If you are thinking about raising your own meat, but aren't sure where to start, let me suggest a pig...well actually two pigs. Most people I know who want to try their hand at raising meat start with either goats or chickens...probably because they are small. But personally, I don't eat goat meat, and chickens are...well...let's just say, it's complicated (and that's a post for another day). So if you eat pork, start with pigs. Here's why:1. You can't really mess up pig feeding. Pigs eat just about anything. However particular you are with your food determines how particular you will be with your pigs' food. Since we try to eat clean and organic, the scraps our pigs get are also clean and organic. We supplement scraps with high quality feed: we use Calf Manna (good stuff!) and corn. We also feed our pigs lots of eggs since we have those in plenty around here.
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| Young pigs eating scraps. |
2. Housing for two pigs is super easy as well. All you need for two pigs is a small pasture (really just a paddock) and a 3-sided shelter. Some may argue you don't even need a shelter, but I feel better knowing my animals have shade in the summer and shelter from the harsh elements in winter.
3. Birth to slaughter is extremely short for a pig. Pigs farrow twice a year, so a spring litter is ready for slaughter in the fall, and a fall litter is ready for slaughter in the spring. (Poor momma, right?) The fast turn-around is great because the return on your investment is quick, and if you decide meat-raising is not for you, you're not stuck for long. About the time I'm fed up with the pigs, it's time for them to go to slaughter anyway!
4. Speaking of slaughter, that's another benefit. Slaughterhouses process pork. For several reasons, I prefer letting someone else "do the dirty work." One of those reasons is that you need to know what you're doing to correctly process an animal, and I don't.
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| 7-month old Tamworth pig ready for slaughter. |
5. Finally, it's hard to fall in love with a pig. I know Hollywood would have you believe otherwise, but pigs are NOT cutesy, adorable pets...at least not the type of pig you'll be eating. Not only are they nasty, pigs are mean and aggressive! I am terrified of pigs! Yes, the babies are cute, but that only lasts a couple of months. After that, they would just as quickly bowl you over and bite your leg in two for some feed as look at you! The pigs are the one barnyard animal we don't let the boys pet or play with.
If you're not already convinced that pigs are the way to go, just think about those juicy pork chops and sausage biscuits you could be eating. Beef is alright, but pork is where it's at! Sure there's more to it than what's mentioned above, but pigs really are super easy and great for a beginning homesteader!
