To raise pigs for economic purposes, food or as pets, you need to know how to house and care for them. Pigs are animals of great value, both for their meat and their excrement. The spread of the organic food movement has made consumers more aware of the origin of meat, and many prefer to buy it from small local producers over large farms. Read on to learn all about the art of raising pigs.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Give the Pigs a Home
Step 1. Build a pigsty
Pigs need a dry and safe place to live, which protects them from the elements while giving them space to move. Some people claim that an adult pig only needs 6 square meters of space; for a really fit pig, however, 10 would be needed. When designing your pigsty, remember that the length must be twice the width.
- Also remember that pigs tend to be better off near water sources. Therefore, you will also need to plan to insert something like this in one side of the pigsty, away from the shelter and the manger.
- If you have a barn with empty fences inside you can use it. Keep in mind, however, that you will have to shovel the manure produced outside of it.
Step 2. Install a sturdy mesh fence around the pig pen
Use pig wire mesh, which has a thickness at the bottom to discourage digging. The best way to build the fence is to hatch the area first, then build a solid wood fence around it. When it's ready, attach a 20cm net inside so that if the pigs push the stakes they won't move.
An electrified run is a good option if the pigs are grazing in other areas of the land or if they need to get in and out of the pig pen
Step 3. Include at least a partial shelter
Pigs can get sunburned if they are not protected from direct light when it is hot. During the winter season, however, they must be kept away from cold and wind. The best thing is a covered three-sided structure, which can fit inside the fenced area. Many breeders recommend calculating at least 4.5-6 square meters of shade. The roof must not be higher than 80 cm.
- Remember to leave a partial opening under the walls of the structure, so that the heat can escape during the warmer months.
- One way to create shade is to attach fabric to the roof of the sty to block the sun.
- In winter, you should put straw inside the shelter to help the piglets keep warm.
Step 4. Consider providing your pigs with a mud pit
That's it: pigs like mud. Having trouble regulating the temperature in hot weather, the mud pool will facilitate them. To build it, dissect part of the fenced area. You can build a small fence around the muddy pool to insulate it. Dig the earth where you intend to make it and add water once or twice a day (even more if you live in a particularly hot climate).
- Add a layer of fresh sand to the bottom of the hole when you dig;
- Add more land as needed;
- Keep in mind that it is necessary to keep the moat clean - some pigs will use it to do their business;
- Don't throw food in the ditch, keep it full of water; avoid throwing food into it to avoid possible diseases and to reduce the presence of flies;
- The mud also reduces the risk of contracting fleas, allows the pigs to dig the earth, which they love, and keeps their skin in good condition;
- Pigs suffer from heat and this can cause heart attacks. If you don't have room for a moat, use kiddie pools for pigs to bask in.
Step 5. Think about what you will do with the manure
A 450 kg pig produces about 75 kg of manure per day. You can use it to fertilize gardens and fields, or you can also sell it to other farmers and gardeners who may need it.
Step 6. Keep flies under control
One of the most common problems with pigs is that of the presence of flies. Once you've finished cleaning, cover the urine patches with a thin layer of garden lime. You can pick it up from garden stores and spread it out over the ground with a coffee jar. This process softens the area and kills the fly eggs. If you are fertilizing the soil, you can also use it in compost.
- Garden lime is used to make lines on football fields, so it is safe for both animals and people.
- If you are unable to find lime, you can use chalk, but it doesn't smell the same.
Part 2 of 2: Raising Pigs
Step 1. Consider the right time of year to buy piglets
Pigs thrive best in the winter months (15-18 ° C is the ideal temperature). If possible, start your project in early spring or late summer; in this way, when the pigs grow up, they will do so in the best conditions. As surprising as it may seem, a 22kg piglet, if well fed, will reach 112.5 (market weight) within 100 days. A beautiful development …
Step 2. Buy your pigs
Regardless of the purpose for which you raise them, you will need to know how to choose healthy ones. Unless you need to save money, you need to look for pigs in an area where they sell regularly. When examining piglets, avoid those that have scratching and coughing marks. If you notice that about 20% of the pigs on that farm seem unhealthy, choose another one.
Keep in mind that if you go to a sale that involves multiple farmers, the pigs will likely be quite stressed, and they will become more susceptible to disease
Step 3. Provide the pigs with water at will
They usually drink a lot. On average they consume 8 to 15 liters of water per day. Keep a coiled garden hose on the ground and give them fresh water throughout the day. If you leave the tube stretched on the ground, the pigs will probably climb on it and play with it.
The tubs are fine, but in the summer it is necessary to fill them constantly; the same is true for mangers. There are special, inexpensive feeders, which are connected to a central water resource whose supply is managed by a sort of water system
Step 4. Choose a good food
As you may have already guessed, pigs are great forks. Typically you should use premixed foods to make sure your diet is well balanced. A 22.5 kg piglet should eat 16% protein, while a 112.5 kg pig a 14% mix, although some breeders prefer to increase to 16%. Technically, pork should gain 450g of weight per day.
Step 5. Give them some leftovers
Pigs are often thought of as living dumpsters, which is actually true. However, feed them their food mainly and add the scraps as a side dish. You can give them fruits, vegetables, leftover meat, garden cuttings, and even rotten eggs. But make sure you don't feed the pigs a waste-only diet.
- Remember that foods that are poisonous to humans (such as certain berries and rhubarb roots, for example) are also poisonous to pigs. Therefore, avoid giving them raw potatoes and meat, which in addition to being toxic can be a vehicle for harmful bacteria.
- Some professional breeders think it is best to boil any "human" food before giving it to pigs. By doing this, you can prevent them from contracting any harmful bacteria that may be contained in the food.
Step 6. Protect the pigs from internal parasites
Pigs have a tendency to get internal parasites because they roll around in mud and stay in dirt all day. Ask your vet to prescribe an anthelmintic to fight worms. Best to deworm the pigs every 4-6 weeks.
Step 7. Sell the pigs for an economic return
If you breed them to sell, you can do so when they weigh between 90 and 114 kg. When they are ready, they will be evaluated based on health and size. Take them to a livestock auction or talk to shopkeepers. Make an appointment at the local slaughterhouse.
Step 8. Keep in mind that pigs can be dangerous
A 45 kg specimen is able to give you a good push if it hits you in the legs and the bites are no less. Keep some panels handy to use to move them or to re-enter the sty in case of problems.
- These panels are typically rectangular (approximately 75x120cm) and have cutouts between the sides and the top. They are cheap and you can find them online or in stores where they sell feed.
- You could also consider making them yourself, using a piece of wood of the size mentioned in the previous sub-step and attaching handles instead of the cutouts.
Advice
- Remember to always check the safety of the fence. Pigs are intelligent animals, which dig easily. They will find the weak spot in the enclosure and be able to get out of it if they have the opportunity.
- Do not buy a pig that is too young, it should stay with the mother at least 6 weeks.
- Certified pesticides can be used to keep fleas and ticks away from pigs.
