$325 Pig Pen for Grass-Fed Pork

A cost breakdown of where and how I raise piglets.
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NOTES:
Raising livestock can be great whether you are farming full time or homesteading. We get piglets from another farm who has a sow, and we raise those feeder pigs in our system.
Today's video is all about the pig pen we start them in.

[@AJ-ox8xy]

You are living the dream. Not many people can get into this business and actually turn a nice profit while doing what they love, which is feeding people.

[@jeremyc9641]

I really appreciate your transparency and your well planned videos. Thank you for making it easier for the next guy!

[@farmmarketing]

Thanks Jeremy. I'm trying. It's quite the balance for sure. My hope is that my experiences, good or bad, help the next person shorten the learning curve.

[@torigoldstein6841]

Nice back yard setup simple and cheap yet it works.

[@onedazinn998]

John I love your little videos which are always packed full of information and brief...lovvvve them :) You are the perfect business man meets farmer to present them with real tips and humor - thanks so much! Blessings to this years harvest for your farm & family.

[@mdspider]

Thank you so much. I found you when researching hops! BONUS!

[@elBorrachoGuapo]

Where it's not too inconvenient, maximize area to fencing cost by using round shapes. Hexagon gives 30% more area than the 6 panel rectangle set up. Or get an 80% increase with just one additional panel if you want a larger litter. No need for geometry; round-ish should be good enough.

[@MissysandJasonCountryRoad]

John I love your videos usually I don't reply. Most what I do with my pigs is because of your videos and they have helped me tremendously Thank you

[@GoldShawFarm]

Great video. I really like the pigloo idea. I had an ancient plastic sisters that has a crack in it. I might try to do something similar.

[@farmmarketing]

They have worked out really well for us.

[@amykinnell2837]

Really enjoy the new video format. Lots of helpful information but also fun pig shots! Oh, and fun music too!

[@nutritionprepperssister4865]

I think you meant to say that the cost of the t-posts is $51.48 and when you add the 6, $30 panels, the total cost of construction (less labor) is 231.48?

[@farmmarketing]

You know, I always have to miss something. Darn it!

[@nutritionprepperssister4865]

It's totally okay. Just happen to be an accountant so it jumped out at me. lol Great video and information.

[@farmmarketing]

I see how it jumps out immediately now. Amazing how you spend so much time on something and it slips through the cracks. I will try to do better in the future.

[@littlewhitedory1]

Nutrition Prepper's Sister Same here! Who says accountancy isn't fun!

[@brettkienle]

Haha math ain't mathing 😂😂

[@FamilyManMoving]

I raised hogs a few years and thought I was good, right up until a dozen 300 pound Berkshire hogs decided to bust out and explore the world. That was a hoot (not). Save yourself some work and set up some electric fence inside that pen. Or don't. A farmer told me that a hog snout is a crowbar attached to mini pile drivers, and that is no joke. A panel fence is just a suggestion for a large hog. Shocking the snout is the best way to keep them safe. It is cheap insurance. Good luck. Pigs are fun and rewarding.

[@3kidsohmy]

Love the feeder, I'm definitely making it

[@Thomas-wn7cl]

Amazing how much prices have gone up.

[@KristenAliciaC25Art]

Good job on the videos! Ive been following for a while and your videographer skills are rapidly growing. As well as planning and editing! I hope you are getting some paid sponsers! If not, they should come knocking soon.

[@farmmarketing]

Thank you so much for the kind words Kristen! I'm doing my best. I probably could put a weeks' worth of editing into each video, but I have to hit publish eventually. I'm not big on paid sponsors. That's why I wrote a couple books and I sell things through my store. If people want to support they can buy something from my store, or just like and share my videos. I want to keep my experiences 100% open and honest and I think that is the best way.

[@neilmoffett9635]

How big are the piglets when you get them? Do you really need heat lamps? We get weaners when they are about 20 pounds and I haven't found they need heat at night here in Oregon in March. Just good shelter in the field with lots of straw in the shelter and sheltered from the wind. And as much food and water as they want.

[@shaunsmuder1637]

Hog panels at $30 a piece equals $180 Plus tax then 12 post at $5 a peace is $60 plus tax that's minimum $250 just for the fence that's without a gate.

[@hart796]

Great work John!!! Have a great year!!!

[@farmmarketing]

Roger that! Sorry, I'm a nerd.

[@huntready1435]

We're dabbling in pigs this year too. But only starting with 2!

[@farmmarketing]

Hey, 2 is a good start, and plenty to eat all your table scraps. 2 or 20, it's kind of the same. Keep posting comments and let me know how it goes.

