Q&A for How to Raise Pigs

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What kind of food should I give my piglets?

Alexandra Doss
Poultry & Livestock Expert
Alexandra Doss is a Poultry & Livestock Expert expert based in Ruskin, Florida. She owns and manages Stellar Game Birds, Poultry, Waterfowl LLC, a selective breeding operation with game birds, poultry, and waterfowl. With over 14 years of experience, she produces strong genetics and health in her hatching eggs, eating eggs, and live birds. The farm is FWC game farm licensed, FDAC licensed for quail, chicken, and duck eating eggs and meat, and NPIP certified. She is known as the Quail Lady and has published several books on raising Coturnix. Her work has been featured in Mother Earth News, Backyard Poultry, Grit, The Chicken Whisperer Magazine, and Community Chickens. She also has a career as a Workforce Management Supervisor and has a certificate in project management. She received a BS from Oregon State in Animal Sciences.

Alexandra Doss

Poultry & Livestock Expert

Expert Answer

I recommend starting them on mash mixed with water so it's easy to digest. Fruit and vegetables are great supplements in addition to the mash, so they have more consistent growth.

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Question

If raising a pet pig, does it have to be penned? Will it stay home?

Jayden Aroutiouian

Community Answer

It does, but if it is in your home then maybe have a little cage for it. If your pig will be staying outside then definitely keep it in a pen or gated area.

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Question

Can you make your own pig feed? If so, how do you do it?

Community Answer

You can make your own pig feed. However, be aware that with the price of grain being high, it's probably cheaper to buy it. That said, you can mix feeds. Mix 12% all stock sweet feed and crimped oats. Pour the bag of sweet feed into the grain bin and mix in 1/2 bag of the oats. The local market is a good place to ask them to save boxes of lettuce, veggies and fruit for you, so at least once a week the pigs get salad. A note regarding lettuce––iceberg lettuce has a high salt content when compared to other types of lettuce and older pigs fare better with romaine and other types of lettuce.

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Question

How big does the pigs' trough have to be?

Community Answer

It depends on the size of your pigs. For example, two 60-pound pigs will need a 5-gallon trough. Keep in mind that as your pigs get bigger, they will drink more water, and that the trough need to be full everyday. Also, make sure that the pigs' necks can reach over the trough.

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Question

What is the age/weight relationship of a well fed pig?

Community Answer

8 Weeks - 40 Pounds 2 Pounds of 17-18% protein 12 Weeks - 75 Pounds 2-3 Pounds of 15% protein 16 Weeks - 125 Pounds 4-5 Pounds of 0% protein

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Does a male pig need to be castrated when being raised for meat?

Community Answer

Most farmers prefer to castrate the male when he is going to he used for meat. Doing so takes the unwanted musk smell away when cooking the pig.

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Question

How will the piglet feed if removed from the mother?

Community Answer

You can feed a small piglet with a baby bottle filled with milk. For a little bigger piglet, you can soak adult pig food in water until it becomes mush.

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Question

Can I keep just one pig or will it need company?

Community Answer

You can keep just one pig, but it really would be better to get two or more. Otherwise they might get bored and become destructive.

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Question

What vitamins do I need to give my pigs, if any?

Community Answer

If your pigs are looking unhealthy, schedule a visit with your veterinarian. He or she can prescribe supplements to combat any issues your pigs are having with nutrition. He or she may also suggest a new diet instead.

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Question

How do I care for a newborn pig?

Community Answer

Once the pig is born, you should keep it with the sow in a farrowing pen indoors.

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Question

The pig market is not encouraging where I am. How possible is it for a farmer to take his pigs to another country to get more money?

Community Answer

First, you have to find out the conditions for doing so in your country. Then, you will also have to find out the conditions you'd need to meet in the countries you will be exporting to. If there any outbreaks like swine fever in your country, you will not be allowed to take your pigs out. You also need to keep documentation of things like medicines and dewormers.

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Question

Will piglets eat other food as they nurse?

Community Answer

Yes. It also helps them wean off the sow if you keep a small feeder in the pen where the sow can't get it. Fill it with whatever you will be feeding them after you wean them, and it will help the transition into the straight feed.

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Question

Can I keep a pig inside for most of its life?

Community Answer

No -- that would be cruel. A pig, like many animals, needs fresh air and space to roam.

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Question

How do I safely separate a piglet from the mother pig?

Community Answer

You should ask a vet to assist you, as they are professionals and can do this without causing harm or injuries to people or the pigs.

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Question

How many times per day should I feed the pigs?

Jayden Aroutiouian

Community Answer

Usually two or three times a day.

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Question

Are there any dangerous diseases that pigs can get?

Jayden Aroutiouian

Community Answer

Yes, there are many dangerous diseases that pigs can get. Do research on your pig, and if you think that your pig might have a disease, then take it to the vet.

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Question

Can pigs eat oatmeal?

Community Answer

Yes, they can.

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Question

Which kind of feeds do local pigs in Uganda need?

Community Answer

Leftover food, some homemade feed or feed from the local dealers, and pastures.

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Question

If a pig is living in moist soil with rotten food and no dry place at all, will the pig get sick?

Community Answer

Yes, all animals need a dry clean bed and healthy food to keep in the best of health. Moist soil is fine provided there is also access to dry soil or a dry pen full of hay. No animal likes or thrives on rotten food, and will eventually become unwell with gut issues as expected.

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Question

What do I feed pigs to fatten them up?

Community Answer

The best thing to feed them is milk, but that isn't always cost effective (unless you have access to a dairy farm). I have found that in addition to hog grower (ground corn), supplementing day-old bread into their diets resulted in very noticeable gains.

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Question

What can I do to enable my pigs to produce many piglets?

Community Answer

You would just have to breed them to produce piglets.

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Question

How many piglets will a pig give birth to?

Community Answer

Normally a new sow will have 3 - 7, but by its second or third litter it should have 7 - 14.

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Question

How do I take care of a pig in my backyard?

Community Answer

It depends on how much land you have. More land is typically easier, you may need to feed it more if your pig has a small living area. If you have a small property, you may want to change living sites every once in a while, to minimize smells. A pig needs fresh water no matter the size of its living quarters. Mud pits are not necessary but recommended; you might want to hose down your pig if you don't have one.

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Question

Can pigs eat cassava leaves?

Community Answer

Pigs should not eat cassava leaves. They are not good for them and will make them sick.

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Question

How do I castrate the male piglets? When can I do that?

Community Answer

To castrate the male piglets get your vet to preform the procedure. There are online instructions on how to you it yourself but it is a lot more of a complex procedure than what it looks like. Doing it wrong, which is easy to do, could result in your pig's death. Its best to castrate your pig early or as soon as your vet gives you the okay.

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Question

How much acreage is needed to raise pigs?

Community Answer

Rotate 15-20 piglets in three 1/3 acres. They will need 500 additional feed each reach 280 lbs.

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Question

What can pigs to eat to gain weight and get fat?

Community Answer

You don’t want your pig fat or it may have problems.Keep it at a healthy weight by feeding it the right food in right portions. Check with a vet for advice

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