Part 1 Choosing Good Stock
This will be the first in a series on raising pastured pigs, it can be done in a cold climate, I’ll walk you through it!
Most of us who raise pasture pork do so because we want to know that the food we eat and give to our families is healthy. Some people also have concerns about industrial agriculture and others about the ethics of animal husbandry or the distance food travels. However the bottom line for everyone is we want to raise healthy food.
To raise healthy pork is easy, to raise healthy pork efficiently requires some knowledge. We have been raising pigs for close to 20 years; both on a commercial scale and now on a very small scale. We have found a formula that works with the natural tendency and physiology of pigs. We hope it will help you.
As with all livestock ventures, the quality of the weaner pig you purchase will have direct bearing on the cost to raise that animal, the amount of time required to raise that animal and ultimately the quality of meat from that animal. So with that in mind what should you look for in a weaner pig?
First the healthy fully weaned pig should resemble a plump football or cask shape, depending upon the breed. They should be alert and quick on their feet, and scream bloody murder when you pick them up. Evidence of diarrhea or dehydration, a pot belly or patchy coat should all raise red flags. If you are going to raise your pork on pasture, your ideal piglet will have had at least some access to the outside. Ask questions of the seller. How old are the piglets, have they been fully weaned, by the sow or by the farmer? What are they eating now, how much and how often? Do they drink from water nipples or from a bucket / tub? These are all important, and things you should expect direct answers to. The seller should know how much each piglets is eating. Be wary of evasive answers.
Be wary of piglets that have separated themselves from the rest, appear listless, healthy piglets are little balls of energy or they are asleep, there is no in between. Examine your choice for swelling around the naval or in any of the joints all are indicative of illness. Make sure they have no cough and their breathing is deep and regular. Rapid shallow breathing and cough or panting indicates serious problems and will lead to heartache in a very short time. Make sure your choice is not feverish, or shivering. the normal temp for a weaned piglet is 101.5 – 102.5, so slightly higher than us. Finally, take a good look at the coat, piglets vary in coat density, but it should be uniform and somewhat glossy. Patchy dry coats are indicative of many things not all of them are big problems but just avoid piglets that have problems and you will save yourself time, money and heartache later on.
I will be back tomorrow with the second post in this series, breed selection!
Little Turtle Farm 