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Other Activities => Equestrian & Livestock => Topic started by: KFhunter on September 17, 2014, 06:05:25 PM


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Title: HOGS
Post by: KFhunter on September 17, 2014, 06:05:25 PM
yup - I just jumped into the hog business  :chuckle:

Picked up a large black sow, pure bred registers with notched ears and the whole works.


Anyone got a large black purebred boar I'd like to pick one up!  for now I'm going to cross with a tamworth for some tasty BBQ goodness.


can anyone say whole hog roast?   :fire.: :EAT: :party1:
Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: bearpaw on September 17, 2014, 06:13:59 PM
So what is your target hog farm size?  500, 1000, 5000 ?
Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: KFhunter on September 17, 2014, 07:22:05 PM
12  :chuckle:
Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: hollymaster on September 17, 2014, 07:27:05 PM
Bacon  :drool: :drool:
Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: KFhunter on September 17, 2014, 07:29:41 PM
Bacon  :drool: :drool:

 :yeah:

old world style, thick cut with the rinds on  :drool:
Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: KFhunter on September 17, 2014, 10:00:06 PM
http://largeblackhogassociation.org/large-black-hogs-a-heritage-grazing-pig/ (http://largeblackhogassociation.org/large-black-hogs-a-heritage-grazing-pig/)



Quote
Todays small farmers are looking for a heritage breed of pig that can be raised on pasture and produce a superior pork for a niche market. Heritage breeds are those that were perfected over a hundred years ago by farmers who bred for taste, hardiness, mothering ability, and efficiency. Most heritage breeds of hogs are very rare today and one of the most rare is the Large Black Hog.

With fewer than 300 registered breeding hogs living today, the Large Black is listed as endangered by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy. It was once one of the most popular breeds of pigs in Europe until pork production moved indoors by huge commercial hog operations. With the organic and slow food movement, the Large Black is experiencing renewed interest and huge demand.

The History of Large Black Hogs
The Large Black is believed to have been developed in the late 1800’s from Chinese breeds brought to England. They are of the “bacon” type, or meat producer, instead of the “lard” type common of that day. They became known as the Devon or Cornwall pigs from their area of origin before becoming just the “Large Black.” By the 1900’s the Large Black Hogs were spread throughout Britain in outdoor pork production operations. The Large Black Hogs were imported into the U.S. in the 1950’s and again in the 1990’s where they were breed by a hand full of breeders for the exquisite and unique taste of the Large Black’s pork.

They were originally favored for many reasons including their hardiness, mothering ability, milk production and prolificacy. The Large Black is a very efficient pork producer because it can glean a large portion of it’s food from grazing. Unlike many breeds of hog, their black skin protects them from sunburn and enables them to live outdoors on open pastures.

The Large Black Hogs Breed Standard
The Large Black Hogs Hogs are aptly named large since they can reach weights upwards of 700 pounds or more. Their head is well proportioned of medium length with a long neck. The ears are large, thin and hang forward covering the eyes and most of the face. The chest is wide and deep with fine shoulders in line with the ribs. Their back is very long and strong with a broad loin. Ribs should be well sprung on a long deep body. The hams are very broad and full on well set, straight fat legs. The only acceptable color is solid black with fine straight black silky hair. The belly should have a straight underline with at least 12 evenly spaced teats starting well forward.

Temperament
They are among the most docile and friendly breed of hogs alive today. They typically move slowly and it is believed their slow movement is due to their obstructed vision from their large forward hanging ears. They rely more on their sense of smell and hearing than anything. Its typical for a Large Black Hog to freeze when they hear you approach until they can determine if you are friend or foe. It helps to talk to your pigs so as not to alarm them when you first enter their area.

The pigs start out shy but soon gain confidence and readily accept people. They are not aggressive toward humans and typically will not take up for themselves if attacked by other animals. Sows and boars learn their name and follow their owners like a dog. Large Black Hogs are a favorite with the children and visitors to the farm. Mother sows are protective yet tolerant of your gentle handling of their young. Even the boars are docile yet you should never fully trust a breeding age male of any species.

