veggie scraps as sole feed source

[sawfish99]

I am working on convincing DW that we need 2-3 pigs to raise for meat. My local grocery store will give me unlimited free veg scraps that they can't sell. We have chickens and goats, but I rarely have excess eggs. We will likely have excess goat milk this sumer that I can give to the pigs.

I am considering fencing in a small area for the pigs (like 30'x60') with electric around the inside.

I don't know what breed I will end up with. There are a number of heritage breed farms and commercial breds farms around us; I would prefer a heritage breed, but it will depend on availability.

Can I be successful at raising the pigs for basically $0 feed cost?

 

[aggieterpkatie]

I'm trying to do the same thing with mine as well, by feeding as many scraps as possible. I'm just not sure plain veggies will be enough protein. I know it depends on what exactly they're eating though. I've been giving mine table scraps, excess goat milk, and scraps from a local resaurant (which unfortunately is mostly lettuce and carrot peels). Soon I'll be able to get all the veggies I want, as soon as the large vegetable growers start harvesting.

 

[aggieterpkatie]

I forgot to say that I am feeding some hog feed as well.

 

[SuburbanFarmChic]

Ours get veggie scraps and left over bread from a restaurant that starts with P and ends with nera. (Sometimes I don't give it all to the piggies) If we butcher they get the organ meats ( of non piggies ). They also get broken bags of dog food as a protein source.

 

[Cornish Heritage]

What you raise your pigs on & how well they do does depend somewhat on the breed. If you bring home commercial pigs that have never set foot on grass & start feeding them just veggies you may well have a problem!

Protein is very important in a pigs diet so if you do have excess milk then that is going to be a huge plus. Milk & veggies together are a great combination - wish we could get free veggies here! I would also provide them with a good mineral salt as that will be lacking from their diet.

You mention heritage breeds. Most heritage breeds do not do well in confinement & do much better on pasture PLUS they can be slower growing as they are grazers but they cost the same to raise, just take longer to get to the desired weight.

Do your research before you buy & don't just purchase because they look cute!

I can pretty much guarantee that once you have eaten your own homegrown pork you will never want to eat that "stuff" from the grocery store again

Liz

 

[sawfish99]

Thanks for the input. Right now the biggest challenge is convincing DW. I am definitely doing a lot of research before I bring any animals home.

 

[Back to Nature]

Ours get veggie scraps and left over bread from a restaurant that starts with P and ends with nera. (Sometimes I don't give it all to the piggies) If we butcher they get the organ meats ( of non piggies ). They also get broken bags of dog food as a protein source.

Do the organs help the pigs? How much do you give? And do the organs/dog food affect the flavor at all?

 

[Cornish Heritage]

Do the organs help the pigs? How much do you give? And do the organs/dog food affect the flavor at all?

Pigs need a varied diet like humans as they have the same digestive system. Therefore they do need a good source of protein. I would cook all meat that you give to the pigs. Feeding them raw meat gives them a taste for it & the next thing you know they will be chasing down your chickens etc!

As for dog food, I personally don't recommend that as unless it is a REALLY good quality dog food it will be full of preservatives etc which you may not want in your meat.

What you feed does affect the taste but only if you feed a LOT so once in a while is not going to. For example some folks finish their pigs on acorns or apples & they say the meat does take on a different taste.

Liz

 

[Back to Nature]

What you feed does affect the taste but only if you feed a LOT so once in a while is not going to. For example some folks finish their pigs on acorns or apples & they say the meat does take on a different taste.

I would never feed dog food. Have you seen what they put in that crap? I was just curious as to the flavor.

How long would you have to feed something to change the flavor of the meat? Because I don't think a pig would be healthy eating just apples or acorns for months.. I've never done it though so idk.

 

[Royd Wood]

You would never just feed apples, acorns and pigs are not stupid
At the hight of fruit season its a free for all in the woods for our pigs with a choice of peach, pear and apple freechoice and they are fed grains twice a day - with no probs
Same again at pumpkin time