HOGS

[JimmyHoffa]

I used to know some guys that raised hogs and they got a good deal on feed by going to small breweries/distilleries and got barley or corn for low prices even free.  Don't know if that is an option for you guys.
Also, some were getting large bins of cull apples for free.  The pigs loved them.  The demand for wildlife feed may have priced that option out of viability nowdays, though.

[nwwanderer]

Been around a pig or two, as stated health is a big deal, pay attention.  Nutritional requirements need to be met for the bottom line.  Health, growth, reproduction, longevity and quality meat depends on meeting requirements.  A pigs system is like yours, simple stomach, but they have the potential to grow like crazy, 300 pounds in five months with top genetics so feeding them needs to meet the need.  High fiber diets, pasture, is not enough energy, protein and host of other needs.  They are smarter than a dog and more independent than a cat, again pay attention, a 800 pound independent minded boar can put real big holes in you real fast and let you ride it around the pen later in the day.  Babies are fragile, a missed meal or two and they are dead.  A virus that mom handles with no symptoms wipes out the whole litter.  The sow likes 60 degrees, the babies 100.  Cross breeding has big advantages, better survival and faster growth.  Do not be discouraged.  If you like them and enjoy a challenge you can produce a lot with a little.

[DRENALINJUNKIE]

Tag

[nwwanderer]

You need to make your own feed Blackhog.  If you are feeding 100 tons a year you could pay for the equipment quickly and have the exact diets you need

[Boss .300 winmag]

How much pasture is needed per hog?  Weathergirl would love a pig but we could probably only make about an acre and a half of pasture.

I can see it know feral hogs on Decatur Island! 

[KFhunter]

KF if you would share were you are getting that price on grain I would like to try some that is much cheaper than I am paying and I go through 7 to 10 tons a month I would greatly appreciate it

http://www.naturalfarmfeed.com/

I don't know if they can handle that much?  Said to call ahead 24 hours or so and they'd have a super sack for me.

I think nwwanderer is right though,  this is a farm that is feeding enough product they bought all their own mixers.   

You should do the same, then sell to smaller guys and help them save a few bucks.
I live so far out the fuel costs would kill a business like that, but I could probably get some local feed sold and help out the area should I get big enough.

[KFhunter]

How much pasture is needed per hog?  Weathergirl would love a pig but we could probably only make about an acre and a half of pasture.

could so with a smaller breed, or a niche breed.

You farm is plenty big enough. 


Someone mentioned foodies,  check out Mangalitsa hogs 

foodie hog of choice,  and they're really expensive 

[lokidog]

How much pasture is needed per hog?  Weathergirl would love a pig but we could probably only make about an acre and a half of pasture.

I can see it know feral hogs on Decatur Island! 

Hmmmm.........   

"check out Mangalitsa hogs"   Thanks KF.

[JimmyHoffa]

For the acreage, the pig that I remember from way back, we kept in an enclosed pasture about a 1/2 acre.  You could pick up a piglet in summer and have them in the pasture by fall.  They would grow quickly.  I seem to remember them being about 10 pounds in August and close to 300 the following April.  But it was fed in mornings and evenings and taken out to exercise.  For the exercise, I use to hang a bucket of food off the bumper and drive...pigs can run pretty fast when they want to.

[wafisherman]

Why exercise?  You want to let all energy gi to growth.  Lots of good fat and muscle.  Running around a pasture just burns calories that should be used for weight gain.  My hogs finish in a a pen around 400 square feet for 2-3 hogs.  Plenty of space to grow bacon

[KFhunter]

So I picked up a boar,  man he's one ugly pig 

but holy cow is he looooong!   gotta be 4 feet of bacon on that bad boy

[bigdave]

if you're interested in pastured pigs you might look at a blog called "Sugar Mountain Farms". They raise pigs on pasture and whey from cheese making in Vermont.

[SniperDanWA]

Joel Salatin in Virginia raises natural hogs for Chipotle and other restaurants.  Check him out for some ideas.  He has a bunch of videos on the web.  Polyface Farm in Swoope Virginia

[KFhunter]

Well the boar has done what boars do 

Now I'm going to sell the boar because I plan to hold back the best gilts and breed them so I'll need a new boar.   I might also just use insemination once I get things going better.


If he don't sell I might do another breeding, or I'll just take a core sample to check for taint and sausage that bad boy.

[Southpole]

Can you post a picture of your boar, I'd love to see what he looks like