Large Black Hogs Are The Breed For Today
In order to have a successful outdoor pig operation, you must match the breed of pig to your particular farm environment. Since the heritage breeds were developed for outdoor production, they most certainly give you the best results. The Large Black is well equipped for pasture with its protective black skin that does not burn in the sun. They are also hardy enough to live in the northern parts of the U.S. and Canada.

The Large Black is truly a grazing pig. A mature dry sow can meet nearly all her nutritional demands on good pasture with legumes and young growing vegetation. A growing pig can glean up to half of his requirements from pasture while producing a better tasting, healthier pork than one raised strictly on grain.

Though any heritage breed can be used for pasture pork production, the Large Black has the added advantage of being easy on your pastures. Large Black Hogs graze without rooting and without ringing their nose. As long as your pastures are palatable, the Large Black Hogs will graze the top and move on to the next paddock in the rotation. They can easily be trained to electric fencing and flourish in rotational grazing systems. They are a grazing pig but they are still a pig so they will certainly make a mud wallow near their water source. This is necessary to cool themselves in the heat since pigs dont sweat .

Taste
The only reason we raise hogs to begin with is for their pork, so just how does the taste of a Large Black compare to other breeds? The answer, exceptional! When processed at around 200 pounds, the pork is lean yet micro-marbled for a moist product on the grill or in the oven. The texture of the pork is extra tender due to the short muscle fibers which has earned it a place in some of the most exclusive restaurants in New York and Europe. The meat is slightly darker in color with an old world flavor. Large Black Hogs are also famous for their exceptional bacon.


Conclusion
The Large Black Hog is a heritage pig perfect for todays pasture pork production. This tender and moist pork with the old world flavor will become a staple on your customers plates. Its been said that the way to a mans heart is through his stomach but this pig will steal your heart long before it reaches your table.
Written by Kay Wolfe.

Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: KFhunter on September 18, 2014, 08:44:24 AM
So what is your target hog farm size?  500, 1000, 5000 ?

I don't know at this point, we'll see how it goes. 


Beef is insane right now  :yike:    tough market to get into,  about the time I get some breeding pairs on the ground the market could drop considerably, as it would take a few years to build a herd and start selling. 

Hogs are very obtainable, but there is a couple of factors I'm hedging against.   One is the hog virus that's sweeping across the US in the commercial hog industry.

http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/04/27/us-usa-pork-pig-virus-idUSBREA3Q0IC20140427 (http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/04/27/us-usa-pork-pig-virus-idUSBREA3Q0IC20140427)
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/13/us-usa-hogs-virus-idUSBREA2C23Z20140313 (http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/13/us-usa-hogs-virus-idUSBREA2C23Z20140313)
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/05/140501-pigs-virus-meat-prices-food-science-health/ (http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/05/140501-pigs-virus-meat-prices-food-science-health/)

Quote
Virus "Scares the Tar Out of You"

Losses can be catastrophic. Greg Lear, a hog producer near Spencer, Iowa, says the disease showed up in his barns on December 21 last year, and he and his employees were soon overwhelmed. "It was about 850 little pigs that didn't make it," he says. "For three weeks, it was 100 percent death. It was really tough."

PEDv first appeared in the United States in Ohio last May, and has since spread to 30 states. Rodney "Butch" Baker, a swine biosecurity specialist at Iowa State University in Ames, recently told Reuters that about "a tablespoon of PEDv-infected manure is roughly enough to infect the entire U.S. hog herd."

"It just scares the tar out of you how much of this virus is out there and how easily it can be spread," says Lear.


Another is Chinese acquisition of Smithfield.   China is the largest hog consumption country, so our hogs grown here will go to feed the many mouths in China...driving up our hog costs and worse the cost of our feed locally.  More and more ground will have to come out of CRP and put into corn/grains, which during a drought who knows??

