it frequently especially if it is cold outside.
FAQs
Do pigs need a supplemental heat lamp?
No, when they’re provided with adequate shelter as I mentioned before they can withstand temperatures of around -15 F.
Should pigs farrow in winter?
If you live in a very cold environment, pigs shouldn’t farrow during the coldest months of the year. However, even in the most controlled systems, things happen. I recently had a fellow pig farmer tell me that his sow made it through three different fences to mate with his boar. That’s determination!
If you do have a farrowing situation in the winter months I do recommend bringing the pigs into a barn or shelter where the piglets have access to supplemental heat. If you’ve ever watched the YouTube channel Just a Few Acres Farm, the setup is ideal. He partitions off a corner of his pig pen with plywood and provides the piglets with a heat lamp there. This way they stay warm and out from underneath their mom. When they are no longer hanging out under the lamp, it means they’re ready to go outside.
What is the best bedding to provide pigs in winter?
Straw is the best bedding for pigs. It’s hollow and traps warm air, which helps keep them comfortable. They can also burrow down into it. That’s why it’s important to provide them with a deep layer of bedding.
If you’re in a situation where you are providing supplemental heat for pigs with a heat lamp, do not use bedding. It will be a major fire hazard.
Final Thoughts
Watching your pig’s behavior will also go a long way in determining how well they’re handling cold weather. They should lose weight, have sunken eyes, or be sluggish. If you see any of those symptoms in your pigs, be sure to provide them with a warmer place to ride out winter.
Otherwise, God created these animals to keep themselves warm during the cold months without any major assistance from us. Healthy adult pigs should have no problem with the cold.
If you enjoyed this article, please share it! Thanks for visiting my little farm.
[…] is great to use for raising pigs in the winter months. It has a hollow shaft that traps and holds heat. I always provide enough bedding for the pigs to […]