Not long ago, we got two pigs. This was just one more step in our desire to be able to provide our own food and remove ourselves from the grocery store a bit.
Last year we raised one pig and were so happy with the results, we decided to try two this year.
Pigs are amazing animals, really. People automatically think they are gross, stinky, and disgusting. Now don't get me wrong on the stinky part, you wouldn't want to cuddle up to them at night, but they are great animals. They are the least amount of work of any animals we have ever raised. We choose to raise ours on pasture with very little grain, especially with the price of organic grains right now. We have a kitchen compost bin where we put all of our food scraps (everything except meat) and the pigs are over the moon for these scraps. Not to mention all the vegetation that comes out of the gardens that would normally go into the compost pile, now goes over the fence for the pigs.
We are constantly amazed at how fast these pigs can root up an area of ground. We rotate them every two weeks onto a new patch of pasture and they don't waste any time getting started on rooting up and eating all the grass and underground roots. They are like little rototillers only better; they poop out fertilizer the whole time they are rototilling!
If you live in the country and like pork, you might want to consider giving this a try. Last year we computed our costs and after it was all said and done, we had 200 pounds of organic, grass-fed pork for about $1.25/lb., which made raising a few pigs a no-brainer for our family.
Yesterday was moving day and I snapped a few pictures of the process. Maddie jumped in to help us and in no time we had them in their new happy home.
Monday, June 30, 2008
Moving Day
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11 comments:
How amazing that you are raising your own pork. It's nothing I could do (we have a small city lot), but I love that you are doing it.
I would love to ask more questions... we are right in the middle of deciding to do this or not. I have read books, but that isn't the same as someone that has done it.
Can I email you some of my questions?
Jacqueline
Hello, Jacqueline. Yes, by all means, go ahead and email me. We are no experts, but I'd be happy to help however I can.
I just left a comment on your blog as well.
My email is: threesistersorganics@gmail.com
Talk to you soon.
Your pigs sound and look so sweet. I wish I didn't like bacon so much, but I really, really like it.
About how much grain do they get a day? Many years ago we raised pigs and I brought buckets to work where I waitressed, they loved that. We are thinking about doing pigs again. Thanks for sharing what you do, I read your post to my hubby. We have lots of field we would like to till up.
~Kim
I love pork, and your explanation of how easy it is to raise has me intrigued...perhaps next year we'll try a 4H project? I'm keeping posted!
Cute, cute pigs! I have great memories of visiting my mother's home in Germany when I was a little girl and playing with the new baby pigs next store. Those little tails!
I have to say that I grew up near a pig farm, but NEVER ONCE, EVER could I smell the pigs. :)
I think that this is a great idea.
I love pigs! To watch, and to eat. Gillen, my ten year old, is desperate for that four wheeler. We're both drooling over this post.
Do you guys ever get attached to them? I think that would be the hardest part for me. Then again I'm a total city girl and have NO concept on raising my own food. lol
Oh, I oh so want to have pig, but my childrens won't eat nothing that they've known, ugh! What the hell are we going to do with the chicken when they stop laying, UGH!!!!
I love your little piglets!
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