In the USA if you eat any pork product out of a box store odds are very good it came through Smithfield doors, Smithfield provides meat under many different labels...and now it's Chinese owned  :puke:  Why would the US allow foreigners to control any part of our food supply chain???  Chinese are buy bigAG industry as fast as we can sell it.   :bash: :bash: :bash:

Anyways - I'm going to raise pastured hogs in the traditional old world style.  My brother is in Germany learning how they raise hogs there, the meat they put out puts our meat to shame.  It's not even in the same ball park.  Large Blacks don't root and rototiller supposedly,  so I can put them in my alfalfa fields and not have them turn it over for me  :chuckle:

 
Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: grundy53 on September 18, 2014, 11:42:28 AM
Tagging.

sent from my typewriter

Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: black hog on September 18, 2014, 07:57:17 PM
I have raised these pigs in the past and they are great for sure I might be able to find you a boar but it won't be cheap as far as rooting goes they most definitely root so be careful about your fields especially if you want them to get most of their food from pasture also you will want to keep in mind the cost of feed retail can run as much as 700 dollars per ton and these pigs grow slower than standard breed pigs so you will.be about a half ton of grain per pig to finish so raising a litter of 10 could get very expensive by no means am I trying to talk you out of this just wanted to give you some information. The disease You talk of is very real make sure if you have visitors from other farms you have them rinse their boots or shoes in a bleach water mix before they go anywhere near your animals let know if you would like me to locate a boar for you
Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: JJB11B on September 18, 2014, 08:00:31 PM
are you talking about bloody scours? I had to stop raising hogs in high school becuase of that
Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: KFhunter on September 19, 2014, 08:26:21 AM
I have raised these pigs in the past and they are great for sure I might be able to find you a boar but it won't be cheap as far as rooting goes they most definitely root so be careful about your fields especially if you want them to get most of their food from pasture also you will want to keep in mind the cost of feed retail can run as much as 700 dollars per ton and these pigs grow slower than standard breed pigs so you will.be about a half ton of grain per pig to finish so raising a litter of 10 could get very expensive by no means am I trying to talk you out of this just wanted to give you some information. The disease You talk of is very real make sure if you have visitors from other farms you have them rinse their boots or shoes in a bleach water mix before they go anywhere near your animals let know if you would like me to locate a boar for you

Picking up swine feed (non-gmo) $109.50 / 1000 lbs super sacks.

Hoping some open grazing will cut feed costs,, since I'm not running cattle right now I got plenty of pasture for a few hogs.
Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: curtdiesel on September 19, 2014, 09:49:08 AM
I'm interested to find out how hard they are on your pasture.  I have some goats in my back yard and my daughter would love to raise a pig with her.  If it didn't mess stuff up too bad and I could buy it in the early spring and butcher it late fall then I would be all for buying one next year.
Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: lokidog on September 19, 2014, 10:03:59 AM
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.
Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: wafisherman on September 19, 2014, 10:57:21 AM
most breeds of hogs are bulldozers and will dig and root like crazy.  If you have a yard or even a nice looking barnyard, it will be screwed up in no time.  They'll move pretty large objects around, dump them over, dig up things you'd wish they didn't, and any time the ground is wet, they'll really go deep.  The more hogs in an area, the sooner it will turn into a mud bog.  They relentlessly dig and root and love turning everything they can into mud soup.  Pasture raising is great, but they will put fences to the test, electric or not. 

