This years project for the children...pig?

[dave1949]

I here you! I don't even think about how many 50# bags of feed went into our turkeys. It's the second part I'm after, and I just can't put a price on that.



Good info there, we've got a processor about 10 min away I was planning to use. Getting a pig there alive might be an adventure...

Thanks, all and keep the advice comming.

Having a horse trailer/stock trailer lined up for pig-to-processor day is the easiest. Build your pen such that a trailer can be backed up to a gate. That takes a good bit of space.

You don't want a pig rodeo, no sir. They are fast and strong, and might bite if they get riled up. If you have some fence panels to form a chute into the trailer, that is best. You withhold feed the day before butchering, so they will be hungry and out of sorts to begin with. Tossing some food like corn into the trailer helps draw them in.

I think for a hobby pig or three, I would get hog panels from TSC or wherever. That is probably the most durable for the cost. Easy to take down and store too. You can cut some trees and lay the logs in a trench to keep them from rooting under the panels. As said, make everything strong and durable.

 

[joshuabardwell]

You withhold feed the day before butchering, so they will be hungry and out of sorts to begin with. Tossing some food like corn into the trailer helps draw them in.

We always start feeding them in the trailer a few weeks before processing. It sometimes takes them a few days to work up the nerve to climb in. I've had a timid pig go up to three days without food before going in. If I don't start way early, getting the pig loaded can be a real trial.

 

[sea2summit]

Don't name the pig.

Unless you plan on keeping it for a pet.

Our policy is if we plan to eat it, it is named for a meal (i.e. Thanksgiving) or it has an expiration date. Just started the expiration date's and I'm liking the method.

I think for a hobby pig or three, I would get hog panels from TSC or wherever. That is probably the most durable for the cost. Easy to take down and store too. You can cut some trees and lay the logs in a trench to keep them from rooting under the panels.

I was thinking about looking for some panels on CL, proabably started my train of thought a little late but hopefully someone didn't pull their fence down until spring cleaning.

 

[dave1949]

We always start feeding them in the trailer a few weeks before processing. It sometimes takes them a few days to work up the nerve to climb in. I've had a timid pig go up to three days without food before going in. If I don't start way early, getting the pig loaded can be a real trial.

What? Pigs being pig-headed? :laughing:

That's a good method if you have the trailer around.

 

[boxorox]

if you get one you can feed them scraps and go by the day old bakery and ask for moldy bread and some fruit stands will give old rotten fruit and vegetables my pigs have allways been wild ones Ive cought soon I will be catching some more if you were anywhere near jax fl I would give you one there hardy just feed as they usually live in the woods.