I know this will be a good arguement for those that believe pigs should be raised on dirt -- but, please not let's argue that point again. I would just like to know if pigs are raised in a confinment situation (such as the method of raised platforms) what do they do all day? Are there "pig" toys that they like or simular? Even in confinment, I would like to give them as good a life as possible.

-- Karen (mountains_mama2@hotmail.com), April 18, 2002

Answers

Pigs must play. Our pig is on dirt in her pen but she seems to love to chase around her food dishes. (She's a pet potbelly). I have thought of buying a ball for her but never have gotten around to it. When I think about it it seems that I've seen all kinds of critters, wild and domestic, in some sort of play at one time or another. You could experiment with balls and bells on ropes. Pigs are very smart.

-- cindy palmer (jandcpalemr@sierratel.com), April 18, 2002.

Hi Karen! I'm one of those that thinks pigs are happier in the dirt, but if you can't raise them that way then trying to make them as happy as possible is the way to go. There are hog confinement farms around here that are terrible. The pigs have no room what so ever. They just lay around. I have a friend that uses raised portable farrowing crates that he can move every so often to clean under with his tractor. The crates are about 14ft.x14ft. and have an outdoor (raised) metal pen attached. (Looks like a balcony). They are able to go out when they want, they don't have any access to dirt though, it's all metal. I don't know of any toys made especially for pigs, they will try to eat just about anything. Maybe you could supply them with grass and weed clippings. I know you will take good care of them. Best wishes and don't worry about them too much, they will do fine.

-- cowgirlone in ok (cowgirlone47@hotmail.com), April 18, 2002.

How about rigging up a punch/pressure the button and get a timed shower rig. Some sort of large button attached to a pressure switch that turns on an overhead shower for them.

-- BC (desertdweller44@yahoo.com), April 18, 2002.

Karen, pigs LOVE old tires and those big "indestructible" balls. They just give them fits! Also, old metal buckets, they make such nice satisfactory clangs and bangs! My dad was a great one for giving our pigs toys and these were their favorites. Our big old boar, too big for breeding, was his pet and that pig would walk around with a 5 Gallon bucket on his head all day long. Funny! LQ

-- Little Quacker (carouselxing@juno.com), April 18, 2002.

I've always heard (and it has also been suggested here) that hogs like to push around bowling balls----helps their itch to root around, I guess. You could probably find an old bowling ball for cheap at a Goodwill or other thrift store.

-- Jeff (lorianandjeff@aol.com), April 18, 2002.

I was going to suggest an old bowling ball as well. I hear they like to push them around. Check the bowling alley, they often have some chipped ones to give away.

--->Paul

-- paul (ramblerplm@hotmail.com), April 18, 2002.

The bowling ball thing is a great idea. I'm going to try that. I give my pigs an old blanket. They carry it around like a little kid carries its 'blankie' and they sleep with it, too. Another thing they enjoy is a stick (give them a nice, chunky one). They carry it around, push it around, and chew on it. I wouldn't recommend any sort of shower, though. I've read that cold water sprayed or dumped on a hot pig can kill it.

-- Gayle in KY (gayleannesmith@yahoo.com), April 18, 2002.

Karen, We use bowling balls, hang old tires about head height (no, none ever got hurt. We also throw them 2 liter bottles with the lid put on tight. That way they can carry them around and on hot summer days I freeze a little water in the bottle. They love that. They are like puppies, they will find a way to play with just about anything.

-- Joanie (ber-gust@prodigy.net), April 19, 2002.

we sprayed ours with the water hose last summer in any weather over 95 long enough to make a mud hole for them to lay in and they loved it-they'd run up and squeal and cavort-then they'd go lay in the mud with a blissful expression and cool off. we use firewood sized logs and a bowling ball-they also moved their house and feeders around. (4 hogs, 1x4 shipping crate house-i can move it, so can they!!) they love to play and are very funny to watch.

-- laura (okgoatgal@hotmail.com), April 19, 2002.