Raising a pet pig?

VeganFarmer

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I disagree with cornish heritage, even though I'm a newbie on this forum and who am I to talk? I apologize in advance.
You may be thinking of hogs. Pot belly pigs are often very similar costs of having a pig, if you already have a basic structure for the pig to sleep in and some fencing. Even if you don't, it's not that expensive. Outside pigs especially are quite simple to keep. DO NOT feed pet pigs food meant for meat pigs, they will get extremely obese. Feed it pet Pot Belly Pig chow, sometimes available at feed stores, but usually available just for online order. They are adorable, and lovable pets, but make sure to do your research. Getting some good pigs should do you good. Keep in mind this forum is usually referring to HOGS, not Pet Pottbellied pigs, which are quite different. Have fun, and don't forget to rescue if you have a farmyard rescue in your area!
 

Cornish Heritage

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I disagree with cornish heritage, even though I'm a newbie on this forum and who am I to talk? I apologize in advance.
LOL! No apology needed. I have no problem with folks disagreeing with me. That is why we are all chatting/discussing on a forum - we all have different ideas. Helps everyone consider all sides & options.

Liz
 

ksalvagno

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I do not own pigs but my suggestion would be to visit people who do have pet pigs. See what their setup is like. See how their pigs are. Really understand what you are getting into and do your research.
 

redtailgal

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I had what was supposed to have been a pot belly once. I rescued her from a junkyard. Yes, she was a junkyard pig. She ended up being HUGE. I never did get a wieght on her, but she was as big as my mastiff and took up the entire backseat of my car. She liked to go for a ride, esp when she saw McDonalds.....the golden archs would set her to screaming until she got her small order of french fries. (French fries were a RARE treat for her).

I had built her a pen, which she promptly tore down. I rebuilt it, and she went under it. We had the battle of the pigpen for a while and I finally gave up. She pastured herself with the horses, and would follow along like a dog when we went for a ride. She was also NOT at all friendly to strangers and made an excellent guard pig for the barn, even saving us from a robbery at one point.

She was a good pig, but I was NEVER around her without a large whoppin' stick. She had INTENSE mood swings. She'd want her belly rubbed and then when she was thru, she'd let you know by lunging at your arm. She was also extremely food aggressive (but she has spent a large amount of time in that junkyard being hungry, so I dont blame her).

She hated dogs with a golden passion and would kill every one she saw, but she loved to snuggle with the cats.

After I had her a couple years, she died and was buried in the horse pasture.

Her name was "Sue" cuz I called her "suueeeepig". My mother in law's name is also Sue, but I have never got her to believe that the name thing was coincidence.

I did love my pig, and I am glad that I was able to rescue her. But, I will never have another pet pig. I'm sure that there are some wonderful pet pigs out there, dont doubt it one bit. But an angry pig is a VERY dangerous critter. They have amazing speed, and are vastly intelligent. If you do something that they dont like, they do not forget, nor do they forgive very easily.
 

VeganFarmer

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I suggest you pick up a book on pig behavior and training. If you can't find a rescue, buy from a reputable breeder breeding PET pigs. Pigs are very different from dogs behaviour wise, but once you understand how they tick you will master the "art" of keeping your position as head pig. Some say pigs are like having a two year old, some say like an eighty year old. I say a pig is a pig. ;)





::frow
 

VeganFarmer

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Cornish Heritage said:
I disagree with cornish heritage, even though I'm a newbie on this forum and who am I to talk? I apologize in advance.
LOL! No apology needed. I have no problem with folks disagreeing with me. That is why we are all chatting/discussing on a forum - we all have different ideas. Helps everyone consider all sides & options.

Liz
Of course. I'm new on the forum, and I just have to watch myself, to see how the community works on this forum. So far I'm liking it. I've been on forums where moderators will put a halt to any dissagreement, and I whole-heartedly dissagree with that way of running a forum, all though I've never mentioned it to any mod, as it's not my place to.
Anyway, back on topic.......




:frow
 

PinkFox

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u might alsowant to lookto kune kune pigs or AHGs if you just looking for a "pet" their smaller size means there cheaper to feed, esier to handle and both breeds are easy on pasture, the kune especially where as pbs can be srous rooters!
 
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