OK so who can tell me about pigs?

[AccidentalFarm]

Although not small in any sense of the word, we have a feral hog that is the nicest girl you could find. She is now upwards of 400 lbs. at about 2 yrs old. This is not the pig you want- I just wanted to add to the thread about how smart and lovable they can be. We rescued our girl from a trap at about 2 weeks old and she lived in the house with us for about 2 weeks while learning to eat solid food. She's super friendly and doesn't have an agressive bone in her body.
She was attacked by a dog when she was still very young and had to have surgery on her neck to repair the damage, so she's not totally 'dog friendly' now. She is completely people friendly though. If you give her a scratch behind the ear, she immediately falls over and will lay there for as long as you keep scratching.
I think they make wonderful pets!

 

[Hotwings]

Ok here is my knowledge of pigs in a nutshell. Are you looking for a pet pig or a smaller domestic market pig? The only small pet pigs I have heard of the pot belly kind and another smaller pig called a guinea hog. Be aware alot of people will pass off a domestic market pig for a pot belly to those who are unsupecting, only to wind up with a 200 plus market hog! Pigs are fairly easy to raise, a nice stall with access to the outside. Some keep them outside with one of those round metal pig shelters. They will drink out of water that is similar to a hamster type bottle. A good mud hole is essentle, as pigs don't sweat. So next time you see a dirty mud covered pig they don't do this to be lazy, they have to keep cool. Pigs can eat table scraps, but should be suplemented with pig feed. Young males should be casterated if you don't want a boar. Oh yeah if a pig has access to the outside they will not soil there sleeping quarters. They are smart and sorely misunderstood animals. Please excuse my spelling.

 

[Country Gal]

I've had my 2 pigs for 3 weeks now and I LOVE them!

I got feeder pigs, as I am planning on putting them in the freezer this fall. They have a large area in the barn, along with a fenced area outside. Based on the research I've done, I'm giving them more than enough room (8x10 outside, and 10x10 inside).

I was suprised at how much personality they have. One was very hesitant about being around people, but has just started to warm up to us. He will now approach the fence when I come over to fill their water bucket and food, and last night he even let me pet him. The other LOVES attention and will jump up on the fence to be pet and scratched.

I buy their food at the local grain elevator, approx $7.00 per 50 pound bag. I supplement when I can - last week they got a dozen bagels that were left over at work on Thursday, Friday was our company picnic so they got a large bag of leftovers, and Saturday I cleaned out the fridge. I have an arrangement with one of the local produce stands to pick up their "seconds" every day, but it's going to be another 3 or 4 weeks until they open.

I have found it EXTREMELY easy to clean their area - they both poop along one of the fence lines and nowhere else. Occassionally I throw in additional straw in the barn for them.

The only concern that I've run into thus far is that they "rut" in the barn, making these large holes in the floor, which they sleep in to stay cool. (My barn has a dirt floor) I'm going to have to fill the holes back in this fall.

Have fun!