Time req. for piggies?

[Jen-NY]

Hi all...
Well, it's been a while since I've posted anything, but I've a dilemma that needs ya'll's input. I'm trying to decide if I can handle adding a couple of pigs to our menagerie....so here's the run down.
DH is now working third shift full time in addition to going to school full time. In other words, if he's home, he's sleeping. So, right now, here's what my days are like...
5:30a - up, shower, dress, eat(if I have time)
- feed/water the dog, outdoor cat, pullets, turkeys, chickens, and hens. (though the broilers will be freezer bound in two weeks).
6:00a - hopefully leave for work
6:00p - usually arriving home for work, provided no stops are to be made

I have from the until 9p to repeat the morning feed and watering cycle, in addition, water the garden(and weeding soon) make dinner, do dishes, and other housework until I wake DH up at 9p to get him off to work by 10p so I can get ready for bed and do the whole thing over again.

So. Mitra, Pat, Liz, DanMa...and any one else with piggies....do you think I can slide a couple of pigs into the mix? This will be our first run at raising them, and I've absolutely no clue what kind of time they're going to require. We intend to fence them in a decent area, so hopefully they'll stay put, and also plan to set them up in the woods where it's nice and shady(hopefully).

Mike has already admitted that the decision is undoubtably mine, as he won't be able to help much except on weekends, and then not a ton, as there's a whole list that builds up during the week.

Am I nuts to consider taking this on? Thankfully, I don't think I'll have a problem selling the other hog, so getting two is a foregone decision.

[Liz]

When we first get them we spend as much time as possible with them getting them used to us, although if you are giving them garden waste and milk or clabber then they will figure out very soon that you are friend not foe!

This is what we do, but nowhere does it say it is necessary! They will get used to you, and they will show their personalities and playfulness, especially if they are coming from a breeder that has spent time with the sow.

I think it is doable, the meat in the end is so worth it!

hth!

[Jessika]

If you are raising them outside with a small house and plenty of room, there will be very little, if any clean up involved. For only 2 it will take you less than 5 minutes to feed and water twice a day.
I have 4 children, 8yrs down to 11 months that I homeschool, cloth diaper, cook meals from scratch( most of the time!) plus I milk 2 cows by hand, care for 30 hens, 7 cows, 2 goats, a pony, and by myself right now am raising 55 pigs. These include 1 week old piglets and nursing sows, breeding stock, 800 lb boar and 45 market hogs. My husband works off the farm and is allergic to all the animals so only helps out very minimally. I have an organic meat business that I started and also garden. So with your schedule, which does seem full, I definitely think you can squeeze in a couple pigs. Beware you just might get attached to them! Remember what they are for, and I guarantee it will be the best meat you've ever tatsed! Most of all I absolutely LOVE to watch all their antics. Don't worry about escapes, my situation a week ago was a rarity, as you can see I raise a lot of pigs, which are all by the way in a few strands of electric wire. Those 2 sows were huge, 500-600lbs, brand new to our system, and it is a lot different than piglets that you raise to butcher size. I say go for it and have fun!

[Tricia]

Well, if eastcoastfarmer can do it, and that is a busy busy place, you certainly can also. Isn't that inspiration enough!!!!
It is just extra time in your busy schedule.
As long as they are outdoors in plenty of space it makes things easier. No piggy pooper scooping in the basement like Mitra did before hers went outside (I still get a kick out of that!).
Go for it, get a Bacon and a Sausage (keeps things in perspective).

[Jen-NY]

Thanks for the vote of confidence!

I'll have to give the local guy a call and see if he still has piglets

[DanMa]

Sorry, I just got to see this. As every one says, if you have a pen and shelter, the daily routine takes about as much time as feeding and watering a dog. If you want to pooper scoop their pen for the compost pile and/or to cut down on odor figure a bit more time for that.

[Mitra]

I'm late to the party too! Ditto what everyone else said. If you've got the shelter and fencing worked out, there's really not much to it time-wise. Like Liz, I try to spend a good amount of time with them when they're little but then it's just twice a day for feeding and giving scritches. Some people feed them free-choice so that could also be a time saver for you (as long as they don't run out of food!)

[DanMa]

Yes, I forgot to feed mine yesterday morning. By the time I thought of it they had gotten out but were remarkably good at being bribed back into their pen with food.