Pastured Pork
2010 was our first year raising pigs. We spent 2009 researching, putting up fence and building a structure for them. We raise heritage breeds or crosses and purchase them as "weaner's" (freshly weaned from their mother) and will fatten them to market weight (about 230lbs.)
The pigs have approximately 2.5 acres to run around in. 1.5 acres consist of grasses while the other acre is brush ( small trees, shrubs, and oats/clover we have planted). This is a great space for the pigs as it will allow them to forage for a portion of their food (the other portion being local grains and garden scraps), with brush providing shade. A wallow cools them off in the hot summer months. Being dark coloured breeds the hogs will do excellent on pasture as will not get sunburned like pink or white breeds. We will not be putting nose rings in so the pigs will be able to root through the soil with their "bulldozer" snouts.
We love raising a few hogs each year. They are a comical animal, that comes when called and loves a scratch behind the ear. They also love food, sleeping under a shady tree, & wallowing. The meat from pasture raised pork is exceptional.
The pigs have approximately 2.5 acres to run around in. 1.5 acres consist of grasses while the other acre is brush ( small trees, shrubs, and oats/clover we have planted). This is a great space for the pigs as it will allow them to forage for a portion of their food (the other portion being local grains and garden scraps), with brush providing shade. A wallow cools them off in the hot summer months. Being dark coloured breeds the hogs will do excellent on pasture as will not get sunburned like pink or white breeds. We will not be putting nose rings in so the pigs will be able to root through the soil with their "bulldozer" snouts.
We love raising a few hogs each year. They are a comical animal, that comes when called and loves a scratch behind the ear. They also love food, sleeping under a shady tree, & wallowing. The meat from pasture raised pork is exceptional.