Raising hog for meat is a great step toward a self - sufficient homestead – and it ’s fabulously fun , too . Out of all the farm animal you may levy , I consider pigs are some of my favored creature . They ’re chic , they ’re curious , they ’re lovable … and have ’s not bury – Francis Bacon .
My husband and I startedraising feeder pigsseveral years ago , and for many of those years , we purchased piglet from a local Fannie Merritt Farmer .
However , we quickly realize as our pig - call forth military operation grew ( and we began sell meat and other farm products as a business ) that if we were going to make unnecessary and/or make any sort of money , we could n’t buy piglets any longer .
Today , we keep at least one breeding sow year - round and she supplies us with piglets twice a year . We are lucky enough to have the facilities necessary to keep her year - pear-shaped . See my other clause onwinter pig care . on how we made that possible .
Also , we are able-bodied toAI - breedher so that we do n’t also have to keep a boar .
However , for many the great unwashed ( in particular beginners ) , keep a sow is plainly not an choice . There are lots of benefits to buying piglets from someone else , too .
First and foremost is that you’re able to raise copper on a seasonal basis , as raisingpigs in the winterishard . Not only that , but it can quickly get expensive .
Not all piglets are likewise , though , and it ’s gentle to get duped when you ’re buy piglets for the first clip .
Here are some of the things you should consider – and appear for – no matter of whether this is the first , 5th , or 50th time you ’re purchase shoat .
Before You Buy Pigs
1. Decide on Breed
Before you skip on the first advertizement you find on Craigslist for piglets , it ’s all important that you put some sentiment into what qualities you ’d like your piglets to have .
One of the most frustrating things I ’ve seen is that most people who elevate pigs will name their piglets for sale on Craigslist as “ red pig , ” “ pinkish pigs , ” or “ bloodless pigs . ”
They wo n’t indicate anything about the pig besides its weight unit and color .
As you’re able to in all likelihood infer , this is not idealistic .
There is a mass of variation between cop breeds , and that variation can make pigs more hard to resurrect . For example , there are some breeds that are respectable for bacon , while others are good for lard . Some pig are more rum than others , so you need to take special precautions againstpigs get away , while some incline to be more strong-growing . sure pigs produce quicker than others , too .
I ca n’t say you what sort ofpig breedto buy . That will count on your ultimate destination and preference . However , you should do some enquiry to ensure you understand the genetics of your cop .
2. Determine the Timing
Most people bribe piglets rather than older pigs , although you’re able to certainly buy pigs that are a bit old so you do n’t have to bung them as long . Particularly in the downslope months , you ’ll encounter better sight on these large pigs because breeders do n’t want to keep them through the winter .
Usually , the most coarse time to corrupt piglets is in the spring , but if you have the abilities necessary to raise pigs through the winter , you ’ll save a pot of money by buying them in the nightfall .
Most shoat are sold before 8 weeks of age . Some people sell them at around 6 weeks , but the longer the piglets can remain with the sow , the salutary . They ’ll have stronger immune systems and will not need to be fed starter feed . You might ante up slimly more for the erstwhile piglets , but it could be worth it to not have to deal with disease or more expensive food .
In ecumenical , a goodly piglet will be around 20 - 40lbs when you grease one’s palms it . endeavor to avoid buying pig prior to 6 week . Although somepigs are weanedat 4 weeks , there are more benefits associated with keeping the piggy with their female parent .
3. Make Sure You Have the Proper Space and Housing Facilities
Do n’t haul piglets home until you have a place to put them ! You need a penitentiary and , ideally , some sort of shelter . If you ’re raising pig bed in the summertime months , you could get aside with something as elementary as a 3 - sided shack . However , the penitentiary is full of life .
I ’ve understand articles from lots of mass who claim that electric fence is not effective on immature shoat because they can easily horn in underneath it . However , they can dig beneath other kinds of fencing , too . For that reason , I recommend using a compounding ofelectric fencingand hog panels ( or cattle panels ) .
Do this at least when the piglets are young . you may also apply several strands of galvanizing wire , but you ’ll have to ensure that the bottom wire is exceedingly miserable to the ground .
Pigs are curious and they are destructive . They are even more curious and destructive when they are young and eager to get out of whatever inclosure you ’ve decide tohouse the pigsin .
My recommendation is that , before you convey your piglets home , build a sort of “ training pen ” inside your independent pen ( if you have a larger enclosure you ’d like to in the end house them in , that is ) .
The welfare of building a “ training playpen ” is that it will enable you to keep a close heart on the piglets while they ’re discover the Mexican valium ( aka finding the imperfect pip in your fencing ) . Once they ’ve gotten used to your fence ( we use electrical ) you may let them research the larger perimeter .
4. Familiarize Yourself With the Basics of Raising Pigs
Naturally , there are other factor that you ’ll ask to consider before you fetch your piglets home . First and foremost , you involve to educate yourself .
Do as much reading and enquiry as potential before you buy piglets . Know what your piglet need to be fed . Also , decide what you want to feed them on demand or with a pre - portioned system ( I recommend on - demand ) and how you will water them .
