How to Care for Pigs on a Homestead

In general, taking care of pigs on a homestead is like caring for a large dog. You need food, water, shelter, and basic veterinary needs. However, the amount and type of food, access to fresh water, and having a fenced in area will demand extra care for pigs. 

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How much space does one pig need?

Pigs do not require a lot of space, but they like to move around and need exercise to maintain their muscle. On average, one pig will need 6 square feet, with 4 of the square feet covered to protect them from the elements. 

However, pigs enjoy the enrichment of foraging and playing in open spaces. Providing a pig with space to run and root up the ground is important for their wellbeing. Some individuals provide whole pumpkins or big squash for the pigs to push around, play with, and then eat. Others provide balls or heavy rocks and branches.

How do I Transport my Pigs to my Home? 

When transporting several piglets, you will want to have a trailer or other large container to transport them in. For a small group of piglets, 2 to 6, use a large dog crate or rubber bins with bedding in the back of an SUV or truck to transport them.

It is always best to use what you have, to save on cost. If picking up 2 pigs from your local seller, bring a rubber tub with 6 to 8 inches of sawdust or hay in the bottom and place them in the tub, in the vehicle with you. Once your piglets arrive to their destination, they will be stressed and scared. Do not be alarmed if they defecate or make a lot of noise. 

Be sure to have their shelter and fenced in space ready for when they arrive. 

What do I need for a Pig Shelter?

Pigs need a shelter that will protect them from the elements, provide shade, and keep them dry. Shelters can consist of pallets, pressure treated wood, metal panels or anything on hand that can be built to withstand the wind, rain, and sun. 

Shelters consist of 3 sides and a roof, a dry floor, and does not need to be very tall. Some individuals use old pallets and lean them in an A-Frame style with a tarp to keep the insides dry. Pigs prefer an earthen floor, but if concrete is what you have, be sure to provide plenty of soft bedding. In addition, you can make the pig pen movable to let the pigs have new ground to root in and forage. 

About the Bedding

Bedding materials consist of straw, hay, mulch, sawdust, or other dry plant matter. Using 4 to 6 inches of bedding is necessary to keep your pigs comfortable. You will want to replace any bedding that is wet or soured with excrement. If several pigs are in one shelter, the bedding may need to be changed daily. When using hay bedding, keep in mind that it can get soppy quickly, but doubles as a food source for pigs. 

Wood chips or mulch can help prevent the malodorous stench that comes from pig feces. If the bedding is dry, and the pig manure is covered with fresh wood chips the smell should dissipate. Keep in mind, this will cause a breakdown of the woodchips into a compost mixture that can double use in the garden. However, by piling the wood and manure together the mixture will get hot and can catch fire. Use a compost thermometer to ensure the temperature does not reach over 150F. 

A pig pen with good air flow and dry bedding will have little to no smell. 

Specialized Shelters and Features

Farrowing Hut

If raising pigs for breeding, you will need a farrowing hut. Farrowing is the act of a grown sow (female pig) giving birth. For a farrowing shelter, have a pen that the mother can rest in, and a farrowing rail to prevent newborn piglets from getting squashed. In addition, the mother will need plenty of fresh water and access to food during the birthing process. 

Hospital Hut

When raising several pigs in large groups, have a separate shelter for a hospital or sick hut. This space can be used for any piglets or pigs that are injured sick or need to be watched more closely. However, keep in mind that pigs are social creatures, so have this structure close to the other pigs. Keep a separate food and water trough for this structure to prevent a contagious disease from spreading. 

Wallow Pit

Pigs also may need a wallowing pit, or place of water to roll in. Nothing screams pig, like rolling in the mud! Wallows are typically a shallow puddle of water that is free of debris and rocks. Pigs cannot sweat; therefore, they roll in water and mud to keep themselves cool. Having a wallow pit is not necessary if you are able to keep the pigs cool in other ways. 

What kind of Fencing do pigs need?

