Advantage of pig rearing
1. Pigs convert inedible feeds, forages, certain grain byproducts obtained from mills, meat byproducts, damaged feeds and garbage into valuable nutritious meat. Most of these feeds are either or not edible or not very palatable to human beings.
2. Pig grows fast and prolific breeder, farrowing 10-12 piglets at a time. It is capable of producing two litters per year under optimal management conditions.
3. The carcass return is quite high, ie. 60-80% of liver body weight, with a small investment on building and equipment, proper feeding and sound disease control programme the farmer can profitably utilize his time and labor in this subsidiary occupation; the feces of pigs is used as a manure to maintain soil fertility.
Steps for starting the pig farming business
1. Buying your pigs. It is important that you locate a breeder that has purebred stock. Having quality purebred stock gives you instant credibility when you are ready for advertising and marketing.
2. Housing and bonding. It is better to keep new pigs in a stall or safe quaters away from predators for the first 4-6 weeks. This will also help you keep a close eye on your pigs and an opportunity to bond with them. It is best to use wood shaving for bedding. An all natural chemicals free is best if possible. At the end of the 4-6 weeks period your pigs should be ready to be moved to their new home for the next 3 months by separating the boar from the gilts to prevent any premature breeding.
3. Fencing and outdoor shelter. During the first 4-6 weeks it is good time to start fencing. There are many different ways to fence in your pigs. The three most popular is perimeter fencing with hot-wire which is cheapest way to go especially for large areas. Hog wire roll fencing with metal T post and wood post for bracing corners and long spans is a little more expensive and hog panels with metal T post for support is the most expensive way to go, but it is also the easiest to install and virtually maintenance free. For outdoor shelter, it is always better to use the natural environment for shade and protection from the elements. If you have no wooden area, you have to build or purchase one.
4. Pig watering and feed schedule. Be sure you have adequate water supply, pigs need a lot of fresh clean water. It is important to get your pigs off to a great start with 18-20% pig feed. It is best to put the young pigs on a free choice diet, but not to feed them with more than 20% protein because it can cause scours which can be dangerous for piglets.
5. Worming schedule. You can give your pigs ivermectin every 6 months to kill eternal worms and external parasites; or you can use some organic worming products.
6. Breeding. At the end of about 6 months your pigs should be reaching 200-250 lbs and they are now ready for breeding.
7. Pig gestation and farrowing. Gestation period will last 114 days. It will be important that you log the breeding days so that you will have some ideas of when the new piglets will arrive. Approximately one month before giving birth your sows will need to be separated from the other pigs into her own separate area and put on a 18% 12 lbs to 15 lbs diet.
8. Raising piglets. The new born piglets has to be given good nursery and after 8-10 weeks, piglets should be separated from the sow to wean for being raised to market weight.