Pigs are the most intelligent barnyard animal you can own. Being smart enough to rival dogs pigs can be amusing to raise. Its efficient to start with a just-weaned pig, called a shoat, in early spring and fatten it up during summer. By fall when it reaches about 220 pounds, it can be butchered into 150 pounds of edible meat.
A Good Hog
Modern hogs are bred to be leaner than the ones bred 50 years ago. You can tell a meat-type hog from its wide, straight stance; its long, lean, muscular physique; and its thick shoulders and upper back legs (hams).
Feeding
A pig needs 3 pounds of feed to gain a pound of weight, or a 600 to 700 pounds to reach slaughtering weight. Commercial feeds provide ample vitamins, minerals, proteins, and carbohydrates. A partial substitute is pasture. Up to six pigs can forage on 1 acre of high-quality pasture as clover, grass, and alfalfa(which can provide significant amount of protein). Pigs can also gain valuable minerals and trace elements when they root ingest dirt in the field. Range feeding must be supplemented with a small amount of coarsely ground grains, about 2 to 4 pounds per pig. Corn, oats, barley, and rye are good sources. 1 1/2 gallons of goat or cow milk are great sources of protein. Plenty of fresh clean water must be provided.
The Pig Pen
A popular choice for shelter is a a-frame on skids. Windows or doors are put at the front and rear to provide proper cooling and ventilation. Furthermore skids allow you to efficiently move the shelter as needed.