Just Thinking About Breeding...

[aggieterpkatie]

So I got a gilt to raise for the freezer, and now I'm sort of pondering keeping her to breed her once and then maybe processing her. About what age will she come in to heat, and when will she be safe to breed? Should I wait until her 2nd heat? She's only about 10/11 weeks now, so it'll be several months. also, I know gestation is 114 days, so that's another almost 4 months, plus about 2 months until piglets are weaned... so, approximately how old do you think she'll be by the time she's ready for the freezer? Now that I think about it, maybe it's better to just buy more piglets instead of breeding my own. It's hard to find young pigs around here for less than $50...most are $70 or $80. I was thinking I could make a little money selling the litter.

 

[Stubbornhillfarm]

A few years ago around here, you could find piglets for $40-$50. Now it seems they are all $90-$100. Certainly does make one consider breeding them to sell.

 

[Cornish Heritage]

A few years ago around here, you could find piglets for $40-$50. Now it seems they are all $90-$100. Certainly does make one consider breeding them to sell.

LOL! You have to take into account the cost of raising the pigs. Most folks selling cheap pigs are definitely not making any money. Not only that but you either have to AI or you have to keep a boar around. Just because a pig is cute does not mean that it will be a good mother. You really need to look at the genetics & history and know what you are buying.

Gilts come into heat at around 9mths - some a little earlier, some a little later. SO taking 9 mths as the average, a gilt will then farrow at 13 mths, feed her piglets for 2 mths & then after that you would need to get her back into condition before butchering her so you would be looking at 16-18 mths old. That is totally fine for eating some good pork We have eaten a 2 year old before & she was delicious.

If you are just going to breed crossbreeds my advice would not be to go into it to make money as it is unlikely that you would (waste of time IMO competing with the commercial guys) BUT if you want to provide meat for your family, knowing where your pork is coming from then that is totally different.

Liz

 

[aggieterpkatie]

If you are just going to breed crossbreeds my advice would not be to go into it to make money as it is unlikely that you would (waste of time IMO competing with the commercial guys) BUT if you want to provide meat for your family, knowing where your pork is coming from then that is totally different.

Liz

Thanks for your reply. I was hoping you'd chime in. It's so hard to find piglets around here, I know I'd at least be able to sell them all...BUT it's probably not worth it since I could probably get more piglets from the same man I got this one from. I'll just have to make sure he saves a couple for me since he sells them all right at weaning. I don't really think feeding my girl for 18 mos or so before processing is going to save me any money, epecially since we're only talking about raising a couple pigs a year! Would be fun to have piglets someday though....maybe when we get a bigger place!

 

[Cornish Heritage]

Would be fun to have piglets someday though....maybe when we get a bigger place!

Pigs are fun and it does seem like there are less & less folks raising them. The price of grain really makes a difference. Glad you are thinking things through & if you can support your local guy & are pleased with what he produces then that is a good thing.

When you do decide to raise your own pigs you want to be looking for pastured breeds so that you are not feeding so much grain and a breed that doesn't root up your whole pasture!

Liz

 

[Stubbornhillfarm]

A few years ago around here, you could find piglets for $40-$50. Now it seems they are all $90-$100. Certainly does make one consider breeding them to sell.

LOL! You have to take into account the cost of raising the pigs. Most folks selling cheap pigs are definitely not making any money. Not only that but you either have to AI or you have to keep a boar around. Just because a pig is cute does not mean that it will be a good mother. You really need to look at the genetics & history and know what you are buying.

Gilts come into heat at around 9mths - some a little earlier, some a little later. SO taking 9 mths as the average, a gilt will then farrow at 13 mths, feed her piglets for 2 mths & then after that you would need to get her back into condition before butchering her so you would be looking at 16-18 mths old. That is totally fine for eating some good pork We have eaten a 2 year old before & she was delicious.

If you are just going to breed crossbreeds my advice would not be to go into it to make money as it is unlikely that you would (waste of time IMO competing with the commercial guys) BUT if you want to provide meat for your family, knowing where your pork is coming from then that is totally different.

Liz

Oh I know Liz. Believe me, I wasn't talking about serious pig farmers and I didn't mean to imply that you would be making a ton of money. Just that around here currently it is a booming business for whatever reason. So many people are wanting to raise backyard pigs to feed their family which is an awesome thing in my opinion. My comment was really based on that and the fact that even feed stores like Blue Seal around here are having a hard time getting piglets to fill their orders. The pig business has really just exploded in our area in the past two years.

I absolutely agree that raising your own animals of any kind doesn't make you wealthy. Just like any other animal, if you want to be breed specific and raise from good stock and encourage the good qualities you are going to pay more, it's going to cost more; because you are going to take the extra steps, and it will be a long term commitment. I wish that there were those who raised pigs in this way around here. Unfortunatley, mixed breeds, so mixed that the pig farmer cant even tell you what breed they are is what you get in this area. What breed is it? "Not really sure. Mixed breed. It's pink!"