Hog panel, or welded wire fencing can be used as a perimeter and shelter fence for pigs. In addition, it is recommended that electric fence is used as pigs like to use their snout to dig under fences. Using high tensile wire that is electrified will let help keep the pigs in. Most experts say using 2 wires is enough, one at eye level while standing, and one at eye level while rooting.

Keep in mind that if one pig escapes their enclosure, it will be hard to return to their pen, and they will remember how they originally escaped. 

Before bringing your pigs home, have a good fence in place. 

For more about fencing visit our article about fencing here. 

What Weather can Pigs Survive?

Mature pigs thrive in temperatures ranging from 50F to 80F. When temperatures drop below 50F pigs may lose weight as they like to be kept warm. If temperatures rise above 80F pigs can go into heat stress or heat stroke depending on their size.

If raising pigs in a colder climate, be sure that their shelter can withstand the colder temperatures. Use insulation, or a small pen inside a larger barn to provide more warm air. In addition, providing plenty of dry bedding can also help with keeping pigs warmer in colder climates.

Raising pigs in warmer climates will require a space for pigs to cool off. Using a wallow pit or having a place for pigs to get wet will help keep them cool. Utilizing plenty of shade will also help keep pigs cool. Some backyard farmers use a kids swimming pool in the summer months!

What Kind of Food do Pigs Need?

Generally, pigs will eat about 3lbs of food per day. For instance, the most common foods are grass, grain, alfalfa, and a variety of fruits and vegetables.

Once a piglet is weaned from milk, you can feed it grasses, grains, and other feeds. For piglets, use small rubber bins to put their feed in. As the piglets grow, they will get more competitive for food. In this case, you may want to use a longer trough or even an automatic feeder. 

Small bins are easily pushed around and turned over, as are small feeders. When picking a feeding system for your pigs, consider their strength and ability to push things over. Experts recommend having an automatic feeder attached outside of their pen with the feeding trough inside. This prevents the pigs from knocking it over and damaging the equipment as well as eating all the food. 

No matter how many pigs you have, you want to make sure they have food available all the time.

Purchasing Food

Grass can be provided on pasture or purchased as hay. Grain feed is sold at most agriculture stores like Tractor Supply and will need to be 15-20% crude protein. Mineral supplements may also be provided but are recommended to be “free choice.” Free choice allows the pigs to choose to have them or not. Pigs are very smart when it comes to food, they will eat what they want and discard the rest.

Growing Food and a Pig Bucket

The most cost-effective way to feed your pigs other than letting them forage for themselves, is to grow your own fruits and vegetables and give the pigs your scraps. This only works for a couple of pigs otherwise the labor will outweigh the benefit. 

You can give your pigs any overgrown fruits or vegetables. For example, okra that you somehow missed and is the size of a child’s arm, can be given to the pigs. It is a challenge for them to open it and eat it. 

Older farmers talk about a “pig bucket” that would be left in the kitchen every day. This bucket would get all the scraps from cooking, and anything left on plates. They recommend that nothing should be wasted, and the garbage truck should never have to visit. The only exception they make is the meat, which scraps should go to the dogs.

These recommendations also come with using the dish water in the pig bucket. By rinsing the dishes lightly with some water, the grease and other nutriments will go into the pig bucket and provide even more benefit to the pigs. However, do not use soap when rinsing the dishes, only water. Afterwards wash your dishes as you see fit without the pig bucket underneath. 

Foraging Food

Pigs are natural foragers and use their snouts to dig in the ground for grubs, insects, roots, and small plants. If available, allow your pigs to forage for their food encouraging exercise, but also health of your land. Pigs will eat several varieties of weeds, grasses, mushrooms, roots, and bugs. They also may chew on charred wood for minerals. 

Poisonous Food

There are some plants that are poisonous to pigs. However, don’t be alarmed, pigs are very smart and will avoid these plants, unless they are starving. Here is a list of some of the plants that are poisonous to pigs.

