Pot belly pigs?

[Folly's place]

If it's a baby boar, he needs to be neutered! Adult boars are dangerous!
You do need fencing, especially against bears!!! Electric fencing is about the only thing that works, so look into it, for all your critters.
Try your county extension agent, and 4H people, for advice about handling this little guy. It's important to have a good relationship with him (?), as in having him respect you rather than turning into a spoiled (dangerous) jerk.
Mary

 

[Keziah]

i would think it would be fine temporarily but definitely look for fences in the near future just to keep it safe. Also, it is a good idea to go see a vet to confirm and sicknesses and to get it fixed up . If the pig has been roaming lately, its probably used to the weather, but a blanket/ lame is always good in the winter! good luck!

 

[BallyFarm]

Do you have a local vet who could come out and give him a once over then you get your basic questions out of the way, like breed? Gender? And age. And then go from there.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I still am not sure what gender it is, but regardless should I look into getting him spayed/neutered?

If you have the funds to do it, that would be great... I am a spay/neuter advocate and do believe it can help prevent SOME medical (reproductive cancers) and behavioral issues. It is also "said" to help them have less desire to roam and look for a potential mate.

My pigs see an exotic pet vet, he is not the cheapest. It probably cost me close to $700 to have my gal spayed when still young and around 12 pounds. At this size, cost and procedure will be a bit more than if small and young. If it was an un-neutered male you would see his bits pretty obviously... A female has the same set up back there as a dog.

If you can't see any bits... either it is already a "barrow" (fixed male) or it could still be a gilt/sow.. (female, term depends on breeding/birthing status)
My local humane society is great resource for help with spaying and neutering! They had pub.vet coming who did my recently adopted bunnies for only $60 each when I was quoted $400 each (even neutering) from my own vet and $325 from one 30 miles away. I had expected it to be much less since I see rabbit pairs for adoption at a neighboring county shelter for $40 fixed. I was starting to consider trying to band the male (bad idea) as I didn't want babies turning them more livestock than pet. Humane Society even covered funds for those who could not afford the procedure but wanted their pets fixed, I know their funding varies and our local head volunteer works her tail off helping the communities animals.

But if the cost of sterilization is not feasible for your family... or it seriously risk the life of the animal... it may not be the best choice for you. A standard visit for my vet to do an assessment is around $56. Sometimes they can do this on the same day as surgery and just not proceed if they find cause. I use a dog kennel for transportation, but mine are already adjusted to them since that's what we used when they came home to live with us. Maybe luring it in with feed. Or use a make shift harness in this style...
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0769YZ7B8/?tag=backy-20
I thought I wouldn't like it due to being one piece instead of a harness that could stay on and leash (also a possible good restraint). I find however that things which stay on also get caught and sometimes stuck on branches or other items the pig walks past making it maybe harmful if left on and pig panics.

This link shows how it works and the simple design..
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07R4897G9/?tag=backy-20

I'm so excited you talked to the neighbors and offering a great home!

O hope it's an overall wonderful adventure for you!

 

[atomic]

Thank you all so much for the info, particularly @EggSighted4Life. Unfortunately, I don’t think I’m going to be able to keep the pig. He goes after my dogs if they are close to me (which they always are) and keeps my ducks away from their food. I also am uneasy around him. Besides that, I really don’t have the means to construct a pen. Otherwise he is just free ranging doing as he pleases.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Unfortunately, I don’t think I’m going to be able to keep the pig. He goes after my dogs if they are close to me (which they always are) and keeps my ducks away from their food. I also am uneasy around him.

Pigs are quite pushy and pig headed sometimes. Piggy always. Visiting can be a lot funner than owning... MANY animals!

Consider placing an ad to home it somewhere maybe with someone who is a little more experienced with them and maybe even already set up? It's just a matter of time before domestic dogs get to it running free like that. Craigslist, farm and garden section is probably a better place than the pet section.

 

[atomic]

The pig definitely doesn’t have a concept of personal space, she (I think) is always right up on me and since I’m not used to her it’s a little unsettling. Am I just being a weenie? How do I teach her respect? What do I do if she does get aggressive?

I mentioned to the neighbors my concerns and that I would find her a good home with other pigs. Well the woman didn’t like that much and said if I wasn’t going to keep it that she has no problem using the lard to make her own lye soap and “that’s food for my kids”. So I’m not sure what to do.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Well the woman didn’t like that much and said if I wasn’t going to keep it that she has no problem using the lard to make her own lye soap and “that’s food for my kids”. So I’m not sure what to do.

Your neighbor sounds like an idiot with big goals but little motivation to keep an animal in good conditions. If they don't butcher animals on a regular basis... they may not have the skill or mindset to do it. I KNOW it can take a lot of self convincing to finally take that step.

She didn't care if YOU took it, she doesn't care what happens to that pig. Once she said you can take it... Do what makes YOU feel comfortable with regards to re-homing, her permission is not needed. Heck, I would call animal control for a pig at large.. if I THOUGHT that was a better option (my local shelter is "no kill"), though being in shelters can be its' own challenge. They don't want that pig and probably don't want to deal with butchering it! Not sure about your location, but many cities have ordinance against butchering in city limits. Please note, I do process my own chickens and understand that something dies for us to live, always and still eat bacon etc. Maybe this group will have suggestions to help you or maybe even find a home..
https://www.pigadvocates.com/

I don't Facebook, but that can be a real resource as well for rescuing and re-homing pets and livestock.

Aside from knowing you have food... pigs are very social creatures. It is likely enjoying your company and otherwise lonely. Of course introducing to other pigs is a challenge same as any other animal as they will establish pecking order before settling down and becoming friends.

How do I teach her respect? What do I do if she does get aggressive?

It's still a learning process for me... many things that are standard behavior might be considered aggression by.. well amateurs like me. That's why I got a piglet so I would know the relationship I had and be able to trust it when a "piggy fit" or other behaviors come up. Best I can tell, a technique called "move the pig" can be helpful. They do learn what "no" means. So much helpful info at this link...
https://www.minipiginfo.com/mini-pig-training-and-behaviors-101.html

The pig doesn't look in truly poor condition (though not great either)... your neighbors may be decent folks doing their best. I don't mean any ugliness towards them. If they wanted to use lard to make lye soap... we toss out extra fat from cooking all the time and I bet they do to... I was raised "waste not want not" and yet we waste so much!

 

[Birdsong 82]

Thank you all so much for the info, particularly @EggSighted4Life. Unfortunately, I don’t think I’m going to be able to keep the pig. He goes after my dogs if they are close to me (which they always are) and keeps my ducks away from their food. I also am uneasy around him. Besides that, I really don’t have the means to construct a pen. Otherwise he is just free ranging doing as he pleases.

I haven't read through all the posts in this thread yet but is he neutered? Mine was a sweetheart till he was just under a year old and I saw some changes and had him neutered and guess I did it in time because he's back to being a sweet guy. I can understand the pain of not being able to construct a pen because Especially at a young age I found him virtually impossible to keep in. They are escape artists

 

[Birdsong 82]

I don't know a lot about pigs but I know a potbelly when I see one. They don't get very big for a pig, and they can be butchered but are actually lard pigs not meat pigs, so great for putting on a lot of fat for rendering and making into soaps or lard.

Maybe by 'feral' they meant 'dumped' or 'ownerless' like most feral cats.

By feral the maybe meant ownwerless. Looks like a potbelly. Some pop alleys can get not very big for a pig and some can get a pretty good size. I have one that's a little over 100 pounds and I have one that's probably close to 250 pounds. I'm thinking if he hasn't betting you he's probably not going to