Profitable pig rearing

Requirements

The basic need for rearing healthy pigs lies is a spacious and properly ventilated pig pen. The site of should be flat and free from mud and stagnant water that can attract insects. Insects bite piglets resulting in poor health which affects the quality of pork when they are slaughtered.

The pen must be spacious enough to allow the pigs free movement. Fencing and concrete slabs are recommended to make the pig pen comfortable. Fences should be buried some six inches into the ground before attaching the hog wire for sturdiness. Ensure that the pigs cannot stand up on these slabs or jump over them.

Pigs are curious animals and tend to roam about too much. Concrete slabs also ensure proper flooring and easy cleaning. Hay and straw should be abundant in the pen as it absorbs the odours of the manure. Pigs are organised animals, so assign specific areas for them to play, feed, relieve themselves and sleep in. The pen should have a roof. Pigs are sensitive animals and easily disturbed even by faint thunder of flash of lightning.

Selecting the breed

Farmers should aim to get the highest quality breed. Proper advice regarding the breed to buy would be best acquired from a reputable seller, as this will vary depending on your purpose for keeping pigs.

Hygiene is vital and proper cleaning of the pens to keep the pigs healthy is essential for success.

Not every bag of pig feed is the right one for your pig. Piglets should be fed with recommended feed suitable for their age. At this stage the feed should be rich with amino acid, which is necessary for growth of the pig. Well reared and happy pigs produce high numbers of healthy piglets. Give the animals clean water, a well-balanced diet and adequate ventilation.

The farmer should maintain a record keeping system of his pigs to check on aspects such as improvements in productiveness or lack of it. Understanding a pig’s “point of balance” can give farmers and pigs peace of mind. The point of balance is around the animal’s shoulder. If you touch the animal behind her shoulder, she will move forward and if you touch her in front of the shoulder she backs up. This helps the pig move in the direction the farmer wants.

Minimize stress

Transportation can be stressful to animals as much as it is for humans. Transportation of the pigs must be kept to a minimum in order to maximize their farming profits. It is important to walk through the pens and handle the pigs to get them used to positive human interaction. The animals should be accustomed to this at a tender age.

Lucrative markets for pig products are readily available both locally and outside the country. Companies such as Colcom and several abattoirs across the country buy pigs at attractive prices.

The price of a pig is determined by its weight and health. Whichever way one looks at it, pig farming remains one of the most lucrative forms of farming. The venture can be undertaken both at small scale and large commercial levels.