Snouts & Stubbornness: a pig's life

Raising pigs. We've all been there...pleading with a sturdy pig to follow us back into their home while they couldn't care less-they may even run away and squeal. Well, it's a job that’ll test your patience and your grit, but it’s also mighty rewarding. When I first started out, I learned real quick that pigs aren’t like cows or chickens – they’re a bit more independent and sometimes ornery. MOST of the time they're ornery.

They’ve got a mind of their own, and you have to be quick to keep them in line. You need a good strong pen, something that’ll keep them safe from predators and, of course, keep them from running off. I always made sure the fence was sturdy, not just for the pigs, but to keep the neighbors’ dogs from getting too curious. Old Farmers tip:

a metal building is NO match for a few 200 pound pigs-they'll make it a vented walk out to the poopy veranda that you might not find to be a value added feature. A fence with a bit of height helps, too, since pigs love to root around and will dig under if they get the chance. An escape pig is NOT easy to get back into it's space. They'll make you work for it.

Feeding is important, too. You can’t just throw scraps at them and expect ‘em to thrive. A proper diet includes a mix of grains – corn, oats, and sometimes a little kitchen scrap, but don’t go overboard with the grain or they’ll pack on the pounds quicker than you can blink. Too much weight on a pig, and they’ll have trouble walking, let alone getting around to root for food. Unlike other animals, pigs don't grow "more meat." Once they hit about 250-ish pounds, it's just fat, fat, fat that's growing. Unless your selling lard, that's just a waste of your hard earned money. I always made sure they had a bit of roughage too, like hay, just to keep their digestion working right. You want to make sure they get plenty of fresh water, too. Pigs drink a lot, especially when the weather’s hot, and you’ll find they’re the most content when they’ve got access to clean, cool water all day long.

It’s also crucial to keep an eye on their health. A sick pig can spread illness to the whole herd if you’re not careful, so regular checks are key. I always had a trusted vet on hand in case something serious came up, but most of the time it was about watching their behavior. If a pig’s not eating right, or if it’s laying around too much, you need to figure out what’s going on. Pigs are pretty tough, but they’re also prone to certain issues, like parasites, so deworming is a regular task around here. I never skipped it, that’s for sure.

Old Farmer Tip: If they're tails are down or not wagging, you might be in some trouble.

When it comes time to wean piglets, you’ve got to be firm. The sow will want to nurse longer than she should, and if you don’t wean those piglets at the right time, you’ll end up with problems. Once they’re ready, you move them to their own pen, give them food they can eat on their own, and watch them grow into fine hogs. Raising pigs takes work, no doubt about it. But when you see those piglets running around, snuffling in the dirt, and growing strong and healthy, it makes the long hours and hard work all worth it. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of a job well done in the barnyard. If you're lucky, you'll have one that can herd the sheep and help you win that street credit at the county fair. #babeforever