Where to Find Piglets for Sale
you may find pig for sales agreement just about anywhere , but that does n’t mean you ’ll be buying from a reputable author . Some of the most vulgar station to look admit :
Tips for Buying Piglets
1. Avoid Auctions
There are slews of rationality to avoid local auctions when you ’re shopping for pigs . It is commonly next to unacceptable to follow the background on animals sold at auction sale so you are often commence a stock breeder ’s leftovers . They also might not be the respectable .
Sometimes , fauna sell at auction bridge are also deliberately drug to make them more docile , too . This can give you a false impression of an animal ’s demeanor that can come back to ghost you .
2. Clipped Teeth
Many pork producers – myself included – clip shoat tooth a few day after they are born . This is done to foreclose them from hurt each other and from injuring their mother ’s teats as they nurse .
We have our own understanding for clipping teeth , but many masses view this as a highly unethical and inhumane practice . Depending on your opinion on the issue , it pay to expect the question of the breeder ahead of meter .
3. Castration
neuter pigs is highly controversial – just as controversial as the tooth clipping conversation , in fact .
There are several reasons to debate castrating pig . Of of course , if you ’re against emasculation for whatever grounds ( some people find it to be vicious ) , know that you will belike be capable to get a good good deal on your pigs . However , you may have extra problem to divvy up with later on , too – so it could be a race .
In general , I recommend shorten male pigs and research for piglets who have already been castrate . As somebody who has to go through this process every year , I can separate you that castrating male piglets is not pleasurable and emphatically not for somebody who is raw to raising pig .
However , castration is often essential . If you recruit piglets of opposite sexes , love that female person can get significant a lot earlier than you might have your pigs quick to go to the market .
If there are any hold in slaughter your bull , you may end up with surplus little shoat running around ! manful pigs , like other male animals , make testosterone , that can corrupt the smack of the sum .
My advice ? Look for pig that have been alter , or buy all - female person . virile pigs need to be castrated at around 6 hebdomad of age . If you ’re grease one’s palms a non - unsexed slob after this date , be leery .
4. Vaccines/Potential Diseases
You will also need to check with the Fannie Farmer or breeder to find out whether the herd was subject to any diseases . Also , you want to find out if it has been vaccinated .
There are n’t many vaccine that are look at “ universal ” for pigs . This is different from other form of stock ( for example , it is universally recommended that all sheep bevaccinated with CDT ) .
If there are certain diseases that are prevalent in your sphere , ensure the pigs have been inoculate . One disease that many stock breeder recommend vaccinating against isswine erysipelas , also experience as diamond skin disease .
You might also want to take about national parasites . Pigs do n’t necessarily need to be chemically dewormed . As long as they are on practiced flat coat and are in a upstanding , healthy condition , you may avoid it .
Regardless of where you stand in regard to chemical deworming , it ’s a good idea to at least ask about sponge control . Whether it is a drug or simply garlic , it ’s good to know what your pigs have consumed .
5. Transportation
You need to have a agency to get those new shoat home ! ensure you figure this out before you commit to buying shoat two hours aside ( been there ) .
you could move piglets in a box on the bottom of a pickup motortruck , in a trailer , or in some other form of convenience . However , check that that your method of moving piglets is not only comfortable for the piglets ( you ’ll need to factor in in the weather ) but also roadworthy and sound .
Most piggy journey quite well , peculiarly if they have companions with them . Do not make the mistake of wear you could just carry your piglet home on your lap , however !
6. Quarantining New Arrivals
irrespective of how much you trust the Fannie Farmer from whom you purchase your piggy if you are buy just a few piglets and introducing them to an existing herd , please quarantine them upon their arrival .
There are all kinds ofdiseasesthat can be transmitted between pigs . You often wo n’t have any indication that a piglet is sick until it has been at its novel finish for quite some time . One common job of this nature is ship fever . Also known asPasteurella , it ’s a disease that is commonly found in pigs , horse cavalry , cattle , and other animals .
Shipping fever exact some time to show symptoms , but it can rapidly taint the eternal sleep of your ruck if you are n’t heedful . Give your piggy a few week on their own to make indisputable they do n’t get everyone disturbed – and so you may treat them more well if they do show symptom .
One Final Tip? Call the Butcher
My last tip for you when you are buy shoat . Have a programme in progress for what you will do with them . If you design on keep back your pigs to be erect as breeders , then congratulations ! Your plan is already in post .
However , if you design on raise these piglet for heart and soul , you may want to put in a call to the butcher now ( or resolve if you are going to do it yourself ) .
Although we do much of our ownslaughtering on - farm , we wreak with a local butcher who deal all of the skinning , gutting , cutting , and smoking .
This total an additional expense to the price of purchase and raising piglets . However , it ’s worth it , sincesmoking , in finicky , is n’t something we are set up to handle on our farm ( nor are most masses ) .
Plan ahead when corrupt piglets , especially if you want someone else to treat the butchering . particularly if you live in a remote area , you ’ll get that those slot fill up tight !
Like everything , buying and provoke piglet require honest caution and planning . As you become more habitual to the process , you ’ll likely find that it ’s a extremely enjoyable experience that you look forward to each and every class .
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