What breed(s) are my pigs?

[hysop]

I didn’t think about that. Maybe they don’t have testicles because they are already fixed. I guess time will tell!! That would be amazing if they are.

Yes, that was dog food. It’s what the pound was feeding them (that picture was taken at the pound). As soon as we took them home we got them pig food. I also feed em tons of veggies and treats.

Thank you so much for that info! Yes, I want them as pets not food, so if they aren’t feeder pigs that’s amazing.

 

[cassie]

As eggsighted said, you need to get some pig feed, but not just any pig feed will do. You need to get some formulated for mini pigs. Regular hog feed is formulated for meat pigs and the aim is tp promote growth and weight gain. That is the last thing a pot bellied pig needs. If given half a chance they will get way too fat and that leads to all sorts of health problems. Pot bellied pigs are pot bellied pigs because of the great length of intestines they have in that belly. They are meant to forage in the forest for their food and they eat all sorts of high fiber but not real nutrient dense feeds and their digestive systems with their long intestine they can get all the feed value out of whatever it is they find.

Vegetables are good for potbellies. You might consider getting a vitamin supplement too so their skin stays in good shape. I just went on chewy.com and although they don't seem to carry mini pig feed they do have vitamin supplements made especially for them.

 

[Gray Farms]

They are Potbellies, not worries of them turning into 800 pounders. Limit their food and treats daily as they are very susceptible to getting over weight. They can be castrated now, pigs don't "drop" down their testicles like cattle, sheep, or goats do. If your not familiar with how to do it you'll need to take them to a vet to have it done.

 

[hysop]

My husband has castrated other livestock. Not pigs though. But he has a friend that is very familiar with pigs. So if they haven’t been castrated already then he’ll be doing it.

Attached is the food we got for them; they’ve been eating that since the day we brought em home. We don’t even have dog food at all since our dog feeds himself by hunting rodents and my three month old keets (which have been put up til they are full grown)! That’s the only food they have here at our TSC, the next pig food is hog feed. Should we just stick to this one we have?

 

[Gray Farms]

That feed should work fine I'd think. Mazuri is a good brand. If you have a Purina dealer in your area they may be able to order in Mini/Potbelly Pig feed for you.

 

[hysop]

I’ll check out if Tractor Supply has the pig feed EggSighted4Life recommended (Purina brand). I know they do on their website, but hopefully they have it at my TSC store.

Thank you again for all the information and help I’ve gotten. Definitely makes me more confident and prepared.

 

[Gray Farms]

Good luck with your new pets. Potbellies can make awesome. Don't forget that pigs are extremely smart, smarter than dogs. So they can get into trouble if they get to board.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I’ll check out if Tractor Supply has the pig feed EggSighted4Life recommended (Purina brand). I know they do on their website, but hopefully they have it at my TSC store.

The one you are using is GOOD. It is specifically a mini pig feed. Mazuri is also owned by Purina.

The one I recommended is okay or fine if your need to spend less $ than the Mazuri... which is about twice the cost of the one I posted. I got it from TSC. When I compared nutrients, it didn't seem that far off from each other.

Yes, it's true they can be great pets and very smart. Both mine were litter box potty trained within the first couple days of arriving.

 

[hysop]

Thanks! Is it bad to go back and forth on food? Mazuri is a bit expensive, but I don’t mind getting it once in a while as a treat, but as an every day food I’d rather get the most cost effective one since we are trying to get other livestock soon and feeding chickens, pigs, (soon) cows and so on will start to add up.

They will be strictly outside pets. Even my dog is strictly outside lol. The little pig is already learning to get out of his pen and come to the back door to wait for my husband every morning then runs back to be let back in his pen and be fed. So precious.

 

[res]

My Vietnamese and KuneKune piggies get a local coop hog and sow feed, just 1 cup twice daily, along with good orchard grass hay, which they DO eat. My piggies are confined, as some of my horses DO NOT like them so it is not safe for them to roam. They have maintained a healthy weight for 2 years on their current diet. I did start with the Mazuri feed when I purchased the pigs, but could not justify the cost compared to the nutritional value of the sow/pig feed. $12 for 50-lbs vs $22 for 20-lbs.