Pigs — Animal Guide — Holly's Homestead

Space

4–6m² shelter, 100m²+ outdoor area per pig

Diet

Pig grower pellets + kitchen scraps + foraged pasture

Water

Constant fresh access, high intake

Temperament

Intelligent, food-motivated, can be strong-willed

Lifespan

10–15 years if kept beyond meat age

01Shelter, shade, and a wallow

Pigs can't sweat effectively, so shade and a wallow or mud patch are essential in warm weather — as important to their setup as the shelter itself.

Shelter

Solid, weatherproof shelter with deep straw bedding.

Fencing

Very sturdy fencing or electric wire — pigs are strong and will test boundaries, especially when food-motivated.

Bedding

Deep straw, refreshed regularly; pigs appreciate a thick bed to root in and sleep on.

Feed a consistent twice-daily ration plus any scraps.
Provide a wallow or mud area, especially in hot weather.
Move to fresh ground periodically if using a rotational system — pigs root and can quickly bare an area.
Handle regularly from a young age for easier management.

Escaping — reinforce fencing regularly; electric wire is often the most reliable deterrent.
Sunburn — pale-skinned breeds especially; ensure good shade access.
Rooting damage — expected behaviour; rotate ground or accept the area will be turned over.
Heat stress — the wallow is essential in warm weather, not optional.

Processing age

5–7 months for standard meat breeds, longer for heritage/slow-growing breeds.

Yield

Roughly 70–75kg dressed weight from a well-grown standard breed.

Method

On-farm or licensed processor — check local regulations carefully before home processing.

Storage

Fresh in the fridge a few days; freezes very well, and much of the carcass suits curing.

Good with

Land needing turning over before planting (rotational use)

Avoid keeping with

Weak or unreinforced fencingAreas without shade in summer

Note

Pigs are excellent at turning over ground ahead of a garden bed — a genuinely useful role if rotated deliberately.