Raising pigs is a great way go provide more meat for your family. They don’t require as much land as cows, but still produce a significant amount of meat and lard depending on the breed you choose. While pigs are a great addition to your homestead for many different reasons, there is a good bit of information you need to know prior to owning them.
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Land Requirements for Raising Pigs
Raising pigs is easier than other animals if you have the right accommodations for them. Pigs don’t require as much space as cows but, definitely require more than chickens. They wouldn’t be a good addition to your neighborhood back yard.
Pigs aren’t as active as other farm animals, therefore they’re happy with less space. Pasture pigs will require more land than other less active breeds that aren’t good at grazing.
A general rule of thumb for pastured pigs 2-3 pigs per acre of land. They’ll need less acreage if you are using rotational grazing methods.
If you’re using a deep bedding method which is more confined, you will need around 90 square feet per pig. Pigs will also need a shelter to get out of the weather. You will need to be able to provide enough space and shelter prior to deciding to own pigs.
Fencing Needs for Raising Pigs
Other than land requirements, you will also need good fencing. Pigs are very intelligent animals. They will find a weak spot in any containment and exploit it.
Your fencing should be sturdy enough to keep them contained. An electric fence also helps. The pigs quickly learn not to get close to the fence, and will avoid the area.
You may need a combination of electric and hog wire fencing for mischievous pigs. My docile American Guinea Hogs are contained in an electric fence. One good shock on the snout, and they don’t test the fence.
Feeding Pigs
If you are growing pigs for meat, they will require some supplemental grain. Pastured pigs will forage and graze given the right space and grass, but they may take a long time to put on weight. Younger pigs need grower grain to help put on weight.
After the pig reaches around 4 months old, or 150 pounds, they can switch to a grain with less carbohydrates than grower. Otherwise, your pigs will gain mostly fat. A finishing grain with 14% protein will help them to gain muscle without putting on too much fat.
Pigs are also happy to take care of any kitchen scraps you have. They are known for their tendency to eat anything. Just be cautious not to overfeed them scraps and bread. This will cause the pig to put on too much fat.
Calculating Weight for feed
To calculate your pig’s weight measure the girth of the pig in inches right behind the front legs. Next, measure the length of the pig in inches from behind the ears to the base where the tail starts.
Calculate the weight of the pig using the following formula: Girth X Girth X Body length/ 400 = pigs weight in pounds. This formula will help you better determine your feed requirements based on the breed of pig you are raising.
My American Guinea Hogs are a smaller breed of pig, so my feed requirements are less than that of the larger breeds. Some breeds also graze on pasture. Those breeds will require less feed than the larger pigs that are in total confinement.
Providing Pigs with Shelter
Pigs also require shelter from the elements. If you have a large pen, or raise pigs on pasture, this doesn’t have to be a big structure. It should have at least 3 closed sides to protect your pigs. They’ll need hay or straw bedding. The pigs will snuggle into the straw to keep warm. They will also enjoy hay as a snack, so you will need to add new bedding regularly.
If you are keeping your pigs in a barn or closed building, they need at least 50 square feet of space per pig. Make sure the structure has good ventilation.
Provide bedding using the deep litter method or cleaning the floor of the structure regularly. Pigs will pick a spot in their space to use as a bathroom. This makes it easy to locate the excrement.
Breeding Pigs
If you are raising pigs for meat or to sell, you may eventually want to breed your own stock. Pigs will reach reproductive maturity around 8-9 months old.
A young female pig without piglets is called a Gilt, and a pig that has been bred is called a Sow. Mature male pigs are called Boars, and young male pigs are called Shoats.
If you are raising hogs for meat, a male pig will need to be castrated within the first week. While this can be a stressful process for both you and the piglet, they will recover from it quickly.
We recently purchased castrated feeder pigs. After a few months we found that one pig had only been partially castrated. The process of castration is much harder at that point. Male pigs raised for meat will develop boar taint if they aren’t castrated. This is a foul smell in the meat due to the male hormone in the pig. Pigs will also begin mating around 9 months old. You wouldn’t want to send a pregnant pig to the butcher. If you intend to keep a boar for breeding purposes, it’s best to keep him separated from the other pigs.
Pig Personalities
Pig temperament is another consideration to take into account. Some breeds can be large and aggressive. That’s a real problem if you have small children and are inexperienced. We chose the American Guinea Hog on our farm for their calm, sweet temperament. They are a smaller breed, but they are also more relaxed than some of the larger breeds. When deciding on which breed is right of your family, this is definitely something to consider.
Books on Raising Pig
The Marvelous Pigness of Pigs: Respecting and Caring for All God’s Creation
Saving The Guinea Hogs: The Recovery of an American Homestead Breed
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