Pigs, hogs, swines, piglets, boars, barrows – call them what you like. The fact of the matter is, hogs are one of the best animals you can have on your survival homestead. They don’t take up a lot of space, and they can be a solid meat source in good times and bad.
Pretty much everyone knows by now that pigs have incredibly varied diets. There’s almost nothing that they cannot eat safely and get nutrition from. That’s one of the great things about owning pigs! But depending on who you ask, you might hear some strong opinions concerning whether or not pigs can, or should, eat meat. … Read more
I think it is safe to say that most folks know that pigs eat meat. Yes, they eat a lot of other things but compared to most of our livestock, it’s pigs, and I guess chickens, that we think of as the meat-eaters. And chickens mostly eat bugs, so they don’t count! But pigs can … Read more
Out of all the different livestock species, pigs are the ones with the reputation for being big and adventurous eaters. In fact, it is easier to list the things that pigs can’t eat rather than list the things that they will! There’s a lot of truth to this, but nonetheless, pigs still can’t eat quite … Read more
Have you ever wondered if raising pigs is actually profitable? I mean, most of us know someone who raises pigs even if we only know them tangentially or by reputation. And, of course, we know that pork is extremely popular, because there is no shortage of products in every single grocery store. The more you … Read more
Out of all the livestock species that you might keep, there is no doubt that pigs have the reputation of being the biggest eaters. After all, saying that someone or something eats like a pig is not a compliment! Though it is a stereotype, pigs really are big eaters but with good cause. Most breeds … Read more
Ah, bacon. Is there any food more American, and more delicious than that? Crispy, savory, salty and absolutely alluring! There is no dish that cannot be made better by bacon. Even writing about it has set my mouth to watering… But as much as we all love bacon, and I know we do, have you … Read more
Have you ever been curious about how long pigs can live? I mean how long they could really live; Most don’t live very long at all if they are being raised for slaughter. A few months, maybe a year at most. But how long would a pig live if left to its own devices, or … Read more
If you’ve ever thought of getting into pig farming, you have probably already pondered how much such an endeavor might cost. But however big your dreams are, every herd starts with just a few pigs, or maybe even piglets! Piglets are undeniably adorable, but you can’t neglect the financial assessment. How much do piglets actually … Read more
Pigs get a bad rap. Sure, they’re one of the most common and most important farm animals around when it comes to meat production, but they have an image problem as disgusting, brutish creatures. Large pigs can be dangerous and messy, no doubt, but believe me when I tell you that pigs have a lot … Read more
If you keep livestock, you already know that each animal species has its own unique nutritional requirements, and these requirements can change depending on the stage of life that the animal is in. Adults have their own nutritional requirements, and these change as they move into their senior years. Baby animals, too, have their own … Read more
Pigs are one of the most common and also most popular kinds of livestock out there. Probably the best thing about pigs as livestock is that most breeds can produce a ton of meat in a wide variety of cuts when they are ready for harvest, and the market for those cuts is bottomless! But … Read more
Not all clichés are true; some are harmful. But then there are some clichés that became so because it is absolutely warranted, and that is definitely the case when it comes to pigs’ appetites! It seems like pigs are always hungry, and they will eat just about anything. But, surprisingly, there are some things that … Read more
Domestic pigs are omnivorous and energetic eaters. Everyone knows that, and the expression “eating like a pig” has been with us for so long for a good reason! Pigs eat produce, grains, meat, and all sorts of things. Some people also assert that pigs eat bones, easily and happily. Could this be true? It’s hard … Read more
When most people think of raising pigs they probably imagine, humorously, an animal that is something like a living garbage disposal; an animal that eats absolutely anything! And, to some extent, this is true; pigs are omnivores and will eat a wide variety of food. However, there are some things that pigs can eat safely … Read more
Each year, as soon as I feel that first nip in the air or see the first snowflake fall onto the frozen ground, I’m amazed at the tenacity of nature. Although my garden plants have died back and we’re huddled up in the house, curling up next to a fire, the animals outside are doing … Read more
Homesteading with pigs offers a plethora of delicious and money-saving possibilities. With proper shelter and sturdy fencing, pigs don’t require much space and can be raised even on small homesteads, and not merely on large rural farmland where I am blessed to live. Pigs (or hogs as we call them in my part of Appalachia) … Read more