Small Scale Pig Farming

Small Scale Pig Farming

Small Scale Pig Farming

Small-scale pig farming (typically 1–20 pigs per year) blends efficiency, animal welfare, and sustainability to produce high-quality pork while fitting into limited acreage (as little as 1–5 acres). Unlike industrial operations, small farms prioritize pasture-based systems, heritage breeds, and closed-loop resource use—making them ideal for homesteaders, 4-H families, and niche meat producers.

1. Define Your Purpose

• Personal meat: Raise 1–2 pigs/year for family freezer.

• Direct sales: Whole/half pigs, farmers markets, CSAs.

• Breeding stock: Sell registered heritage piglets.

• Land management: Use pigs to clear brush, till soil, or prep garden beds.

🐖 Start with clear goals—it shapes breed choice, infrastructure, and feeding strategy.

2. Choose the Right Breed

Match breed to your system:

✅ Avoid commercial white crossbreds—they need high-grain diets and don’t thrive outdoors.

3. Land & Space Requirements

• Pasture: 250–500 sq ft per pig (rotate every 7–14 days).

• Sacrifice/dry lot: 100–150 sq ft per pig (for wet seasons or feeding).

• Total land: 1–2 acres can support 4–6 pigs/year with rotation.

• Fencing:

  • Electric (2 strands: 6" and 18")

  • Hog panels (4' high, welded)

  • Bury or add outward “apron” to prevent rooting escapes

💧 Drainage is critical—never site pens in low, wet areas.

4. Shelter & Infrastructure

• Hog huts: 4' x 6' for 2–3 pigs; 3-sided, draft-free, bedded with straw.

• Water system: Nipple waterers or heavy rubber tubs (3–8 gal/pig/day).

• Feed storage: Rodent-proof metal bins.

• Handling area: Small pen (8' x 8') with gate for vaccinations or loading.

✅ Use multi-functional designs: A shed can store feed, tools, and tack.

5. Feeding Strategies (Low-Cost & Sustainable)

Reduce grain dependence with on-farm inputs:

• Pasture: Clover, grasses, legumes (30–60% of diet for foragers).

• Garden surplus: Pumpkins, squash, apples, potato peels (no raw potatoes).

• Dairy: Whey or excess milk (highly nutritious).

• Brewery waste: Spent grain (free from local breweries).

• Supplemental grain: 2–4 lbs/day of 16% protein ration (non-GMO preferred).

🌾 Kunekunes and IPPs can finish with as little as 1–2 lbs grain/day—ideal for small farms.

6. Health & Wellness

• Parasite control: Rotate pastures + fecal testing → deworm only when needed.

• Vaccinations: Tetanus, Erysipelas (as advised by vet).

• Minerals: Free-choice swine mineral + salt block.

• Daily observation: Catch illness early—look for lethargy, coughing, or lameness.

🩺 Prevention > treatment. Stress and poor nutrition cause 90% of issues.

7. Breeding vs. Buying Feeders

💡 Most small farms start with feeder pigs, then add a registered boar/sow later.

8. Processing & Marketing

• On-farm slaughter: Legal for personal use in many areas.

• Mobile butcher: Hire a custom-exempt processor ($250–$500/pig).

• Sales models:

  • Whole/half pigs ($4–$8/lb hanging weight)

  • Farmers markets (check regulations)

  • CSA meat shares

  • Breeding stock (registered piglets: $200–$600+)

🥩 One 250-lb pig = ~150 lbs meat + 20–30 lbs lard.

9. Waste = Resource

• Compost manure + bedding: After 60–90 days, use on fruit trees or ornamentals.

• Deep-bedding system: In winter, add straw daily—composts in place, provides heat.

• Never spread fresh manure on grazing land—spreads parasites.

10. Legal & Neighbor Considerations

• Zoning: Check limits on pig numbers, setbacks, and processing.

• Odor control: Keep pens clean, compost properly, avoid overstocking.

• Biosecurity: Quarantine new pigs for 30 days.

• Noise: Pigs are quiet—minimal disturbance to neighbors.

11. Sample Small-Farm Plan (2 Pigs)

• Spring: Buy 2 feeder pigs (8 weeks old)

• Summer: Rotate on ½ acre pasture + garden scraps

• Fall: Finish on apples, pumpkins, and grain

• Late Fall: Process at 250 lbs (~6–8 months old)

• Winter: Sell or store meat; plan next batch

🌿 Two pigs/year can supply a family of 4 with pork all year—or generate $1,000+ in sales.

12. Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Overfeeding grain “to speed growth”

• Keeping pigs in mud (causes foot rot, parasites)

• Skipping pasture rotation

• Underestimating fencing needs

• Ignoring local laws on processing or sales

Small-scale pig farming isn’t about volume—it’s about quality, care, and connection. With smart planning, a few pigs can enhance your land, feed your family, and even support your homestead income—all while living ethically and sustainably.

“On a small farm, every pig has a name, a purpose, and a life well-lived.”

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