In addition, pigs should not be fed meat of any kind as this may lead to parasites within them like tapeworms or other diseases. 

Water for Pigs

Pigs need fresh, clean water, all the time. On average, pigs will drink about 3 gallons of water per day, per pig. Some individuals use a water trough or tub that they refill throughout the day, others use a watering system with nipples and a drum of water.

Whatever system you decide to go with, be sure that it is secured to the ground, or kept where the pigs cannot destroy it. For example, if using a nipple system, place the nipple through a wood post on their enclosure and feed it to a water drum outside of their encloser. This will prevent them from knocking the drum over or damaging the pipes. Amazon sells watering nipples that can be used for more than just pigs, purchase them at this link https://amzn.to/3IAisvT

If the pigs you have are not trained to using a nipple watering system, simply smear some peanut butter on them and they will find it. With pigs being intelligent creatures, you may even demonstrate where the water is, and they can learn. 

Pigs will also try to get into the water to cool off, therefore contaminating it. Keeping a system that is clean is very important to prevent disease and prevent harm to your pigs. Dehydration is a common issue with pigs. If their water is contaminated, they may not drink it. In addition, if you live in a colder climate, make sure their water does not freeze over. If a pig goes without water for 48 hours or 2 days, it will die. 

Can I only have one pig?

It is not recommended to have only one pig; however, you can raise one pig on it’s own. Like most animals, pigs will do better with another of their kind to socialize with. Having only one pig, may cause boredom which can lead to aggression or destruction. 

Pigs to Purchase

When deciding on a pig to care for on your homestead, there are a few options.

1. Weaner (piglet): usually 4 to 6 weeks old and about 40lbs
2. Feeder (piglet): no longer taking mom’s milk, about 2 months old, more commonly purchased and used for slaughter
3. Barrow: a neutered boy pig, used for slaughter once he reaches around 200+lbs. 
4. Boar: adult male pig, used for breeding after 8 months, can be vicious and ill tempered, considered to be dangerous in most cases.
5. Gilt: young female pig who has not given birth. Used for breeding after 7 to 8 months
6. Sow: adult female pig used for birthing, can be very protective of young and will use their teeth and bodies to protect them. However, they can also be very loving and sweet. 

Pig Breeds commonly used for Homesteads

• Duroc
• Gloucester old spot
• Wessex saddleback
• Welsh 
• American Yorkshire pig
• Berkshire pig
• Tamworth pig
• Chester white pig
• Large black pig
• Hampshire pig
• Hereford pig
• Landrace pig
• Spotted pig

Breeding

When taking care of pigs, you may want to breed them and have piglets at some point. Taking one sow and one boar can produce anywhere from 6 to 20 piglets. Health, breed, and maturity of the animals will cause the number to differ. 

Breeding pigs is considered a difficult operation as boars and sows may be picky with their mates. In addition, having only one boar and one sow mating regularly may cause deformities or even sterilization of the animals. 

For small scale homesteads, having a couple feeder pigs is more manageable then breeding them. 

How much do pigs poop?

A mature pig can produce up to 11lbs of manure a day. Pigs will typically pick a spot to poop and urinate in, and they will not sleep or eat by their feces.

Pig poop is very high in nitrogen and works well as a fertilizer of sorts; however too much nitrogen can cause a very acidic environment. You can counteract the nitrogen with a carbon substance like wood chips or sawdust. Pig manure mixed with wood chips and other plant substance can be turned into rich compost.

Fun fact, pigs can eat poop. Yes, it is disgusting, but pigs eat poop looking for undigested nutrients. 

Predators and Pigs

When taking care of pigs, predators are something to look for. Pigs do not have many predators other than coyotes, large dogs, wolves, and bears. Pigs are strong and don’t have many threats as they can protect themselves. 

If you are concerned with the wildlife in your area, build a strong fence to protect your animals. 

Does my pig need to be groomed?

Pigs in general are content with the mud and dirt around them and do not need to be groomed if left to forage. 

