We have been raising pigs for almost three years now and I have to say we are still far from pro's when it comes to these lovely creatures. The first year we had ever raised pigs was quite the learning experience. We started out with four Tamworth pigs, such beautiful creatures they were and so gentle. But did they ever grow fast. The hubby had hurt his back about a month after we bought them and so didn't make it far from the house, so it was up to me to feed them. Everyday I went to the barn, feeding and filling their water trough and everyday the one male piglet would wait until you would give him a good rubbing, boy did that pig love being rubbed under the chin. It had only been about three months and they sure where growing, the one morning I made it down to the barn and had to do a quick gate repair as my little piglets were not so little anymore and the male who loved to be rubbed stood as tall as me. Its a little scary the first time a pig stands up and meets you eye to eye! Now after this incident I went to the house and said I think its time we take our pigs in! The hubby kindly responded nope probably not for another few months. So I went about my chores and after oh about another 6 months past the hubby finally went down to the barn, headed back to the house, looked at me and said "Who the heck's pigs are they?" I just laughed and said I told you so. Next was to get them to the Abattoir, they where too big for us to handle me being 8 months pregnant so we hired a guy with a truck but learned quickly that pigs really don't like to leave the ground. They were stubborn as ever, they just would not walk up the ramp. So we where stuck I had placed an ad online but no response, then finally I decided to message a man that was selling a large pig and he was kind enough to take the pigs to the Abattoir for me. I was going to pay him for all he did but when he noticed my pigs where Tamworth he was interested in a female. That is when I decided to trade a pig to get the other three to market! Raising them was a rough go but I learned pigs are clean animals, who do not like to go up ramps so horse trailers move them best and really they are extremely easy animals to raise and as long as they are fed they are happy. And the 850 lbs of pork that came off my three pigs was more then enough to feed this happy homesteading family for the whole year!
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