verloncox
Junior Member
Quality over quantity.
Posts: 129
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Post by verloncox on Apr 20, 2010 6:53:25 GMT -6
I am considering getting a few head of hogs and raising them but am being warned off by a lot of people. Supposedly the feed will kill any profit that you try to make. Lets say that I dont raise any corn to feed them and have to buy feed. Is it worth it in the long run to raise them or should it be something that you do just to butcher your own meat. Any tips on it from those of you that are experienced would be greatly appreciated. I would like to be a lot more self sufficient here and rely on a grocery store less and less.
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8bells
Junior Member
Chickens are Revolting
Posts: 137
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Post by 8bells on Apr 20, 2010 13:43:52 GMT -6
Some factors to consider: Pigs are about the fastest growers, and best feed-effeciency animals, but it will take a LOT to get those 30 pound feeders up to 250 pounds. Unless you can join a co-op, you will probably not be able to get commodity price for your hogs, as commodity price is usually 'by the truckload'. Unless you have them butchered by a USDA butcher, you will not be legally allowed to sell the packaged meats. On the other hand, you will have better pork than you can find in the store...especially if free-pastured.
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verloncox
Junior Member
Quality over quantity.
Posts: 129
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Post by verloncox on Apr 21, 2010 6:50:53 GMT -6
You make a really good point there 8bells. My uncle use to raise them when I was younger and I have also wanted to but at the same time I am worried about the feed bill and the fencing. I am going to put some more thought into it. I guess if it was the worse case scenario I could always have a HUGE BBQ. If I did free pasture them during the day I have the perfect place for them and they would probably clean it up some for me................yeah, its that bad.
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8bells
Junior Member
Chickens are Revolting
Posts: 137
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Post by 8bells on Apr 21, 2010 14:56:51 GMT -6
I have heard that electric sheep netting works very well with hogs. It is very easy to move your paddocks around that way. Just keep rotating it around the mud puddle they are bound to make. Free-pasturing will cut down on your feed bill, plus they will till and manure a good plot in the 5-6 months they are there. Instead of renting a movie, just go out there and watch them...they can be very amusing.
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verloncox
Junior Member
Quality over quantity.
Posts: 129
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Post by verloncox on Apr 23, 2010 20:19:07 GMT -6
I am going to have to give the sheep netting in mind. I run 9 wire poly for the goats with fiberglass poles so it would be fitting to have something similar for hogs. We are still considering it.
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8bells
Junior Member
Chickens are Revolting
Posts: 137
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Post by 8bells on Apr 24, 2010 1:28:59 GMT -6
The sheep netting that I have seen also uses the fiberglass poles. You just need to walk the perimeter occasionally with a weed-whacker so you don't short it out. A guy I know locally runs several hundred layers, and recently added a few hogs primarily as a viable way yo utilize all of the cracked eggs: just throw those protein pills to the hogs.
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verloncox
Junior Member
Quality over quantity.
Posts: 129
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Post by verloncox on Apr 24, 2010 15:24:46 GMT -6
If I had several hundred layers I think that I would be a cracked egg! That sounds like a lot more work then fun at that point. I run the push mower down my fence every once in a while and just move the fence over. You cant beat the stuff for ease.
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verloncox
Junior Member
Quality over quantity.
Posts: 129
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Post by verloncox on Apr 24, 2010 15:25:15 GMT -6
Speaking of which with the wet ground right now I think that I need to get to work.
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8bells
Junior Member
Chickens are Revolting
Posts: 137
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Post by 8bells on Apr 28, 2010 17:39:50 GMT -6
Hogs are really easy to raise. If you don't know how, don't worry - they'll teach you!
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oldaker
Junior Member
With Led Zeppelin, all things are possible!!
Posts: 110
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Post by oldaker on May 3, 2010 22:55:22 GMT -6
I'm glad to know they're easy to raise cause for some crazy reason, we picked one up today. Currently he is sleeping with chickens piled all around him. Guess we will have plenty of pork in the freezer in a few months!
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8bells
Junior Member
Chickens are Revolting
Posts: 137
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Post by 8bells on May 4, 2010 12:18:06 GMT -6
Here is a helpful hint. Place his food bin AT LEAST 35 feet from his living quarters. After eating he will begin spreading manure within about 30 feet. They do grow bigger if raised in pairs/groups, as the competition for food makes them eat more. Besides, they are very social animals. Watch out with the chickens...he will develop an appetite for them and their eggs.
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Post by farmertank on Jun 4, 2010 23:03:40 GMT -6
Yes please don't put him with your chickens, he will eat or kill them. Pigs and chickens don't get along. Julie
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8bells
Junior Member
Chickens are Revolting
Posts: 137
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Post by 8bells on Jun 5, 2010 5:31:50 GMT -6
I used to watch the young pigs chase the chicks. Never could catch one. Then they learned that if you just stand still, the chicks would walk right past them and GULP.
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