Learn how to raise pastured pigs with this step by step guide, from the supplies we use to the feed we provide.
This year we dove head first into adding animals to our homestead. Our goal was to source all of our own meat and possibly be a source of meat for others who may not be able to raise animals. We added meat chickens, meat rabbits, another cow, and four pigs. Whew!
This was quite a learning curve for us, but we have always taken things head on. So let’s talk about pigs, why pigs? I don’t know about you but our family can consume a large amount of sausage and bacon alone, especially with four growing boys!
Why pigs?
There were four reasons we chose to go for pigs…
- it was more economical to raise our own meat than to buy it
- even buying meat from a local place that is “healthy” wouldn’t compare to the meat we raise ourselves
- it was yet another way to show our kids where our food comes from and to have that connection daily
- we had an unusable area in the back part of our land that needed clearing out, the perfect place for pigs
Pastured Pigs vs. Conventional Pig Housing
When I was growing up we lived across from a pig farm and it smelled awful. Every once in awhile my dad would take us over to see the farmer, he would give us a bag of chips and show us the newest piglets. As cute as they were, because they were in a confined area, the smell was a challenge.
A lot of conventional pigs are raised in a confined area, which means the waste piles up and so do the smells! We wanted to try something different. Because we had a space in our back pasture that was filled with briars, saplings, and basically thick with brush, we decided to try rotating the pigs through that area.
By rotating them, the stink is gone and we get a whole area cleaned out! Not to mention the pigs get a healthy diet of acorns, grubs, and whatever else they root up. And because they are on a fresh spot every week, they stay healthy on their own without the need for vaccines or antibiotics. For us, it was the ideal setup.
How to raise pastured pigs
Now, that you know the why, let’s dive into the details! I have put together a video that goes in depth into raising pastured pigs, check it out!
When you watch a video on raising pigs and think to yourself wow those are some pretty pigs, you might be seeing something very unique! Pretty pigs aren’t the norm but they should be! Thank you for showing us what the right conditions, the right methods, and the proper care of an animal will produce! That’s the kind of meat I want going into my body and my family’s bodies!