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Caring for Pigs Hints and Tips

Happily, the national trend for keeping pigs outdoors has been steadily increasing during recent years.  Rare breeds are particularly well suited to the outdoor life, as their hardy characteristics suit the conditions better than those of intensively-bred breeds. 

Piglet in straw

Pigs are very sensitive to extremes of climate.  They have no sweat glands so when they are hot their only solution is to wallow.  In hot climates, pigs are generally nocturnal for this reason.  They are also highly susceptible to sunburn and wallowing in mud will provide a helpful sunscreen.  In cold weather, they have no thick hair, only a layer of fat, so they’ll huddle together to keep warm.  It is important to provide adequate shelter.

Pigs prefer scrub or light woodland for their outdoor habitat, rather than open grassland where they feel more vulnerable to predators.  Their bodies are adapted to push through scrub, so if you’ve got scrub to clear they’ll do a great job of rooting it up for you.  This will also provide them with a more varied diet (although good management, housing and additional feeding will still be required).  Pigs forage for all sorts of vegetable and meat, even carrion – they’ll eat anything they regard as edible! 

If you decide to keep your pigs indoors, they must have adequate shelter from draughts (but good ventilation), freedom of movement, lighting (so that they can be checked at any time of the day or night) and fresh water at all times.  Furthermore, all pigs must be protected from disease, injury and vice.  You must have ample time to check for signs of distress, disease or aggression.

 

 


Contact us at MVF if you need more help >>

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