Pig help please

[ButteCA]

Yes, they're very friendly and we got them at about 10 weeks old. I always intended for them to be outside pets, but I think they got too used to being inside. When they're inside, it's not just about the peeing, they also get into everything. Even after I pig-proofed the room they were in, they damaged multiple pieces of furniture and knocked the cats food bowls off of the table. They aren't fixed yet, but they have an appointment on the 25th.

That’s good they may calm down a little after that. As far as potty train goes don’t let them have free range on food and water. A pig will eat and eat and eat until they can’t move! Maybe get a large dog kennel for them to sleep in overnight. Lay puppy pads in there for night time accidents. Let them out early in the morning to do their business and do pig things. Our house pigs eventually will mimic the dogs and be best pals with them. They are good role models for them if you have dogs. Eventually after you get them on a schedule they will let you know when they want to go in and out. As for getting into things cat food etc. we hide the cat food especially they love it and it gives them diarrhea the dog food only gets put down when the pigs are outside doing their business if the dogs don’t finish it it goes away. Other feed corn scratch,chicken feed bunny food all of it get locked in the pantry or they will find it. Pigs are very smart. They will eat EVERYTHING!

 

[ButteCA]

Right now you have to think of them like a rambunctious puppy. They are cute and love belly scratches but you know some furniture is going to suffer. I would move anything valuable and try to keep them in a non carpeted area. In time they will straighten out.

 

[Ch8ckenhelp]

That’s good they may calm down a little after that. As far as potty train goes don’t let them have free range on food and water. A pig will eat and eat and eat until they can’t move! Maybe get a large dog kennel for them to sleep in overnight. Lay puppy pads in there for night time accidents. Let them out early in the morning to do their business and do pig things. Our house pigs eventually will mimic the dogs and be best pals with them. They are good role models for them if you have dogs. Eventually after you get them on a schedule they will let you know when they want to go in and out. As for getting into things cat food etc. we hide the cat food especially they love it and it gives them diarrhea the dog food only gets put down when the pigs are outside doing their business if the dogs don’t finish it it goes away. Other feed corn scratch,chicken feed bunny food all of it get locked in the pantry or they will find it. Pigs are very smart. They will eat EVERYTHING!

I did all of that when they were inside, and it didn't really help... Like I said, I'm keeping them in the chicken coop because I have nowhere else to put them. I do have a dog, but he's old and doesn't like to be bothered by the pigs. I can't let them outside because they immediately run towards the fence and won't listen when I try to get them to come back (even if I offer them treats). And after looking at the prices on electric fencing, I'll need to save up some money. I'm only 15 and I can't drive. As of now, my dad is frustrated about having to spend so much money keeping the pigs contained. This is why I've been so overwhelmed by the pigs; almost everything I do either doesn't work or isn't an immediate option for me. I don't want to have to get rid of them because I know that's a big problem with pet pigs but I feel like I'm pretty much stuck... However, my mom said the same thing about them being like puppies, so that makes me feel a little bit better.

 

[ButteCA]

I did all of that when they were inside, and it didn't really help... Like I said, I'm keeping them in the chicken coop because I have nowhere else to put them. I do have a dog, but he's old and doesn't like to be bothered by the pigs. I can't let them outside because they immediately run towards the fence and won't listen when I try to get them to come back (even if I offer them treats). And after looking at the prices on electric fencing, I'll need to save up some money. I'm only 15 and I can't drive. As of now, my dad is frustrated about having to spend so much money keeping the pigs contained. This is why I've been so overwhelmed by the pigs; almost everything I do either doesn't work or isn't an immediate option for me. I don't want to have to get rid of them because I know that's a big problem with pet pigs but I feel like I'm pretty much stuck... However, my mom said the same thing about them being like puppies, so that makes me feel a little bit better.

Do they let you touch them or do they run from you? Try spending some floor time with them. They really love being scratched especially on the belly and behind the ears. You can really win them over quickly that way. Don’t try to pick them up because they don’t like it much. Name them when they are doing something bad let them know they are in the wrong just like you would a dog. Belly scratches and back scratches are better then treats they absolutely love it. Know that it’s going to take time and patience. 10 weeks old is already pretty old for socializing when it comes to a pig. I know it’s silly but when they are doing something bad a loud grunt like their mother tends to work and they will change directions. Try speaking their language. I’m not even kidding. I would let my piggies out and open the front door and grunt when it was time to feed and they would run to me.

