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Barnyard Buddies:  Hogs  |
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SusieK
True Blue Farmgirl
167 Posts
Texas
167 Posts |
 Posted - Mar 03 2011 : 6:47:06 PM
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Does anyone raise hogs if so maybe you can give some info on raise them.
Be Safe & Be Blessed |
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sherrye
True Blue Farmgirl
3775 Posts
sherry
bend in the high desert
oregon
USA
3775 Posts |
Posted - Mar 04 2011 : 06:31:20 AM
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howdy susie, for me i started with storeys guide to raising pigs. easy read. there are a few of us with pigs here. i would say you need good fencing first. we use hog panels and electric wire to keep ours in. we also train them to follow us when they are small. we have also found loading and unloading them onto the trailer when young saves a lot of work later. i am sure others will share too. i love pigs. they are always joyful even when older. we have 5 sows 2 are due now with piglets. we have 10 growers almost ready to butcher. very exciting. they are tearing up their hut so i know they are about ready to leave here. i learned a long time ago, if they get sick on a certain food they will not eat it again. had a farmer friend whos wife made him have his whiskey in the barn. he would drink with his sow. he got her tooo drunk once and she never drank with him again. he was sad to not have his drinking buddy any more. LOL happy days sherrye happy days sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
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rksmith
True Blue Farmgirl
858 Posts
Rachel
Clayton
GA
USA
858 Posts |
Posted - Mar 04 2011 : 4:15:39 PM
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We've had hogs off and on forever it seems. I haven't read the Storeys guide. Good fencing is a must! We've butchered several hogs over the years simply because they wouldn't stay put. Hog panels with electric is a great combination. What breed are you considering? There are very few things as joyful to watch as piglets, lol. (well maybe kids, its close)
Rachel
Farmgirl Sister #2753
Do not ask the Lord to guide your footsteps, if you are not willing to move your feet--Dr. Kioni
http://www.mynsp.com/rksmith
http://madame1313.wordpress.com/ |
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SusieK
True Blue Farmgirl
167 Posts
Texas
167 Posts |
Posted - Mar 05 2011 : 10:02:38 AM
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we have hogs right now I take them to get butchered because we just do not have a good space for doing that. I use to do it as a kids all the time. My husband is building us a portable pen so we can move the hogs around like we do the chickens we have. I want to start breeding one of our sows but I really do not want to get a boer and have to keep him because they have to be in different pens. trying to come up with a idea here anyone got one????
Be Safe & Be Blessed |
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rksmith
True Blue Farmgirl
858 Posts
Rachel
Clayton
GA
USA
858 Posts |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Mar 05 2011 : 5:34:49 PM
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I have 2 right now. I have them in a pretty big stall. I let them out for about an hour or so before evening feeding. They follow me right in to eat. I raised 4 male pigs a few years ago in the front pasture. They got big real quick but the meat wasn't as tender as the 2 before them that were in a small area. That's why I am keeping these 2 in most of the time. I want tender chops. I would like to put them up front in the garden in a pen with 4 hog panels and move them around to til the garden up for me before they go to the butcher.
I agree with Rachel. I'd just get one to coem visit then go on back home. The people I got these pigs from have the boar in with the sows all the time. They have a huge pasture where they are though.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Mar 10 2011 : 05:56:44 AM
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Speaking of hogs, mine are spoiled. I have been mixing scraps in with their corn and pig pellets. They love that. Well, yesterday morning was the last of the scraps that I had so they didn't get any last night. This morning when I went to feed them they had a whole feeder full of the corn and pellets. They had just eaten the bread out of it. So this morning I just put more bread in the feeder. They acted like something was missing and kept looking at me. I did get about 4 gallons of way (darn, I know that's not the way to spell it but can't for the life of me do it) and spoiled milk from a friend so they have been getting about 2 quarts of that too. They LOVE that stuff. Anyway, I am on a hunt for scraps now. The people that have the other pig give me scraps every few days and his mother too. And my daughter when I see her. I don't cook that much so don't have much. Winter is not the time to raise hogs. If I do this again it will be in the spring and summer when I have goat milk and produce. Then butcher in fall.
How's everyone else's pigs doing? I hope these guys are big enough in 5 weeks to get butchered. We may not get all that much meat but they will be going.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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rksmith
True Blue Farmgirl
858 Posts
Rachel
Clayton
GA
USA
858 Posts |
Posted - Mar 10 2011 : 5:15:44 PM
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Hubby doesn't want any more hogs (the last sow we had just would not stay in her pen so we butchered her instead of raising piglets) but I'd like at least 1; we'll see how it goes. He tells me to be content with my guinea pigs, lol. (I've got 2 huge boars).