I have a pretty good backyard hog system down.  I raise 2-4 per year.  Keep half hog for my family and sell the others by the half hog.  I let them free range for the first few months, then move into a smaller pen for a month or so for some fresh browse\grass\weeds\veggies I let grow there, and then the last few months, yet another pen that has been sitting and growing stuff for the right moment.  This final pen is built from 5x16 foot heavy wire hog panels.  I have 8 I think it is.  I use long t-posts and then just use heavy zip ties.  I keep them loose on the posts so the panels will be harder to dig under as they sink down as they dig.  They need a shelter and dry spot to sleep and get out of the mud and cold.  A cold hog will not grow as fast as a hog who can warm up and dry off when he wants and sleeps.  Fresh straw to sleep in as needed.  I also feed some orchard grass and yard waste and branches for them to chew on, and since they are next to my garden, it is easy to just toss over any garden scraps and plants that are done for the year.  I also have a deal with a local produce stand where they have bins out back to toss fruit and veggies that are no longer sellable.  I pick up the bins a few times a week.  I also have friend who has a commercial goat milk farm.  I pick up several gallons of their unsold milk each week for the pigs. I also make rounds to a few local bakery outlets to get expired bread.  I love to increase the breads the last month especially, along with more grains. 

Anyway, I enjoy it and love the final product of course.  If I had more property, I'd likely raise more.  There is a good market if know how and where to advertise.  The Seattle\Bellevue area is full of 'foodies' who love to eat food from local farms, especially if they know the person raising it.  But I do fine just selling to my friends, family, and co-workers.  This year I decided to offer to this forum and sold out pretty fast.  I don't make any money out of it, but about break even so that my family's pork is basically free.  Increase to just a few more hogs and I'd be turning a bit of a profit.  But the initial investment in fencing, feeders, shelter, etc is something to watch.  And anything you can do to keep feed cost low, yet obviously clean and healthy so they grow fast and efficient, will really help.  I wouldn't count on the pasture raised approach to save you much on feed.  They expended energy running around and rooting around property will probably cancel out a lot of the savings in what they manage to root up and graze off the land.  To really put on weight fast and reach market weight of 250-300lbs in about 6months, you'll need to give them most of their food from something besides pasture\grass\hay.
Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: black hog on September 19, 2014, 06:02:18 PM
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
Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: JimmyHoffa on September 19, 2014, 06:13:18 PM
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.
Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: nwwanderer on September 19, 2014, 06:50:30 PM
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.
Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: DRENALINJUNKIE on September 19, 2014, 07:07:05 PM
Tag
Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: nwwanderer on September 19, 2014, 07:24:36 PM
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
Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: Boss .300 winmag on September 19, 2014, 07:29:03 PM
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!  :chuckle:
Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: KFhunter on September 19, 2014, 08:09:10 PM
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/ (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.

Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: KFhunter on September 19, 2014, 08:19:29 PM
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  :tup:

foodie hog of choice,  and they're really expensive  :o
Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: lokidog on September 19, 2014, 08:25:07 PM
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!  :chuckle:

Hmmmm.........   :rolleyes:

"check out Mangalitsa hogs"   Thanks KF.
Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: JimmyHoffa on September 19, 2014, 08:45:09 PM
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.
Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: wafisherman on September 20, 2014, 12:11:10 PM
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 :)
Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: KFhunter on September 22, 2014, 11:14:07 AM
So I picked up a boar,  man he's one ugly pig  :chuckle:

but holy cow is he looooong!   gotta be 4 feet of bacon on that bad boy
Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: bigdave on September 22, 2014, 11:59:30 AM
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.
Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: SniperDanWA on September 23, 2014, 05:51:02 PM
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
Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: KFhunter on October 29, 2014, 05:30:22 PM
Well the boar has done what boars do  :tup:

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.
Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: Southpole on October 29, 2014, 05:35:34 PM
Can you post a picture of your boar, I'd love to see what he looks like :)
Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: BOWHUNTER45 on October 29, 2014, 05:37:43 PM
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!  :chuckle:
:chuckle: :chuckle: That's O.K We can go and help him thin a few out after he is over run with them  :bfg: :archery_smiley:
Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: quadrafire on October 29, 2014, 05:43:45 PM
And when was the last time you heard of a pack of wolves killing pigs?.......... ;)
Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: KFhunter on October 29, 2014, 05:45:50 PM
this work? 

