For the love of swine.
FAQ ON THE MINIS
Breaking down the highlights.
HOW BIG WILL MY PIG GET?
First and foremost, it is incredibly unethical to promise/guarantee a size, when there's absolutely no way to do so. We have zero control over how they are managed once outside of our care. The best predictor is the size of their mature parents.
-Mini pigs are size classified on height (vs weight,) since max skeletal growth is genetically predetermined, but weight is largely influenced by outside factors, and less predictable.
-It is very important to keep in mind that just as within human families, children can be larger or smaller than their parents. Genetics are the beginning, followed by the importance of outside influences. A pig kept entirely indoor that has little to no opportunity to move around, and overeats, is going to inevitable end up larger than necessary, and this is just as unhealthy as an underfed pig. Keep your pig active and on a managed and species specific diet, and they have the best chance of staying fit and trim, thusly maintaining good health.
is based on that of fully mature parents.
HOW OFTEN AND WHAT DO I FEED MY PET PIG?
-A sample bag of feed will be sent home with your piglet. We start all piglets on Purina Nature Match Sow & Pig, in the green bag found at Tractor Supply.
-Feed twice daily, morning and late afternoon. Always have available fresh water. Veggie and fruits are welcome snacks, with emphasis on veggies over fruit due to their sugar content.
-We highly recommend water soaking individual feed portions for the first two weeks, to help keep them well hydrated and “things moving” during this transition into their new home.
-Future water soaking will also help a hungry pig feel fuller. They will all try and convince you they’re starving all the time! Pigs just have a hard time stopping even when full, which can lead to overeating and major tummy aches/bloat, gas, hard stools, and possible vomiting.
-A more detailed feed guideline is included in your take home piggy packet.
WHAT TYPE OF MEDICAL FOLLOW-UPS DOES MY PIG NEED?
-Deworming- every piglet is required to be dewormed again within the first month, and all info is included in take home packet, down to type and exact dosage. They require two different dewormers that preventatively treat varying types of parasites, internal and external.
-Vaccinations- we are a closed herd and no longer vaccinate. Your vet will help you determine if your area shows a need for your piglet to be vaccinated. Most do not.
HOW DO I LITTER TRAIN MY PIGLET?!
-Pigs are fortunately very smart and naturally clean animals. This makes for a quick to train pet!
-You MUST start them off in a small enclosure for at least the first two weeks, at minimum. Something like a small 6 or 8 paneled playpen for dogs or kids, or small mudroom/bathroom. Keep their bed and food/water dishes on the exact opposite side of their litter pan (never use kitty litter, we only use pine pellets or pine shavings). They will naturally find the area furthest away from their food and bed. If they make mistakes and pee/poo outside of box, use a paper towel to soak the pee or to pick up the poo, and place the soaked paper towel or just the poo into their litter box. This helps establish that as their bathroom. *It is very important to not let them have free reign of the house during this litter training period, because they will choose and establish their own litter area otherwise. The pig needs to be kept in their pen at all times other than when being held or actively played with, when inside.
DOES MY PIGLET NEED TO BE SPAYED OR NEUTERED?
-An absolute necessity when keeping a pig as a pet! Spaying and Neutering keeps your pig from experiencing those hormonal changes that make for very unpleasant housemates.
-Intact males will grow large tusks and try and mount everything in sight, not to mention the male related aggression, chomping and foaming at the mouth, and the strong stench the emit.
-Intact females will cycle into heat every 21 days, starting as early as 8-12 weeks of age, and are horrendously moody and aggressive for 3-4 days each cycle, also mounting anything in sight and biting.