Keeping Pigs: What You Actually Need to Know
Pigs are a moderate choice to keep, known for being intelligent, food-motivated, can be strong-willed with a typical lifespan of 10–15 years if kept beyond meat age.
Pigs are a moderate choice for a lot of homesteads, and it's worth walking through the detail behind our printable card here.
Shelter, 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.
Housing and Setup
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.
Everyday Care
Keep these points in mind:
- 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.
Keeping Them Healthy
Worth paying attention to:
- 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.
What to Expect
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.
For the quick-reference printable version of everything above, see the main pigs guide page.