| Pot-bellied Pig Care |
| Pigs & Feeding Pigs are just that pigs. You would not feed cat food to your dog nor should you feed dog food to your pig. People way smarter then us have scientifically developed feed which contain the correct nutritional value , minerals and vitamins they need. Over feeding can cause feet & leg problems, also pigs develop too much fat around the head and causes blindness as the fat closes in over their eyes. Too little feed will not keep your pig small it will just cause development problems and you will have a starving malnutritioned pig. |
| Pigs & Treats Air blown pop corn is a favourite treat of course do not add salt or butter. Pigs love to eat and every bite is a taste sensation for them. I just love to watch my pigs eat and savour the flavour which is why you want to keep the treats as fat free as possible. |
| Tusks & Trims Pigs need their hoofs trimmed just like all hooven animals. This doesn't need to be a hair raising experience, some of my pigs have been clipped a little here and a little there while munching away on a pile of popcorn . I will do some more on the pig another day if I don't get it as nice as I would have like to. Be very care full when your doing this a black smith or your veterinarian is your best guide. Pigs have tusks both females and males, with the males protruding quite a bit more. If your pig needs his tusks altered they need to be wire sawed off NOT BROKEN OFF as they are part of the jaw . Tusks do not always grow correctly, one of my pigs tusks grow into his inner lips , one grows into his cheek. Your veterinarian can help you make the right decision . |
| Water Water dishes must be kept clean and replenished daily. Pigs are not great water drinkers in the first place so you don't want to discourage it with filthy and contaminated water bowls. Many folks encourage water intake by adding a bit of juice or adding water to there feed. All pigs need ample water in the hot summer months , please offer a small children's pool for your babies to cool off in. Pigs do not sweat so overheating is a major concern, they also can sunburn with out adequate shade . |
| Home Your pig will have access to the outside where he can graze , root and enjoy the feel of the sun on his back and the soil on his nose.You may have to put in a ramp in the case of too many or too steep of stairs. His perfect place will have grass, shade and somewhere warm to call his own. A large wood doghouse with a raised off the ground is ideal when stuffed with wool blankets and straw of course! A pig loves to root under the straw and completely bury himself in it whether it is hot or cold outside . Make sure if you are making him an outside enclosure that it is high enough for him to be safe against stray or wild dogs. If you are putting a baby outside be careful that he is protected, and not so young that he could be killed by predators such as cats, raccoons or birds of prey. I used netting to cover my baby pen when they were out even when I was at home. Inside your pig will have a place where he can call his own, it can be a favourite quilt, a soft pad or a mound of blankets. Pigs love to be comfortable just like us and many piggy owners have huge body pillows made just for their pigs. some pigs pick a closet as a favourite place, and love to pull down clothes to add to there beds. In the winter my babies are tucked in and respond with" oofs " of thanks. |
| Spaying & Neutering Spaying/neutering is an absolute must for your piggy companion. He will start to feel his oats as early as 8 weeks old and is capable of impregnating any female piggy who is in her heat cycle. He will already carry the distinctive boar scent. He will be forever searching for "something" to love, adequate fencing is a must as he will be crafty and "pig - headed" about his needs.. In Willy's quest he found my horse laying down in her stall, and when this didn't fulfill his needs he left the property searching. I have read that pigs can be altered at a very young age but it is my opinion that it is best accomplished when the piglet is between 3-4 months of age. His strong scent will leave him and he will settle down to other business such as grazing. She will have a cycle one week every 21 days, as early as 12 weeks old and can be cranky during this period. Females are also more prone to tumors and the operations to remove them can be fatal. Spay should be done before the age of 6 months. This is more involved than neutering and the older they get the more complicated the procedure. Please spay or neuter your charges, there simply aren't enough loving forever homes out there. |
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