How to Raise Hogs on a Family Farm

Select an area on the farm where the hog will be raised. Choose a site that is clean and dry with an overhead roof. Make sure the area is free from drafts to prevent the hog from becoming chilled. Provide young pigs with shelter that is 70 degrees Fahrenheit and switch it to a 60-degree climate when the hog is full grown. Keep the sleeping environment at the proper temperature by adding wood shavings or straw for warmth or water misters for cooling.

Make sure hogs have adequate living space. Avoid overcrowding to prevent stressing the pigs. Fence off an area of fresh soil for the pen just outside of the roofed enclosure to allow the hogs room for digging and rooting. Mix some water into the soil to create a large mud bath in the pen during warmer months for the hogs to cool down their body temperature.

Check your pig's temperature with a rectal thermometer three to four times per day during the first three weeks of life to make sure it is within two degrees of normal, which is 102.5 F. Watch for any signs of deteriorating health, such as a poor appetite, a rough coat of hair, coughing, lethargy, diarrhea, dull eyes or just an overall look of poor health. Contact your veterinarian immediately if any of these signs develop.

Minimize stress when introducing your pig to its new home. Bring the pig to its pen and stay nearby while it checks out its new environment. Keep other animals out of sight at first and avoid excessive stimulation for the first few days. Allow the pig some time to acclimate to its new surroundings.

Feed your young pig a high-energy diet that is high in protein. Choose farm grains that include plentiful amounts of corn, barley, oats and wheat. Allow young pigs to self feed by providing them with a large container of food that they may eat from whenever they want. Switch full-grown hogs to a twice per day feeding schedule. Supplement a young pig's diet with vitamins until it reaches full size. A healthy hog should weigh between 200 and 240 pounds.

Provide the pigs with ample amounts of fresh water every day. Fill a large water barrel with clean water and be sure to refill it whenever it is empty. Never restrict their water intake as pigs require an endless supply to maintain proper health.

Make sure the pen is cleaned out regularly to eliminate harmful bacteria that may grow in the soil and cause the pig to fall ill. Replace the hay or wood shavings every week or as needed. Watch for signs of common swine ailments, such as pneumonia, swine dysentery, external parasites or lice, internal parasites and pseudo rabies. Report any change in your pig's appetite, bowel movements or behavior to your veterinarian immediately.