Venturing into pig farming
It is important that you prepare the purebred stock from an acknowledged breeder that has quality purebred stock, which is greatly helpful for your advertising and marketing later with instant credibility.
Housing and bonding
For the first 4-6 weeks, it is better to keep new pigs away from predators by placing them in a stall or safe quarters, which will also help you keep a close eye on your pigs to observe their performance. Wood shaving would be the best choice for pig bedding, and the living environment for pigs should be all-natural and chemicals free.
At the end of the 4-6 weeks, your pigs should be ready to be moved to their new home for the next 3 months before ready to market, and the boar can be separated from the gilts to prevent any premature breeding.
Fencing and outdoor shelter
It is a good time to start fencing during the first 4-6 weeks, and pigs can be fenced in many different ways.
There are three most popular fencing for pigs:
—Perimeter fencing with hot-wire is the cheapest way to go especially for large areas.
—Hog wire roll fencing with metal T post and wood post for bracing corners and long spans is a little more expensive.
—Hog panels with metal T post for support is the most expensive way to go, but it is also the easiest way to install and virtually maintenance-free.
For outdoor shelter, it is always better to use the natural environment for shade and protection. A wooden area is good to choose, but if you have no wooden area, you have to build or purchase one.
Pig watering and feed schedule
Be sure you have adequate and constant supply of freshwater because pigs need a lot of fresh clean water. It is a good start to get your pigs off to a start with 18-20% pig feed. It is best to put the young pigs on a free-choice diet, but not to feed them with more than 20% protein because it can cause scours which is dangerous for baby pigs.
Pig gestation and farrowing
Pig gestation period will last 114 days. It will be important that you log the breeding days so that you will have some ideas of when the new piglets will arrive. Your sows will need to be separated from the other pigs into her separate living areas and put on an 18% 12 lbs to 15 lbs diet, approximately one month before giving birth.
Raising piglets
The newborn piglets have to be given good nursery and after 8-10 weeks, piglets should be separated from the sow to wean for being raised to market weight. - Pigfarming.com