Rachel
Farmgirl Sister #2753
Do not ask the Lord to guide your footsteps, if you are not willing to move your feet--Dr. Kioni
http://www.mynsp.com/rksmith
http://madame1313.wordpress.com/ |
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sherrye
True Blue Farmgirl
3775 Posts
sherry
bend in the high desert
oregon
USA
3775 Posts |
Posted - Mar 11 2011 : 06:41:34 AM
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WELL WE THE SILK PURSE GOT SKUNKED AGAIN no piggies. 2 sows neither bred. no babies. we are past due. lisa wants to quit. i may keep one sow without a boar on site hard to tell. well dang. this means i have to decide if i will continue growing butcher hogs for cafe. they are so expensive to buy. well so it goes on the farm. i hope i have another goat that is bred. who knows. well not a happy thought here BUT still a happy farm day sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Mar 11 2011 : 3:45:14 PM
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Sherrye, I am so sorry. That is disappointing. Will you just butcher the rest? Maybe they can't breed when it's so cold. You should try to breed them again now and see. Aren't they just pregnant about 3 months? I'll have to go check my book. They are really expensive to keep in the winter. Thank goodness I have help with the scraps. But I am ready for them to go.
I got to let them out this afternoon. The sun't been shining all day here. They were happy hogs. Ran around and ate grass. Tails all curled up. They are getting the good jowls now. And they follow me right back into their pen when it's time to go back in. They are good pigs. And my electric fence isn't working all the way around. They haven't gone near it so far. They stay right where I can see them. SO FAR!
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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therealshari
True Blue Farmgirl
235 Posts
Shari
Beryl
UT
USA
235 Posts |
Posted - Mar 11 2011 : 5:03:17 PM
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We housed our two pigs in a pen constructed of wooden pallets, hay bales, and rebar. Just sent them to the butcher this morning. I put the story on Shari's Gone Country!
Shari Thomas, back after a 2 year break for heart issues. Ready to get on with life now.Four Country Gals |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Mar 15 2011 : 08:26:24 AM
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Shari, that link doesn't work for me. I would love to see your set up.
I have been letting my pigs out for a few hours in the afternoon. They sure are making a mess out there. And with all the rain we've had it does help. But they are loving it. And they stay right out there where I can see them so far. But right where I have to walk through the gate is a mud pit. I have boards down like bridges for me and the goats to get over the mud. That's where those pigs like to stay. They are also eating lots of grass too. It's so fun to watch them out there. Happy pigs!
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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SusieK
True Blue Farmgirl
167 Posts
Texas
167 Posts |
Posted - Mar 16 2011 : 04:08:51 AM
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Well I got me a boar could not let this one pass by only paid $100 for him going to upload a picture for you guys
Ok cannot do it can someone tell me how to upload a picture please
Be Safe & Be Blessed |
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sherrye
True Blue Farmgirl
3775 Posts
sherry
bend in the high desert
oregon
USA
3775 Posts |
Posted - Mar 16 2011 : 06:56:29 AM
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susie that is so exciting. how old is your boar? if you go yo news on mjf there is an instruction area. i know you click the little icon in the box here. i cannot explain it yet. i have posted pics but not enough to teach you. alee knows how for sure. hope this helps. i have 2 of my hogs sold. need to sell 2 more now. i am out of bacon and chops. so looking forward to some yummy pork chops. happy days sherrye happy days sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
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SusieK
True Blue Farmgirl
167 Posts
Texas
167 Posts |
Posted - Mar 16 2011 : 07:52:19 AM
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He is 5 months old and has 1 month before he can start breeding. I will try again post a picture.![]()
Be Safe & Be Blessed |
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SusieK
True Blue Farmgirl
167 Posts
Texas
167 Posts |
Posted - Mar 16 2011 : 08:04:06 AM
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![]()  I did it I hope this is going to be the daddy to my pigglets
Be Safe & Be Blessed |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Mar 16 2011 : 08:44:44 AM
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He looks ike my 2 girls. He will be a good breeder. I hope he works out for you. He's big for just 5 months. I'm glad you got the picture thing figured out. Not if only I could. I need my daughter to come out here and do it for me. And write it all down for me so I can do it myself.
My 2 pigs were born around Halloweeen.So the end of March they will be 5 months. Then they go to the butcher the middle os April. If I EVER do this again, will get pigs in the ealry spring when I have goat milk and produce starting up. I got these right before my goats went dry. I did have several gallons frozen which has helped. And my friend has Jerseys we are trading some sausage for old milk. Which they love. I am ready for some bacon!
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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SusieK
True Blue Farmgirl
167 Posts
Texas
167 Posts |
Posted - Mar 16 2011 : 08:57:08 AM
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Are you feeding your hogs milk did you say?
Be Safe & Be Blessed |
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therealshari
True Blue Farmgirl
235 Posts
Shari
Beryl
UT
USA
235 Posts |
Posted - Mar 17 2011 : 1:07:21 PM
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Sorry our server had a problem. Try Shari's Gone Country! again. You should be able to see it.
