A lot of people instead of raising cattle, goats or sheep go for raising pigs, the reason being raising pigs is as profitable as raising any other livestock. Pig farming is very profitable when done the right way but at the same time can be a disaster when done wrong.
Below are some guidelines on the right living conditions needed in order to raise healthy pigs. These guidelines can be followed even if you are a beginner livestock farmer who has no experience in raising any kind of livestock.
1. When just beginning in raising swine the first thing you have to prepare is land and housing. Pigs house can be designed using hog wire, fencing hardware and hay to keep the pigs warm when temperatures droop. And house should be well ventilated as well and be kept clean. Believe it or not but pigs are clean animals and don’t like to defecate their own pens but that doesn’t mean you can’t help them out.
When designing your swine house it can cut it into sections, with one section being a place where your livestock will sleep, another section is where they will feed and other section where they will relieve themselves.
2. The next thing to do is to choose the right breed for your farm. There’s a wide range of swine breeds to choose from which can be found through pig breeders. Just make sure you deal with a reputable breeder. The type of breed you choose will depend on the goal you want to achieve. Places to look for swine breeders are yellow pages, farmers magazines, newspapers and even at auctions. Or you can ask from other farmers in your community who can refer you to reputable breeders.
3. Fencing your swine pen is a wise idea. This will help in keeping your pigs safe and keeping out unwanted predators that can harm your pigs. This will also allow your swine to roam around the yard without getting lost. From time to time check your fence to see if your livestock haven’t made some holes to go through.
4. You should make sure your pigs are properly fed. An ideal feeding routine is twice a day. In order for your swine to produce good quality meat a healthy diet is needed. Well balanced food is a must. You should also get a licensed veterinarian to come check on your swine to make sure all is well.