03:52
,
April 17, 2006
Is it a difficult thing? What are some really BAD things about raising
pigs? Not to be negative, just want to know what I'd be in for. What's
the worst thing about raising up pigs? I already know about goats - the
worst thing is when that yucky buck is in rut and he does nasty things,
yes, nasty. OK, so I'll just get girl goats. But back to
pigs...anything I should know?
{
2
comments }
First of all, you need at least two ... they will compete for food and eat more! And not be lonely.
Second of all, they do NOT need to be messy and slimy and have mud to slop in. Pigs are naturally tidy - if you have a pen large enough (long and narrow is best), they will go to one spot for their droppings and that will keep the pen tidier and less smelly. It's the combination of droppings and water that make most of the smell. You need shade and a lot of water, but they will be comfy and happy resting in the shade in a grassy or dusty spot and do not need the mud puddles.
You can purchase pig foods and possibly can purchase and mix your own. I am not clear, remembering what I got my pigs. I will know more this summer when we get ours and find out what is fed here.
They like lots of garden greens and kitchen peels and things (like chickens) .. they like buttermilk and whey - if you make your own butter and cheese, they will love you for it.
Good luck - they aren't hard if you do the right things to start with!
Pastured pigs
{
10:49
,
June 15, 2006
} { Posted by
Lighthouse
}
Hello Gena,
My husband raised pigs, so we are learning from him how to raise the first pig we purchased as a family. She had 14 babies 2 weeks ago. She laid on one, so it is no longer with us. Since she had so many we have had to feed her more, so she can keep up with milk production. I did not realize pigs can be dangerous. Grandpa shared with us that pigs are capable of eating people and shared examples, so be cautious. Our girls aren't allowed to go into the pen alone. We feed her well with out own mix and she receives plenty of goat's milk, so she is rarely hungry. She is tame, yet with piglets mama pigs can turn viscious. They get all the pasture and sunshine they need which contributes to their health. And, boy, are they fascinating!! Their noses plow the ground so easily. What an interesting creature God made! THe expression, "Eat like a pig", has taken on a whole new meaning! We will be castrating the little male piglets soon (my first time) and will be butchering in the late fall. We have a delicous, traditional Hungarian sausage recipe my husband's Hungarian grandmother will teach us and walk us through as we butcher the hog on our farm. We hope to videotape it and make it available to folks who are interested. Pigs are very inexpensive to purchase now - prices are very reasonable compared to the rest of livestock.
The daily, hopefully not too fragmented, display of whatever is on the homesteading segment of my scattered brain. I love anything farm...ranch...sufficiency. Y2K was the highlight of my late 20s - well, preparing for it was. Even though nothing happened, I learned a lot, and it birthed a new interest in things I'd previously cared nothing about. I love canning, making masa, and drying vegetables. I want to learn to make salsa, fruit butters and sauces, and soap. Oh, and candles, too. Can someone tell me what lye is and where to find it? And do I need goggles? Help.
