Raising Swine in Your Backyard
October 9, 2009 – 1:59 pm by MarinaHanes
Have you ever thought of raising pigs? If you want your family to consume naturally raised and organic pork, raising swine gives you control over whether you use hormones. As with any animal, pigs have certain needs so below is an overview of what you will need to do in order to raise swine in your backyard.
First, the pigs you purchase should come from a first-rate producer who is experienced and dedicated to caring for these animals. Similar to human babies, the first few weeks of a pig’s life are crucial. If the pig has been exposed to hormones, toxins, disease, etc., it could have a negative impact on the animal’s vitality.
The next step is taking the preparations to properly care for your pigs. There are three types of grains you will need to feed the swine, and each one corresponds to the pig’s weight. For example, starter grain is fed to pigs that weigh less than 75 pounds, grower grain is used for pigs that weight between 75 and 125, and the finisher grain is fed to pigs when they are between 125 and 220 pounds. During the beginning of the pig’s life, it will require more protein, but its protein intake will decrease as it reaches more than 100 pounds. Also, don’t forget that the pig will need fresh water available at all times.
Another major essential is the shelter. Pigs have small lungs, so they commonly get pneumonia. In order to keep them healthy, it’s important that you provide a warm, dry shelter that is protected from the weather. The bedding can consist of hay, and it’s beneficial to have quite a bit so the pigs can burrow into the hay during the cooler days and nights.
Raising pigs in your backyard can ensure that you and your family consume quality, organic pork. However, if you end up raising the pigs as pets instead, avoid keeping them in your home. Similar to chickens, pigs have a pecking order and can become aggressive.
Tags: backyard farm, organic pork, pigs, raising pigs, raising swine, swine