How to Raise a Pig in Confinement

Pigs make relatively small demands on their caretakers, in terms of management, as they are usually easy to care for and comparatively inexpensive to keep. Weaned piglets should be purchased at 6 to 8 weeks. Choose a pig that is alert. You will want one that has pink skin and a smooth coat. Pigs require housing, proper nutrition, sanitation and health care. A mature pig will produce approximately 1.6 lbs. of manure per 100 lbs. of pig each day. Composting your pig's manure for use on gardens and farms is an efficient manure management solution.

Things You'll Need

  • Nails
  • Hammer
  • 1 sheet of ½-inch plywood
  • 4, 48-inch x 56-inch 2x4 frames
  • 3, 8-foot pine boards
  • Hay
  • 32-inch tall welded-wire fencing
  • Rocks
  • Commercial hog feed
  • Galvanized water tank
  • Water
  • Shovel
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Instructions

    • 1

      Construct a three-sided, roofed shelter approximately four feet high, ensuring that each pig has 15 to 20 square feet of overhang. Pigs require protection from the elements. They do not have sweat glands, they are sensitive to cold and heat, and they sunburn easily.

    • 2

      Line the inside of the shelter with 16 inches of hay, providing the pig a dry and comfortable area for resting.

    • 3

      Dig a hole 10 to 15 feet away from your pig's shelter and fill it with water. The hole should be deep enough that your pig will be fully covered. Pigs perspire only through their snouts and, on hot days, your pig will use the pool to cool itself.

    • 4

      Build a fence made of welded-wire around your pig's shelter, providing a minimum of 50 square feet per pig. The pen should be twice as long as it is wide.

    • 5

      Dig a trench under the fence and fill it with rocks to prevent your pig from escaping. Pigs are excavators and will dig around their pen.

    • 6

      Feed your pig a commercial hog feed containing 16% protein with a vitamin/mineral supplement. Allocate 700 pounds of food for each pig. Pigs require access to food 24 hours per day to grow efficiently.

    • 7

      Position the water tank at the far end of the pen, away from the feed and shelter. Pigs typically manure near their water.

    • 8

      Fill the water tank with water. Pigs require a constant supply of fresh, clean water at all times. One adult pig will drink approximately 6 gallons of water each day. Ensure the tank is secured firmly. Pigs will root under it and spill the water.

    • 9

      Remove the manure from the pen with a shovel regularly to keep it clean and dry and to reduce odor.

    • 10

      Build a composting bin in a dry area of your property, and away from surface-flowing water. Composting pig manure reduces flies, the possibility of parasite infestation, and manure-contaminated runoff from your property.

    • 11

      Vaccinate your pig to protect against disease. Consult with your veterinarian to design a program targeted toward diseases specific to your area.

    • 12

      De-worm your pig every 4 to 6 weeks, using the medication your veterinarian recommends. Pigs root in their own manure, creating the chance for contracting internal parasites.

    • 13

      Neuter your male pig at 3 months or spay your female pig at 4 months of age if you plan to keep it as a pet. Un-neutered males can be aggressive. Males become sexually mature when they are 8 months old. Spayed females usually live longer and run a lower risk of developing cancer, which increases at 10 months of age.

    • 14

      Protect your pig against predators. Also keep your pig away from dogs and horses. Many dogs see pigs as prey and horses may kick and kill them if startled.