by Diane Jaramillo

Created on: July 16, 2008

I grew up on a hog farm in southern Colorado, so I don't consider pigs as a pet-type creature. I've never had dealings with miniature pigs, so I can't speak to that. I'll stick with what I know, which is Hampshire, Duroc, Poland-China, etc.

I have always enjoyed being around hogs. Contrary to popular belief, they are actually very clean animals. The myth that pig pens are filthy is quite offensive to me. Hogs will urinate and defecate in one corner of their pen or shelter and will sleep in a different corner. Like cats, they prefer to have their food and water areas away from their 'litter box' areas.

Pigs require mud holes because they only have a few sweat glands, and those are located between their hind legs. Since they don't sweat, they can overheat quite easily. Mud holes or misters are essential to the health of the hog. Light colored hogs, such as Yorkshire and Landrace, can also get sunburned quite easily. The mud helps protect their sensitive skin from sun and wind. You can apply sunscreen to their hides, but mud is cheaper and more plentiful, and is not likely to get your hands chewed on.

Hogs are quite social animals. They are much happier in a group setting than they are by themselves. If left to their own devices, they can get into LOTS of trouble. I've not yet seen a fence they couldn't dig out from under or a gate they couldn't open. It's quite humbling to stand in the pen and watch them out think you.

Most hogs also get along well with other animals such as sheep and goats. However, it is a good idea to keep chickens, cats, and small dogs away from hogs. Hogs are omnivores, and if they can get meat, they'll eat it. Usually, however, they are quite happy on a hay and corn diet, which makes them easy keepers from a feeding perspective.

Like all animals, whether they are pets or livestock, hogs need their shots and routine health care. Hogs suffer from internal and external parasites, viruses, bacteria, etc. Most of the time simple home remedies really do suffice to keep the animal healthy. Some of these home remedies include giving apple cider vinegar to sows that have just farrowed if they are constipated. Other home remedies include putting jello in the waterers to mask the taste of worming medicine (in case you were wondering, they prefer grape, not orange).

In short, pig keeping is a lot like other type of animal husbandry. It takes time, patience, and a REALLY good sense of humor.

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