(https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10291053_837380029647482_2018920436525328290_n.jpg?oh=ab0d8164e0b117b240717a5cca8c02ae&oe=54E3F552&__gda__=1425348586_305e1f4634379dbd2a25ed46f470bb84)

 :chuckle:  She's checking out the bacon

(https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpf1/v/t1.0-9/10177503_837380046314147_5828785830999370359_n.jpg?oh=ff557c00b87cc5fa056eff89e4a5e66b&oe=54B83243&__gda__=1420459049_22677359d47ce669beec0f5ad7468485)


I put that fence in to keep the dog in the yard, it's worked great with the electric along the bottom and top.  Gets lot's of exercise in there and I don't have to worry about her hunting the quail in the field without me there.   She don't come out the yard w/o a check cord on.  Got some pigeons too and a bunch of feral coming when I trap em.  Neighbor has a barn full.
Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: KFhunter on October 29, 2014, 05:47:01 PM
(http://www.homesteadingtoday.com/attachments/pigs/38374d1414086429-pasturing-planting-rotational-grazing-20141023_103019.jpg)
Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: KFhunter on October 29, 2014, 05:47:40 PM
I'll get some better pics of the boar up soon
Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: Southpole on October 30, 2014, 07:03:38 AM
Wow, look at them ears! Those hogs are a lot leggier than I was expecting. Good lookin' pigs though :tup: Thanks for the pics!
Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: KFhunter on October 30, 2014, 11:24:36 AM
(http://images.craigslist.org/01414_bDRmHE2zvXj_600x450.jpg)

(http://images.craigslist.org/00l0l_eIQONeB5Cyz_600x450.jpg)

(http://images.craigslist.org/01414_bDRmHE2zvXj_600x450.jpg)


http://spokane.craigslist.org/grd/4738622955.html (http://spokane.craigslist.org/grd/4738622955.html)
Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: KFhunter on October 30, 2014, 11:28:41 AM
http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/swine/tamworth/ (http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/swine/tamworth/)

Evaluating the Breed

The Tamworth is a rugged, thrifty, very active breed of swine that is favored by many persons who are interested in raising a lean-type hog. The sows, like those of the Yorkshire breed, are excellent mothers and do a good job of suckling their litters. The Tamworth is an extremely high-quality breed and is the most active breed of swine that we have in America. People who particularly want hogs that will rustle behind cattle or harvest or salvage crops sometimes prefer Tamworths. The Tamworth has the reputation of producing the best bacon of any of our breeds and is uniform in type. It is one of the most prepotent of the breeds in fixing its type of offspring.
Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: Bob33 on October 30, 2014, 11:29:09 AM
I might also just use insemination once I get things going better.
You're not from Enumclaw, are you?
Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: KFhunter on October 30, 2014, 11:29:50 AM
 :chuckle:


NO
Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: KFhunter on October 30, 2014, 11:36:59 AM
Ai isn't going to happen, I got to reading and I guess it's dang near impossible to tell when a LBH sow is in heat.

