Raising a Pig for a Pet? Help......

I know everyone will think this is silly (as it seems no one does this kind of thing)....
But I am getting a pig for my anniversary present (I have always wanted one), as a pet.

I met a sweet little Hampshire pig named Abigail (she is about 70 lbs right now) that is the cutest thing ever, and is always wagging her little tail.
I am not at all willing to slaughter her.

We are building her a pen next to our pony, who seems quite lonely himself.......

How big will she get?
Any great pig raising tips?
How to keep her from getting smelly?
Will she attack our dogs or kids or us?
How do I train her to walk, even though I will not show her?

Thanks so much!!!!!!

This message was edited Oct 5, 2007 8:48 AM

have you read THE GOOD GOOD PIG by Sy Montgomery? It is a great memoir about a pig that she had as a pet which is a fun, easy read. It might hep you get some questions answered.

Thank You!
I will find it and read it!

I am happy to get whatever ideas I can!

Well, we raised them in the 70's for food and I can tell you we did move the pen every year, more if it was a wet year. Nothing to do about the smell, they are all pigs! Ours were always happy go lucky...made me very sad, maybe thats why my parents had the kids take care of the them. I would google to find a local pig group maybe even hit a fair or two to connect with pig people.

Your little piggy will become a mommy pig if you want. (It would be fun if you have kids.) She will grow until she reaches 600 or 700 pounds. About 2 or 3 years.

They can be trained to go where you want them to go. Takes some time & patience. There are halters made for pigs, then you can lead them on a leash.

I bet if you do some Google on "pig" you will find lots of info.

Have fun!
Bernie

Here you go.

Sorry the piggy isn't the right color.

This message was edited Oct 5, 2007 10:11 PM

Thank You! Thank You!
Ill post pics of her when we bring her home (hopefully next week)......

Maybe if I give her baths, she'll stay smelling good!

Will she still like to hang out with us when she is full grown, will she like to hang out with us? Will she keep her personality?

Actually pigs don't smell bad if their pen is kept clean. I had friends who had potbelly and some humongous big black and white ones. The big ones were actually much easier to get along with than the potbelly. We used to have to hide cherios all over the house before we went anywhere to keep her busy while we were gone. One day we forgot and she ate through the wall to get outside.

The big pigs were great, very laid back and friendly. They had a huge enclosure with lots of sawdust for bedding. They used to come in the house and watch TV and we'd use them for backrests. They didn't smell at all. They did tricks for pepermints. The last time I saw them, the one must have weighed 6 or 7 hundred pounds and was still just like a puppy.

Its not that pigs smell its about their pen. I guess if you clean it out all the time it would be mild, but who has time! Our pigs pooped in one corner of the pen, pigs smell thats the bottom line

I babysat a friends potbelly (years ago) for several weeks. The time that pig spent in my house broke me of any desire to ever have one of my own....lol. Her husband eventually made her get rid of it as it was destructive in the house.

Remember to post piggie pics when you get yours !!! I've read they are very smart and I think, like most pets, food rewards are key to training.

Julie

I found that food rewards work in training husbands and children too. At least till you run out of food they they are like a pack of coyotes.

Good point !!!

Julie

rotflmao

Thanks
I now know my problem
never learned to cook.....

no wonder no one ever was trained

I am so excited, I think we get to pick her up on Friday.
Does anyone know if Coyotes bother pigs????

On Sunday we are also getting 2 kinder goats, they are the same age as the pig, so I am hoping they can become friends!

I hope Abigail (the pig) will come in and watch TV! That would be so much fun!

We were told she will be grow to about 350 lbs.... But we saw another pig that was about 700 lbs! That was a GIANT pig! He actually had black polka dots all over his body!

I imagine coyotes would have no problem tackling a small pig or the goats.

I'd get Abigail use to being hosed off and going inside to watch tv right from the start of things.

Good luck and post piglet/goat baby pics !!

Julie

I have a pot belly piggy name Daisymae.if ya type in that word up in Search area..she will come up..She even had her own Pic of the day here on Daves..She stays outside 99% of the time and I dress her up with different stuff on her..lol..she only comes in when the weather is getting down to the 30's few days but otherwords..she stays outside..and roams all over my backyard with my 2 dogs and chickens and ducks..and eats veggie treats and unsweeten horsefeed...she is going on 9 years old sometime next month..

it sure should cut down on people coming by for a visit. who wants to walk in pig crap in the house. and the smell will be so nice.where does hubby sleep , out in the barn?
Ive heard everything now.

I had a pet pig for two years. She used to follow me around like a dog!! When we first got her I would whistle to her when I fed her. As she got older she could be across the lot, I would whistle and she would high-tail it to me!! The only problem I had with her is if she came into the sheep lot with me, she would chase the lambs!!
Have fun with her!