What age to buy pigs???

[Willow's Meadow]

I might get a pig to raise for it's meat this summer. But I don't know much about them. If you wanted to buy pigs to raise and butcher what age would you buy them at??? Would you buy them as babies or already grown up a little bit??? What about for people who have never owned pigs before???

 

[arabianequine]

I like them as soon as they are weaned to go.

 

[txhomegrown]

We have always bought them right after they are weaned. It all depends how long you are willing to put up with them before you butcher them. If you buy them young, you spend more on feed getting them raised. If you buy them older it is less feed, but more for the pig. I like raising them all the way myself. That way I know what they have been eating, and how they have been housed and such.

 

[dewey]

My pref was always weaner pigs so they could be fed as desired. If you want to finish only it usually ends up being more expensive, without really knowing what they've been fed before you get them.

Getting 2 is normally a good way to go since they'll eat well & you can sell the 2nd pig ready to process to offset the cost of the one for your freezer...if your market is agreeable. Take care to avoid weaner runts offered at cheaper prices...the few dollars saved in the initial price diff will never make up for the lost quality and cost of extra months of feed needed to get them up to weight.

 

[sourland]

If you have never owned or raised pigs before, be very aware of one important thing. Pigs are very smart and personable. Don't name it or make a pet of it. I love eating pork, but would never be able to raise a pig for butchering.

And yes I have raised and butchered most other species of farm animals. Pigs with all of their antics just get to me.

 

[greenfamilyfarms]

Quote:
Absolutely. They are smarter than dogs and it is like they KNOW what you are thinking or about to do before you do it. If you plan to eat them, don't baby it at all. If you feel you are going to have an issue with that, don't get a weaning age one because they are still "cute" at that age. It makes them harder to eat, believe me. For your first one, get an older/uglier one to start. Although I prefer the younger ones simply because I know what he/she was fed. They will be the best pork chops you have ever had!

 

[Talihofarms]

Weaners in the spring.
We pasture ours, so they are ready for the freezer around Nov. or later at a weight of 220-275.
We are strong supporters of Organics and pastured products.
Slow growth is the key to better pork.
Make shure you have good fencing, as pigs are very inteligent.




Best of Luck