Our pig cost $127 and change to have it slaughtered, cut and wrapped, and the hams smoked and bacon made. The cost for our neighbor was just under $109, so we're looking at really decent prices for our meat.
Shari Thomas, back after a 2 year break for heart issues. Ready to get on with life now.Four Country Gals |
Edited by - therealshari on Mar 17 2011 1:09:06 PM |
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rksmith
True Blue Farmgirl
858 Posts
Rachel
Clayton
GA
USA
858 Posts |
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Mar 17 2011 : 6:11:12 PM
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There ya go, Shari. I saw the pigs. They are about the same size as mine right now. I am happy with the way they are growing. I do give them milk. I had several gallons of goat milk in the freezer they are getting plus a friend has 2 Jersey girls. She makes lots of cheese and gives me the whay. will give her some sausage. And today I was at my mom's. They have alot of oak trees. Me and Kansas gathered a sackful of acorns for them. I have heard that finishing hogs on acorns makes the meat really good. And they also get semi rotten apples. Also alot of bread and cookies and such. They are so spoiled from getting all these scraps they will not eat plain corn and pig pellets now. It has to be mixed with scraps and good stuff. Also I pour gravy or milk over it and they are in hog heaven. They have also gotten lots of old pecans. they love them, shells and all.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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sherrye
True Blue Farmgirl
3775 Posts
sherry
bend in the high desert
oregon
USA
3775 Posts |
Posted - Mar 25 2011 : 07:40:52 AM
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i am bumping the hog thread. my last 3 went to butcher yesterday. so i am waiting on hanging weights. we will see how bean soup worked mixed with raw milk. i will crunch my cost numbers and post. kris is gearing up for hers too. how exciting. the cost of pigs now is through the roof here. fair time. happy days sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Mar 26 2011 : 2:54:38 PM
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16 more days to go!!! I am counting them down. And someone please remind me NOT to do this again. I love pigs, but good grief, I am tired.
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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sherrye
True Blue Farmgirl
3775 Posts
sherry
bend in the high desert
oregon
USA
3775 Posts |
Posted - Mar 26 2011 : 4:47:16 PM
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well i am adicted to pigs. i already miss mine kris. ours weighed out at 187 180 187 160 156 the last 2 were 3 or 4 weeks younger. i wanted to be done. i spent a long time on the phone these days ordering cuts and selling the meat. i sold all but 1. so thats good. i also have 450 pounds of cow being cut up monday. she was tough and a little strong. so we burgered her. we also ordered pepperoni and snack stix and jerky. i only kept the mignon and nys. so lots of meat here. i will sell the pepperoni. $10.00 a pound. oi ordered 30 pounds finished. i am excited. the money we get will buy my new registered ersey girl. i will post on cow about her. so i know i made good money. i will post final dollars compared to food when i collect from customers. you are so right kris. when they get that size you are sick of them its time for bacon. mine tore the sides off their gut the day before they left. running barking and being happy on a warm sunny day. they just rammed each other into it.they broke the hot wire. i looked at papa and said dead pigs. so i will clean it. i found some for 75.00 ready may june. so i will start again. with all the milk i will have the next ones will be good too. i am so anxious to hear how it goes for you. i know how much you loved your pig last time. it tastes so good. so i will tell you to do it again girl. i want some one to do it with. plus yum happy days sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
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kristin sherrill
True Blue Farmgirl
11303 Posts
kristin
chickamauga
ga
USA
11303 Posts |
Posted - Mar 26 2011 : 7:27:28 PM
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Me and the grands picked up several sacks of acorns from my mon's yard last weekend. I am going to give them some every day til they go. I have heard that hogs finished on acorns are very tasty. We shall see. And winter really is not a good time to raise hogs. My goats were dry so no fresh goat milk. They did get the frozen that I had. I still have some they will get also. So IF I ever do this again, it will be in the spring when I have goat milk and then they can go in the garden to til for me. Then get lots of produce scraps. They are sweet pigs though. They have really not been too much trouble. They follow me like dogs. ANd I can pet them. They are about to tear the gate off the wall though. It's holding up so far but I don't know for how much longer.
That's so good that you made so much money and are able to get another cow. Have you already found one? I hope these 2 pigs weigh as much as yours. How old were they?
Kris
Happiness is simple. |
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sherrye
True Blue Farmgirl
3775 Posts
sherry
bend in the high desert
oregon
USA
3775 Posts |
Posted - Mar 26 2011 : 7:41:58 PM
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if you can put a tape from the back of their ear to the part on their butt where the tail starts measure. my goal is anything bigger than 42 or 44 inches, both ways. mine were a little over 6 months. yes on the cow.
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
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Barnyard Buddies: Hogs |
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Hogs
