For yard pigs, feeding and breeding are the two most important factors in their lives. Feeding yard pigs is fairly straightforward- it’s just about making sure that they have enough food to keep them alive. Breeding yard pigs, on the other hand, can be more difficult than you might think. This article will walk you through some of the basics of raising pigs so that your herd stays healthy and happy!
What are Yard Pigs?
Yard pigs are farm animals that have been domesticated to live in small yards rather than large farms. They’re often kept as pets but can also be used for meat production if they’re allowed to breed. However, it’s important to note that pig farming laws vary by state- check with your local government to learn yard pigs’ legal status.
Raising yard pigs is a rewarding experience, but you should always take care when raising piglets! If your pig becomes ill or dies in an accident, it’s important that you dispose of the body properly so as not to harm other members of the group. In most cases, pigs will eat their own kind if they die- make sure you separate pig bodies from the group as quickly as possible!
Know the Regulation Laws about Raising Pigs
The first thing to consider when raising yard pigs is the laws in your area. Most of these are quite straightforward, but it’s still important to do some research on them before you get started. For example, many cities only allow people to keep small numbers of animals that they don’t plan on breeding (such as chickens). If this is your plan, then you can buy a one-yard pig and keep it in a small yard with the door closed.
Once that yard pig gets pregnant or dies, however, you would need to find another source of yard pigs (such as from friends) rather than getting more from pet stores. It’s also important to check on potential laws surrounding slaughtering pigs. Many cities require that you cook any meat from yard pigs before eating it, which may not be possible if your pig dies in an accident or gets hit by a car.
What to Feed Yard Pigs?
When considering what to feed pigs, make sure that they have access to food 24 hours per day. Yard pigs are most active when the sun is out, but they still need access to food in case it gets dark early or if there’s a bad storm that knocks out their lights.
The best pig feed comes from alfalfa hay and grain mix- just make sure you get one without antibiotics! However, this can be a little more expensive than yard pigs are worth, so it’s also good to give your pigs table scraps like fruits and vegetables. These can be collected in one big bag (like the kind that you get at restaurants) which should be hung up when not being used for pig food.
Keep an Eye on Water Intake
Just like with yard pig food, you should make sure that the water trough is always filled with clean water. Some people recommend using a chlorine solution to disinfect it each day- just be careful not to get any inside of the yard pigs’ mouths!
It’s also important to note that some yard pigs may refuse to drink from dirty or unbalanced water sources. If your yard pigs don’t drink enough water, they won’t eat their food correctly which can lead to serious health problems.
How to Breed Yard Pigs?
Breeding yard pigs is one of the most important aspects of raising pigs because it’s how you get new piglets! However, this doesn’t mean that breeding pigs are a simple process that anyone can do. You should only attempt to breed yard pigs if you know for sure that your yard pig is healthy and ready- pregnant pigs are very vulnerable, so make sure they have the best chance of staying safe!
In most cases, breeding pigs will happen naturally as long as both male and female pigs are in a healthy condition. However, pigs can also be bred with human assistance- just make sure that you’re careful to avoid getting bitten by either of the pigs!
What’s The Best Thing to Breed?
Breeding different types of yard pigs will produce a new type- for example, breeding a Large White Pig with an American Yorkshire results in something called a Yorkshire Gilt. However, pigs are also bred for bacon or to produce more pigs!
If you’re looking to sell your yard piglets in the future, it’s best to breed two different types of yard pigs together- this will ensure that they have both qualities that buyers look for (like meat and lard production). Breeding yard pigs for meat is also a good way to make sure that you don’t have an overpopulation problem!
Pigs are Social Animals
Perhaps one of the most important things to consider when raising pigs is their social needs. Yard pig groups should always have both male and female pigs and should be a minimum of three piglets.
In fact, pigs are so social that they often won’t eat if there aren’t at least two other pigs around them! They also need to have the opportunity to play with each other regularly- this is especially important for young piglets who rely on their pig friends for socialization and protection from predators.
In some cases, yard pigs may get aggressive with each other- especially if there’s a lack of food or water available. In these instances, it can be helpful to have two-yard pigs in one so that they don’t fight over resources. This is only possible when you have an attached yard, however!
What Shelter Do They Need?
When raising yard pigs, it’s important to make sure that they have a place where they can get out of the hot sun and rain. However, the shelter doesn’t take much effort- you should be able to find an old dog house or even just pile up some hay for them!
It’s also possible (and recommended) to give your yard pigs somewhere to hide- yard pigs are prey animals and aren’t always comfortable in open areas where they can be seen by predators. Wooden boxes or planters that have dens inside them work well, but you could also just use hay bales stacked together!
What Age Can You Buy Yard Pigs?
Yard piglets will usually sell for the highest price, so you should be able to get around $15 for a piglet. As the pigs get older, their value will go down-yard pigs are usually sold at the market weight (which is around 200 pounds) or when they’re no longer producing milk.
However, remember that breeding pigs can take up quite a bit of time and resources. If you’re thinking about selling pigs, make sure that you don’t spend too much on them in the first place!
FAQ
Do Pigs Get Along with Dogs?
It’s possible for yard pigs and dogs to get along, but it takes a lot of time and patience if you want them to be friends. When pigs are first introduced, they will usually fight- this is especially true if the dog wants to eat the yard pig!
What Do Pigs Need in Their Pen?
Pigs need a lot of food and water when they’re in their yard- make sure that you’ve got plenty for them! Pigs will eat most types of vegetation (even some kinds of fruit), but it’s important not to feed your yard pigs any dairy products.
How Many Times a Day Should a Pig be Fed?
Pigs can eat a lot, so make sure that you’re feeding them at least twice a day! If you have yard pigs in their own yard and want to breed them, it’s also important to ensure that they’re getting enough food for themselves before they get pregnant.