blending new piglets with older hogs

[yvonnemarie]

We have a gilt and barrow that we brought home back on Memorial Day. They are both a good 150lbs at this point.

We reserved a baby piggy (gilt) for pick up in September (so now).

The older hogs are not scheduled for slaughter until early December.

Can we put the young one in with the older ones or should we keep them separate for a period of time? If so, then what is the best way to blend them in together?

Thanks!

 

[Dino]

General answer... Don't do it, too much difference in size. Wait until they are closer in size. Now the other side... how large is your pen? Is it a pasture? Is there someplace for the little one can escape to
in case the others are too rough? Being they are all young I would try it but expect some show of interest and possible bossing around... but not always. Breed is also a factor.

 

[yvonnemarie]

General answer... Don't do it, too much difference in size. Wait until they are closer in size. Now the other side... how large is your pen? Is it a pasture? Is there someplace for the little one can escape to
in case the others are too rough? Being they are all young I would try it but expect some show of interest and possible bossing around... but not always. Breed is also a factor.

Yeah. That makes sense. The barrow is a bit bossy and likes to throw his weight around, literally and figuratively.

The pen is good for the two..500sqft without the enclosure (that's another 100 sqft or so), but we have a whole pasture on the other side of the enclosure that I was hoping to open up. I wanted to use e-fencing so starting a piglet out on the new fencing is a good idea. Just not sure how much time we have to put that all up and be ready to pick her up. We'll see what's the latest we can come get her.

The older two are Yorkshire+Landrace hybrids, bred for indoors, but have transitioned to outdoors very nicely. The new gilt is bunch of all kinds of good things (Yorkshire+Berkshire+Large Black with a smattering of Tamworth, Gloucester, and Hampshire). We picked this farm's hogs because they raise them outdoors and hardy for the VT winters. I imagine she bulk up to something pretty sturdy.

Thanks for your response. I appreciate it.