Pot bellied pigs (or any other small breed).

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Does anyone out there know of anyone who raises pot bellied pigs? I would very much like to get a bred sow as soon as possible.

If not a potbellied, then does anyone have any information on any other "small" breeds of pig? I don't have enough experience with farm animals to feel comfortable with a 300-600 "porker".

On top of that, I have my doubts about being knowledgeable enough to process that much meat all at once without wastage.

-- Jon Williamson (jwilliamson003@sprintmail.com), July 06, 1999

Answers

jonnie, jonnie, jonnie,

"very mature" and sweet bride are starting to talk about you behind your back. they put up with the guns and all the other stuff but this pig thing has them in a complete tizzie. please get a grip. i've offered "very" to use my little homestead as a bug out base and she is giving it some thought.

-- corrine l (corrine@iwaynet.net), July 06, 1999.


You might consider "subcontracting" to a more knowledgeable neighbor to raise them for you in exchange for ??? Also, may be more practical to let them run wild in your area, then shoot for food as necessary. I support your concern about large pigs being dangerous.

-- A. Hambley (a.hambley@usa.net), July 06, 1999.

Nah, I've got 2 acres fenced in with a solar powered electric fence. As for running wild, then I have to keep them out of the garden.....

Corrine, you silly goose, the main reason for this is that pork is my wife's favorite meat.

-- Jon Williamson (jwilliamson003@sprintmail.com), July 06, 1999.


Jon. Whatever gave you the idea that pot-bellied pigs are small when mature? We did three rescues of pot bellies over the last four years (thanks to my daughter) and still have one neutered male that cleans up the dropped grain from the horses. He weighs about 275 pounds and has tusks about 3-4 inches long. He is typical of the vietnamese pot belly pig....been there and they are the same overseas.

The way a pig is kept small is that he/she is literally starved during the formative months. The pig foods sold for the 'smaller' breeds are only 2 to 3% protein. Just to show contrast, the good puppy foods run in the 18 to 22% range.

Besides, by the time a pot belly has enough meat on it to butcher, it's suitable only for barbque or a 'pig-pickin'. One thing that my neighbor tried and it worked. He used a large dogrun 12x24 and kept two shoats in the pen. moved the pen whenever they had cleaned, rooted and fertilized the area contained in the pen. He didn't have to plow for his garden this year...'nuff said.

-- Lobo (atthelair@yahoo.com), July 07, 1999.


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