 

[ButteCA]

A cheaper alternative to electric fencing may be to get some sturdy wire fencing and line the previous fencing on the inside of the yard but bury a foot or a couple feet down so the can’t push it up or dig under it.

 

[Ch8ckenhelp]

Do they let you touch them or do they run from you? Try spending some floor time with them. They really love being scratched especially on the belly and behind the ears. You can really win them over quickly that way. Don’t try to pick them up because they don’t like it much. Name them when they are doing something bad let them know they are in the wrong just like you would a dog. Belly scratches and back scratches are better then treats they absolutely love it. Know that it’s going to take time and patience. 10 weeks old is already pretty old for socializing when it comes to a pig. I know it’s silly but when they are doing something bad a loud grunt like their mother tends to work and they will change directions. Try speaking their language. I’m not even kidding. I would let my piggies out and open the front door and grunt when it was time to feed and they would run to me.

Yes, they're pretty friendly and I've bonded with them a lot, but when it comes to the fence, they don't listen to a thing. I only ever have to pick them up to get them away from the fence. But the grunting thing is pretty interesting, I'll make sure to try it. When they're in the chicken coop, they're fine, but as soon as I leave they go back to whining. I give them lots of attention, but I'm not able to keep an eye on them 24/7 and they don't seem to be content unless they're outside or with me. At this point, I think I might have to save up and get some electric fencing because the wire fencing doesn't seem to do much for them. They got over the fencing by leaning on it and pushing it down, so they could climb over it. Do you know any ways to keep them entertained while they're by themselves until I can let them out in the yard? Maybe something I could put in the coop for them?

 

[ButteCA]

Typical male pig. They love to roam. Chances are they never had boundaries before. They start reproducing within the first year and the females go into heat once a month. Chances are the people you bought them from,if they weren’t breeders, were happy to get those two males off their hands when they were still young and cute. The bad habits that they have knocking over food and fences they learned where they used to live. You’re going to have to be as stubborn as the pigs. I think having them nurtured could chill them out but I have always had my dogs to keep my piglets entertained. If that’s not available you have anywhere they can get a little muddy and root and just be pigs for a while?

 

[Ch8ckenhelp]

Typical male pig. They love to roam. Chances are they never had boundaries before. They start reproducing within the first year and the females go into heat once a month. Chances are the people you bought them from,if they weren’t breeders, were happy to get those two males off their hands when they were still young and cute. The bad habits that they have knocking over food and fences they learned where they used to live. You’re going to have to be as stubborn as the pigs. I think having them nurtured could chill them out but I have always had my dogs to keep my piglets entertained. If that’s not available you have anywhere they can get a little muddy and root and just be pigs for a while?

When I got them, they were sill with their mother, and they were in a proper pig pen. And I do agree that I have to be just as stubborn as the pigs! I've heard that neutering them makes them a lot more content with their environment, so I'm hoping that will improve their behavior. And yes, I put a little mud pit in the coop for them, which they seem to like. The coop has a dirt floor, so it's pretty much just outside with boundaries. That's why I'm working on the other door for the chickens, so the boys can have more room to walk around.

 

[ButteCA]

What you could do,I’ve never tied this myself but it could work, is get those dogs balls that you stuff treats in and they have to work to get the treats out and stuff them with pig treats instead. That could simulate rooting for stuff.

 

[igorsMistress]

Yes, they're very friendly and we got them at about 10 weeks old. I always intended for them to be outside pets, but I think they got too used to being inside. When they're inside, it's not just about the peeing, they also get into everything. Even after I pig-proofed the room they were in, they damaged multiple pieces of furniture and knocked the cats food bowls off of the table. They aren't fixed yet, but they have an appointment on the 25th.

Neutering will help quite a bit. I used to hide treats for Hammy, he enjoyed that quite a bit. He loved to tip over buckets to see what was under or in them.
Are you going to have their tusks removed? I know there are times I would have been gored if I hadn't had it done. Or my dogs may have been.

Thanks @Farmer Connie