I thought maybe I was a newb because I was having a hard time figuring out her cycle  :chuckle:
Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: skeeter 20i on October 30, 2014, 11:39:06 AM
 :tup: Love the Brit in the picture reminds me of ours in her younger days out in the back.
Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: Southpole on October 30, 2014, 02:30:34 PM
AI is a pain. I don't know about hogs, but you really got to be around your animals a lot to pull off AI. Like dairy farmers, they're around their cows in the morning and late afternoon every single day so they observe them often for behavior changes, they get pretty good at timing. I tried going with AI with a single Angus cow I had. She lived with 15 other steers so they would follow her around to give me a clue as to what was up, but timing was everything. If you AI too soon it won't take if you AI too late, well it's too late. Sometimes I just wasn't around enough to notice anything... Yeah, it's a pain :( I wouldn't recommend it unless you go big time.
Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: nwwanderer on November 10, 2014, 01:17:11 PM
I can teach a 10 year old to AI pigs in a few minutes, the pain is the cost of overnight shipping fresh semen and the heat detection.  If you need 40 doses shipped together the cost is manageable.  For one sow, yikes!!  Sows are much easier to settle than gilts.  The real people selling semen are swine genetics international (SGI) and international boar semen (IBS).  Check them out.  Frozen semen is available but not yet perfected and methods must be followed very carefully. 
Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: Snakeriver10 on November 19, 2014, 08:51:46 AM
For all people looking to get into raising pigs, I would suggest very highly in having a concrete pen, you don't need allot of room, you want most of the feed to go into growing, not into energy to run around.  Pigs are very clean animals though, just not when dirt is involved and I also believes by having no dirt around, it gives a cleaner taste of meat.  Really a simple animal to raise though and are great for kids to show in 4h and FFA without too much effort.
Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: nwwanderer on November 26, 2014, 06:14:56 AM
Ditto with Snakeriver 10, a yard of concrete, some curbs, a little vapor barrier and foam board where they sleep and a frost free nipple waterier makes for happy healthy pigs.  Got a patch of quakegrass that needs to be a garden?  Temporary fence it and let the rooters clean it up.  No plowing needed.  Then back to the permanent pen.
Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: jasnt on December 22, 2014, 10:59:40 AM
For all people looking to get into raising pigs, I would suggest very highly in having a concrete pen, you don't need allot of room, you want most of the feed to go into growing, not into energy to run around.  Pigs are very clean animals though, just not when dirt is involved and I also believes by having no dirt around, it gives a cleaner taste of meat.  Really a simple animal to raise though and are great for kids to show in 4h and FFA without too much effort.
I agree, we keep all our hogs on concrete except in their barn(plank bottoms) we used 2" galvanized pipe for posts set in the concrete. Then attached either chain link fencing or welded wire panels. Then poured our concrete. Pig will destroy just about all they can touch! Our huts are floating(air gap underneath) and surrounded by concrete yard.  Had to anchor the huts as well cause they would push the huts around once they realized it moves.  Fort Knox was our plan. Once a pig learns how to escape they quickly become pros!
Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: KFhunter on December 22, 2014, 03:03:05 PM
haven't had to contain little feeder pigs yet, but electric fence has these two well under control.

They don't go near it,  I didn't realize it was unplugged for a week and still no tracks in the snow within 3 feet of the electric fence.   

I got the biggest meanest charger I could find and when it hits you hear a good loud  *snap* and very loud squeal, the boar wasn't fence trained but he learned really quick.  The sow was fence trained and she's never been zapped that I know, she recognized the electric for what it was and stayed well clear.  Now the boar doesn't go near it either.


I used metal T posts and ran a ground wire all the way around the pen wrapped around the T posts several times then on to the next T post.  Works very well.

Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: Birdguy on February 01, 2015, 01:48:57 PM
KFhunter, getting close to piglets, what about three weeks give or take? Are you all set up? What does your farrowing stall look like? From what I have heard and read you could be in for a larger litter. I have been following this thread from the beginning. Best of luck to you.
Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: KFhunter on February 09, 2015, 07:26:28 PM
It's day 114 - I got my fingers crossed.  Her teets have dropped, no milk yesterday.  I didn't squeeze them today.  I'll give them a pinch tomorrow see if there's milk yet.


For the stall I've made a 6x10 shed with 3 feet of it blocked off with a pass under and a heat lamp on that side. 
Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: wadu1 on February 09, 2015, 07:56:30 PM
Hope everything goes well, it's been fun reading all the posts on your pig project. Hope to see photos soon of little slabs of bacon running around.  :chuckle:
Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: KFhunter on February 19, 2015, 06:27:53 PM
no piglets yet, getting worried


Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: jasnt on February 19, 2015, 06:42:38 PM
If this is her first time they often carry late.
Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: KFhunter on February 19, 2015, 09:24:43 PM
Suppose to be her 3rd litter,  when I picked up the sow she had one weaner left with her still pulling on a teet

the boar sired a lot of pigs and was replaced by a new non-related boar.

