Pigs have the reputation for being hard to move but some folks manage to move pigs well, every time. Clearly, getting your pigs to cooperate is doable, you just need to know how. Here are the things that experienced pig movers know, that beginners will overlook or not realize. Move pigs with a sorting board…
Thinking about using some of your backyard to raise a couple of pigs? Great! Homegrown pork is wonderful eating! You know what you want, but how do you get there? What are the steps you need to take to successfully raise your pigs in your backyard? Backyard pigs need to be raised in groups of…
I’m sure you have heard that pigs can eat nearly anything, that’s true! Pigs are definitely one of nature’s versatile eaters. Just because pigs can eat all manner of feeds, doesn’t mean they should. To grow well and be healthy, what are the natural feeds pigs should be eating? Pigs are naturally omnivores, meaning pigs…
There are quite a few pig breeds out there and they can look very similar, especially to a beginner! How can you tell the pig breeds apart so you can know which breed you are looking at? The differences between pig breeds are visually determined using the traits of main body color, ear position and…
One of the best things about raising pigs is that they really don’t need all that much equipment! You can get started with a few basic items that, once you have purchased them, can be used for many batches of pigs. Here are the four things you’ll need to get started. To raise pigs you…
Pig prices, that’s a big topic! Depending on who you are talking to, pig prices could be for selling feeder pigs, ready to butcher pigs, breeding stock or wholes, halves or cuts! We need some clarity, what pig is selling for which price? I’ve put together a list of the current prices for all of…
Bacon is always a favorite, at least it is for me! Since you are raising your own pork, you should raise a pig that will give you more of your favorite cuts, bacon being at the top of the list, of course. There are a lot of pig available. What breed of pig can you…
You can look at pigs and see them laying about, rooting around then laying about again. What is it that pigs do all day? Do they really spend that much time laying around? Pigs spend 75-85% of their time laying around and/or sleeping, 5-10% of their time eating, 2% of the day drinking and the…
The thought is repulsive, a pig eating her own babies, yikes! But, does it happen? Do sows eat their own piglets, if so, how often and why? Sows will eat dead (stillborn or crushed) piglets, this is normal. Certain nervous sows will “savage” piglets, meaning attack live and otherwise healthy piglets, hurting them or killing…
You’ll hear a lot of differing opinions on raising pigs. To some folks, raising pigs is the greatest idea they have ever had! A freezer full of amazing meat and a huge step toward knowing where their family’s food comes from. On the other hand, some folks feel that raising pigs is the worst idea…