If treating the pig more like a pet, you can bathe it similar to bathing a dog and brush them with a soft brush. Their eyes and ears may need to be cleaned as well to prevent infection if dirt collects there.

Taking care of pigs requires a strong relationship with the animal. Be sure to spend a lot of time with them as piglets to encourage them to be friendly and well mannered. Having a good relationship with them will also reduce stress to the animal if you are going to clean them.  

Hooves and Teeth

Pig hooves and canine teeth may need to be trimmed if they are sedentary. For young males, tusks can become a problem with tearing up fences, structures, and equipment. Trimming a tusk yourself can be dangerous, and the tusks will get much larger once the male reaches 2 years of age. If looking to have tusks removed, fractures can occur and may cause infection. It is best to trim them down with the care of a vet. 

Hooves may be trimmed by you or a veterinarian. Some pigs may require sedation for hoof and teeth trimming. Contact your local vet for recommendations. 

How long will my pig live?

A single mature pig can live up to 20 years old. Typically, the lifespan of a pig is shortened for meat production. Pigs are ready to be taken to slaughter around 5 to 7 months of age when they are weighing close to 200lbs or more. 

What diseases are pigs prone to? 

Diseases

Disclaimer: contact your veterinarian if you suspect anything wrong with your pig or pigs. This is a general list. 

• Rectal prolapse: the rectum is exerted outside of the anus, caused by intense coughing, or pigs piling on top of each other. Use sugar to try and return the rectum inside. *contact your vet before attempting this yourself* 
• Salt toxicity – poor feeding and running out of water or dehydration. Slowly provide water every 30 minutes until pig is satisfied. 
• Cannibalism – sows may eat their young if stressed or do not have enough food 
• Trichinella (tapeworm parasite) – if fed meat scraps pigs may develop a tapeworm. This can also affect humans if the tapeworm is ingested through food or meat. 
• Dry skin or flaky skin – keep environment clean and provide enough food
• Arthritis – common in older pigs and can cause lameness
• Worms: common from foraging as they are found in the dirt. Treat by using a dewormer or fresh garlic. Make sure feeds and water are not contaminated.
• Swine fever – from bacteria in the soil, treated with antibiotics 
• Lice and flies – keep their environment clean

Sanitation

Keeping pig pens and living areas sanitary is very important for the health of the pigs, and the health of their caretakers. Be sure to keep all food and water sources clean from feces and dirt. Remove manure from their housing and remove dead animals (if any) from the area.

Moving pigs to pasture is a natural sanitation method. However, if unable to do so, keep stationary pig pens dry and free of rotting debris. It is also important to disinfect any tools or equipment that is used with your pigs. Clean your shoes before visiting with your pigs, especially if visiting from another animals area. 

This infor sheet by APHIS (Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service) describes how to protect your pigs from disease with biosecurity. https://www.aphis.usda.gov/publications/animal_health/biosecurity-for-pigs-outdoor-access-infosheet.pdf

Vet Needs/Medical Needs

When taking care of pigs, having a bag of general animal first aid can come in handy. A digital thermometer, animal aspirin, liquid bandage, and sugar are common first aid items for pigs. 

Older farmers that want to take a more natural approach have used apple cider vinegar in the pigs’ water, and raw garlic in their food.

Talk with a local vet if you suspect your pigs are in poor health. Be sure to have clean boots and a gentle demeanor when going to take care of a sick pig. 

For more information, you can visit this article from Nelson Road Veterinary Clinic on some of the vaccines and other items a pig may need. 

http://www.nelsonroadvet.com/articles/livestock/pigs-2/pigs/

Pigs are very loving creatures and to some, will become part of the family. Taking care of them is the same responsibility as it would be to take care of your dogs and cats at home. 

Other Articles on Pigs

What are the Benefits of Pigs on a Homestead

https://boonstead.com/what-are-the-benefits-of-pigs-on-a-homestead/