So they're both proven,  she stood for the boar on 10/19/2014 and didn't budge until he got down about 5 minutes later.


Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: jasnt on February 19, 2015, 09:33:25 PM
Sounds like it should be good. We have had sevrel sows go 4 months. What is her attitude like. Is she extra talkative? Quick low grunts? Has milk dropped?
If her teats don't look FULL! Tight skinned and attitude hasn't noticeable changed I'd say you have a couple weeks left and she didn't take that particular cycle
Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: KFhunter on February 19, 2015, 11:50:02 PM
I could spot a pregger cow a mile off, but pigs are harder to tell.   Vulva expanded some, bit more droopy than in summer but not a lot, not like a cow. 
Teets are more formed, but no bag to them and belly isn't low enough.

wondering if she didn't take that breeding, but afterwards she always kept the boar off her never witnessed another heat cycle after that.   


Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: Birdguy on February 20, 2015, 08:57:25 PM
It should be quite evident if she is as close as you are thinking. By now it should be very clear. If she is running with the boar she may have taken the next cycle. With both pigs proven it should be a done deal. Good luck and still looking to see these piglets.
Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: KFhunter on February 21, 2015, 10:50:55 AM
I had them together all summer only separated them a week before I thought she'd drop,  hopefully the next cycle took or I got a boar shooting blanks or a sow that won't take or both.

Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: KFhunter on March 11, 2015, 09:50:55 PM
OK

no piglets yet, she was supposedly bred 10/19 when I witness the boar mounted for a long period of time.  I left the boar in with her for almost 4 months only took him out a week before she should have been due..so I guess he was in 3 months 2 weeks with her, so should have covered several cycles if she didn't take.  I never witnessed her standing or acting like she did when the boar bred her after 10/19.  She pursued the boar...demanded to be bred.

no real signs of her being ready either, might have seen some clear discharge today though but no milk. 



wondering if I should sausage them both or try a new boar?  boar was a breeder from a guy with lot's of pigs seen a lot of service,  sow had a couple weeners with her when I picked her up.  both proven.



I got in line for a couple of fair pigs so at least the kiddies will have something to show in FFA
Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: jasnt on March 12, 2015, 05:54:28 AM
How olds the boar? He may have gotten lazy.  After 3 months she should be good to go. We often keep the boar with the sows about 8-10 weeks.  When the sows become touch-me-nots with the boar they are normally bred.  She may have taken way later than you thought also. 

Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: nwwanderer on March 12, 2015, 12:48:50 PM
There is a boat load of disease issues that cause infertility, do not fight her too long, it costs a buck a day to feed her.
Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: Netminder01 on March 12, 2015, 01:15:59 PM
tag
Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: Birdguy on March 12, 2015, 08:25:34 PM
Still hoping for you KF been following this thread for months. Post a few pictures of the sow if you get the chance she should be showing even if she took the second heat cycle. I would think that she should have come into heat making it real easy to tell she was not bred. Issues you never figured you would have  :bash:.
Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: jasnt on March 12, 2015, 10:46:47 PM
One thing to also keep in mind. Sows cycle every 18-21 days.  You know one of her cycles was 10/19 so you can do the math and get a better due date guess. 2nd cycle, 3rd cycle.  If she was with the boar for 90 days that could have been 4cycles.  Lol too bad you can't just candle her like and egg lol
Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: KFhunter on March 12, 2015, 11:03:33 PM
ultra sound is how you candle them  :chuckle:   expensive so I won't go that route.


the boar isn't lazy, he works her pretty good every day he was in with her.  Always lifting on her belly with his nose and if he's not doing that he's sniffin' the backside.  He did this every day multiple times usually after feeding and maybe a time or two on pasture. She makes a squeal noise and runs off a bit if he even thinks about mounting.  I'm still hoping she pregger, but she's not a balloon.  I took some pics see if I can post em later.



Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: KFhunter on March 12, 2015, 11:06:06 PM
Only thing I can think of that I might have messed up is I was feeding them hay I couldn't sell to horse people, had a bad spot on one end of the bale maybe with some mold.  Not a lot, just the exposed ends of the bale that weren't buried in the stack.

Got to reading online and mold can make pregnancy issues or cause abortion.
Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: Birdguy on April 14, 2015, 07:27:43 PM
KF, Still nothing???? Are you still feeding these pigs?
Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: KFhunter on April 16, 2015, 07:21:57 PM
ya I'm still feeding them but they're going out on range here soon.  I thought the sow was going to pop a week ago, had clear discharge and an elongated vulva. 

Boar is not interested in her, I'm going to cut his nuts off and eat him.


Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: Widgeondeke on April 17, 2015, 07:39:02 AM
Your gonna eats his nuts?  :yike:

Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: Special T on April 17, 2015, 04:26:58 PM
 :EAT:
Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: Southpole on April 18, 2015, 10:10:05 AM
When I was in high school we had a piglet castration lesson in our agriculture class one day. A couple of the guys in my class sliced the "remains" and fried them in an electric skillet. They were pretty good, tasted like spam.
Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: KFhunter on April 22, 2015, 10:47:45 PM
Your gonna eats his nuts?  :yike:

why not?   You've ate lot's of them in your hog dogs and sausages.

j/k

no I ain't eating them  :puke:
Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: Jonathan_S on May 01, 2015, 12:59:25 PM
When I was in high school we had a piglet castration lesson in our agriculture class one day. A couple of the guys in my class sliced the "remains" and fried them in an electric skillet. They were pretty good, tasted like spam.

That's what Spam is.  Ham and...well you figure it out.  I don't want to get banned.
Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: luvmystang67 on May 04, 2015, 08:03:19 AM
You're going to eat a boar?  Even if you castrate him and feed him for a while, I still think that might be kinda gross except sausage...  I don't KNOW this, just speculation.

We did a lot of AI work after having to deal with boars for a while.  It is nice because you're able to get some dynamite bloodlines.  Sort of a pain in the butt, but easier than feeding, dealing with and caring for a boar.

 :twocents:
Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: jasnt on May 04, 2015, 10:07:21 AM
We've ate our boars. Pork is pork. We never even castrated ours :dunno:
Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: Jonathan_S on May 04, 2015, 11:15:58 AM
You're going to eat a boar?  Even if you castrate him and feed him for a while, I still think that might be kinda gross except sausage...  I don't KNOW this, just speculation.

We did a lot of AI work after having to deal with boars for a while.  It is nice because you're able to get some dynamite bloodlines.  Sort of a pain in the butt, but easier than feeding, dealing with and caring for a boar.

 :twocents:

IMO the only downside to boars is the aggressiveness.  Same with bulls.  Taste-wise - nothing to gripe about in my experience.
Title: Re: HOGS
Post by: Bigshooter on May 05, 2015, 10:30:29 PM
I cut a boar one time that I thought only had one nut.  We raised him for ourself to butcher.  At about 5 months old he started mounting the other pigs we where raising him with.  We talked to a lot of people and everyone said no big deal butcher him and it will be fine.  So that is what we did.  The slaughter guy found a deformed nut that didn't drop.  When we got it back from the butcher I tried to fry some pork chops and the smell about made me puke.  It was a strong boar smell that you will smell when a boar is getting ready to breed.  We thought that the bacon and sausage would be better but it was the same.  I could not bare to smell it being cooked.  And there is no way you could get me to eat it.  I have also bought store bought pork chops a time or two that had that same boar smell when being cooked.  I stay away from boar meat.
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