[@huntready1435]

Will do! We went with Birkshire pigs. On pasture too

[@michaellohre1470]

I started with two as well, three years ago, heritage breeds AGH then mixed in a Berkshire boar. I have 32 now so my advice is stay small and only breed as much as you can handle. All this fencing, housing, straw, electricity quickly adds up. My feed bill every month in winter when I can't pasture is $800. We are right at the limit of what we can feed each month without going into borrowing money to pay for all the livestock. My advice for whatever it is worth is stay out of debt and stay small and enjoy what you are doing! God bless.

[@Blessedfamilymama]

I have a question, will I need more protection for the piglets from predators? We live in south Florida and have coyotes in our area. We are researching raising some piglets for the first time and to clarify - we've never had pigs so I hope my question doesn't come off as stupid.

[@tengyang85]

Thanks for this video.. helps me a lot.. but with such a small place for them to roam around how do they have enough grass to eat?

[@candicechristensen1753]

Yes the videos are looking great!

[@EdwardRSauer]

I like the new videos, looks like 3D.

[@mosesgordonyatu1677]

how long does it take for these pigs to be fully grown?

[@andrewe6272]

Times all prices by almost 3 in Canada

[@MominMesquite]

Where can you find hog panels for $30?

[@CurtisWestsail]

You never costed the hog panels. 6x $30 $180.00

[@farmmarketing]

I know Curtis! Those are always the worst moments, after hitting publish and realizing you left a part out. The beautiful thing is everyone sees it, which means you're paying attention. I am human, and humans screw up. I take it as a compliment that people are pointing it out. I will try to do better next time.

[@growingforbroke1072]

John Suscovich Indeed. We all make mistakes :) No easy task doing all this and making great content to boot. It’s been a real pleasure to watch this channel and your farm grow. Keep on keeping on !!

[@sophiaroboticsrobotsmappin6690]

Thank You keep up the good work

[@traceyosterlind14]

There's nuthin cuter than a pile of piglets! Thanks for doing that voodoo that you do, John.

[@farmmarketing]

No problem Tracey!

[@Varma_vlogs31]

Very nice sir i am India

[@randyfontaine2627]

How many pigs are you raising in this area? For how long??

[@shanerasmussen6207]

Nice job John...

[@farmmarketing]

Thanks Shane!

[@Veemack21]

Thank you!

[@farmmarketing]

You're welcome Vee!

[@alvexok5523]

I like that, pigloos, igloos for pigs

[@fatladyfarmer2025]

Awesome video. Thanks!

[@farmmarketing]

No problem. I hope it helped.

[@jaredjared1]

What region are you in?

[@littlewhitedory1]

So, what's your labor rate? That's where so much economic theory breaks down? If your labor is low enough Im going to just hire you to take care of my projects! Are you worth $50, $100, $200 per hour? So, with that said you can't "meh" the labor cost! Still the point is made, initial costs vs. operating costs are laid out well here. Good job!

[@farmmarketing]

You're spot on my friend. Fun fact, I am worth $1,000,000 and hour. That's how I bought such a nice camera, haha. More labor cost discussions coming this season.

[@littlewhitedory1]

John Suscovich That's about what I thought! So, that makes the pig pen cost how much! ;-)

[@conservativeriot5939]

Add up all the stuff you didn't count and probably double the price.

[@mr.skeptical3071]

Where are u getting hay for $2.50 a bale??? It's $11 per bale here!!

[@farmmarketing]

It’s a dated video. Gone are the days of $2.50/bale of hay. We’re not up to $11, but it’s around $8 now.

[@on4acres]

You can tell this video is old as soon as you see a 2x6 costing $8!

[@hotintheshadehomestead301]

How do you get 51 bucks from 6x $30 panels? 😂

[@farmmarketing]

By being an imperfect humanoid and screwing up my video before I hit publish, haha. I guess I still have growing to do. Thanks for writing in. I hope you are willing to accept my imperfections. The beautiful thing is that you caught it, which means you're paying attention. Glad to have you along for the ride. ALWAYS feel free to point out my flaws, it means there's an opportunity for discussion.

[@hotintheshadehomestead301]

John Suscovich I was just teasing you a little. You do great work! Keep the videos coming 😊

[@farmmarketing]

For you, I shall continue. 😊

[@williamlattin]

$180 for the panels....

[@JEREMIELEE]

👍👌

[@craigpalmer7221]

Healthy pigs shouldn't be "grass fed". They're not ruminants. They've one stomach, same as humans. Eating grass didnt help the Irish during the famine.