Need help with ONE pig

[ams3651]

Electric fence isnt complicated to put in, you need a fence box, I believe they even make solar ones now. Ive been zapped many times as a kid, you have to set it to where its a shock to him but it really doesnt hurt. My cousin was from the city, we would grab him and grab the fence, the guy on the end felt the jolt.

 

[HobbyChickener]

i am sure that there are going to be a large amount that will disagree with me. I raise hogs. I have about 1700 of them.

IMO you feeding meat to your hog is a bad idea. Also you should not feed them anything that you would not put in your mouth and far as scraps go. Feeding hogs with what you cleaned out of the fridge because it isn't fit for you to eat is part of what caused a lot of the prolems with worms and such from your meats. There was a post early that mentioned feeding jams and breads. They are absolutely right. Feeding it high sugar and hi carbs will change the texture and taste of the meat.

Go to your local grocery store that has a bakery and get see what they will do with you for the day old breads and doughnuts. If you are goiny to feed corn, remember that it get your $$ worth out of the corn it needs to be ground. This is the only way that they will get all the nutrition out of it that they can.

It does not take a large amount of feed to "fatten up" a pig. They are on of the most efficient eating animals that you can have. However, they are pigs and pigs like to eat and will eat all you can give them to eat but that is just costing you money. If they are not roaming a large amount they dont use a large amount of energy therefore dont burn a large amount of feed / body fat.

Absolutely cut it!! The testis will bring strong flavors to the meat. If it is mud though you can have serious problems with it getting infected and loosing you hog so be careful. Dont use the vet to do it either, find you a local hog farmer and trade them some fresh chops for doing it but get it done quickly - this month-.

Last but not least remember bacon is health food!! So eat it like you need it!

 

[GwenFarms]

I just wanted to add that I've never had a pig kill any chickens. I did have one get in a nest of ducklings and kill all of the little ones. I also know of others that have had chicks killed by pigs, but I've never known of any killing adult birds. They will get in your eggs if they have the opportunity to. Egg shells are another thing that pigs especially like to eat.

I know of other folks that feed their chicken innards to pigs after slaghter time, but we've never done this. Pigs will essentially make good use of all the leftovers at a small farm.

 

[Nuggetsowner:)]

Now I am not an expert but we used to raise 2 pigs each year on my parents hobby farm. (along with many other creatures) We always had two because my parents said they are very social creatures and one will cause trouble because it is lonely or bored. A friend of our raises a couple of pigs a year and she puts in empty barrels or large bowling balls for them to play with. Maybe this would help keep your single pig busy and out of trouble?? Also My parents NEVER fed the pigs meat. They got regular pig food from the elevator as well as kitchen scraps -no meat- and garden scraps. We never had electric fencing and did't have a problem except with one pig so our neighbor came and put a ring in his nose. That stopped him from ruting under the panels and it did not seem to bother him too much. I hope this helps! It is just my two cents worth. We will be getting two pigs to raise for meat this spring. Maybe I will look to you for comparison or advice if I need it!!!

 

[AK-Bird-brain]

Just remember "you are what you eat" the meat will take on the flavor of what you feed him. if you feed spoiled meats it will take on a rancid flavor. for this reason I would also avoid feeding onions, garlic, and meat products.
I did feed ours egg yolks as a special treat when ever we needed to distract him.

Ours was named Hammond when we got him (after former governor Jay Hammond). I changed it to Hammond eggs to get the kids used to the idea we would be eating him sooner or latter. When ever were eating sausage they say Hammie was a good pig, now he's a GREAT pig!

 

[justusnak]

Well...here he is. He is 4 months old...still no idea on the breed???

Edited to add this last pic. The Hens name is Pancake....so, bacon and pancake!

 

[HobbyChickener]

I believe that from the pictures you are a owner of a yorkshire. Doesn't have enough ears to be a landy. Purdy Pig Though!

 

[greyfields]

With the spots around the face, it looks like a cross to me.

 

[Nuggetsowner:)]

Cute Pig!! Good luck!

 

[Ang]

He looks happy! I think he is a yorkie cross. And I don't think he looks greasy at all. Actually he looks pretty meaty. Be careful with that tarp. He will tear it to pieces. Have fun!