how bad are pigs?

[EmAbTo48]

Well I can say I LOVE our boar and sow!

They are each about 250 pounds we have had them since piglets. They are yorkshires, however, we have bred hampshires which are a bit leaner as adults. We have never had any problems with me or my husband with the 2 we have they are gentle and kind to us. They are given 10 acres 5 each that is split into different pens so they never smell and only if heavy rain do they turn the pens to mud

our sow has given us 8-10 piglets yearly.

They are excellent escape artists lol have had it happen at least 10 times electrice fence is a life saver but is pretty pricey! Feed gets high up there also! So you need to consider money when buying 3!

I am not sure if your getting just sows? If your planning to breed you can keep them together until the sow is about a month from birth. Never let them give birth in a outside area, you will need a birth room or pen.

I would recommend seeing these pigs before hand. As others have said adult pigs can be very aggressive, and I truly believe the only reason ours are not is because they are happy, fed, watered, spoiled and they have been touched and use to us since a few days old. this might not be the case for these.

I don't know, I would start out small if you have never had pigs. They might seem great but its a lot of dedication and commitment. Pot belly pigs are fun! If your looking for fun that's the way to go

 

[goofy98]

well no I am not just looking for a fun pig I am looking for a good eating pig to and yes I plan on eating one of the sows and breeding the other 2 and seeing how it go's and I need more info like what do I need for the birthing? and how should I do..... EVREYTHING can you help me

 

[Sumatra503]

Set aside all the misconceptions of Dangerous, Smelly, Man Eaters. These are nothing but misconceptions. The majority of the pigs raised are calm, gentle, and very clean animals. My 2 year old brother rides our Boar around the pen, with supervision of course, and he doesn't seem to mind much. They even sleep with a few of our chickens without any trouble between them. I know several kids in 4-H as young as 5 and 6 that show full grown sows without any trouble.

If you would like to raise pigs I would suggest that you wait until spring and purchase a couple of weaner piglets. They are much cheaper to purchase and to care for. This way you can raise the pigs yourself and you will all get used to each other. This will also help to ensure that you will have nice, well mannered sows who trust you at farrowing time. This way you will also get the hang of caring for the pigs when they are young and small instead of trying to take the crash course with 3 800lb swine. You can get used to them as they grow and decide if you even want to continue raising them.

They do not require much space when compared to other livestock. About 1/2 acre per full grown pig is all they require. As for fencing, two strands of electric fencing, one 3" off the ground and the other 6" off the ground is all the fencing they require. Pigs are very mindful of electric fencing because they have such sensitive noses. They eat about 8lbs of hog feed per day and don't tend to waste much of their feed.

If you would like to raise pigs, go for it! I would advise against starting with three full grown pigs when winter is so close at hand. Do a bit more research, perhaps visit a farm or two that raise pigs, and talk to your 4-H extension about them. Then get them in the spring when you are more knowledgeable about them and have more time to get everything set up and decide for sure that raising them is something you want to do.

 

[Poultrybonkers]

I dont like pigs unless its made into a porkchop.

 

[goofy98]

yeah I would only have for today get them or some one esls will get them

my mom agrees now my dad dosent

 

[sunny & the 5 egg layers]

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Unfortunatley that happens sometimes. Best to listen to your parents as you do live under their roof. Their house: Their rules.

 

[Sumatra503]

sunny & the 5 egg layers :

Quote:

Unfortunatley that happens sometimes. Best to listen to your parents as you do live under their roof. Their house: Their rules.

You may have the opportunity again in spring, which will probably work out better for you any way.​

 

[cafarmgirl]

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X2! Excellent advice!

 

[Debbiesflocks]

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This may be a blessing that your not getting them. This should give you plenty of time to build a proper pig pen. then you will be one step ahead of the game. I do agree with some others that maybe you should start out with a pair of started pigs and go from there.

 

[goofy98]

ok well do any of you know any people with pure hampshires redy in spring in oregon like around prineville bend redmond me my mom and dad agree to geting around 5 piglets in spring 2 to eat and 1 boar and 2 sows to breed