Small Hog Operation Walk Through

[@selectbrands]

This is the kind of neighbor you want to have. I have great neighbors, they call when a LSG dog gets out --- in fact, they feed them and invite them in their homes, so they might actually be the reason my dogs keep going over there... we trade goods and services, help each out, etc. but, I sure wish I had a guy like him nearby. I feel like you'd learn a lot from him and also get to hear some great stories. Men like him that speak plainly and frankly can save you so many headaches and money if you're a farmer.

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

@@selectbrands that's why we started this channel, everyone doesn't a source of knowledge close by .

[@timpeaden3203]

Chris it was nice talking yesterday thanks for time buddy!!

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

Any time!

[@KaleidoscopeJunkie]

And sturdy fences mean you're better protected if the electricity goes down. 👍 Always good to see y'all put up a video. -KJ

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

@@KaleidoscopeJunkie absolutely, should have added that .

[@Moorefarmalls]

I tell ya. If wasn’t for you I wouldn’t have started this pig thing simple as that. You have went above and beyond to help me get started with this. Sorry for worrying the piss out you the past 2 weeks on all the questions 😂 I almost feel responsible for this video 😂. I know from listening to your pen sizes mine are gone be too small but I’m gone work with what I got until I can do better. Thanks for all the help ❤

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

@@Moorefarmalls you're not worrying me a bit , there's ten people I'm talking through building their setup. Those pens you built are fine , just build some bigger ones later

[@Moorefarmalls]

@@HomesteadingtheHardWay yes sir. Can’t say thanks enough. I’m gone keep building every chance I get

[@brandonwiggins9778]

Great video as always Mr. Chris! My boy said you need to sell him that spotted gilt 😂

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

@@brandonwiggins9778 I've got to keep that one , but I'll have more

[@Jim-jg3wf]

Thank you both for doing these videos. I doubt i will ever raise hogs, but I love to LEARN. Very interesting. Found your channel a few weeks ago by looking for info on my MF35 tractor.

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

@@Jim-jg3wf this knowledge is getting a little scarce , never know it might come in handy one day

[@ian5780]

You might need to raise your own food soon

[@Drycreekoutdoors]

Where you at we need more videos brother! Hope your health and family is well! I enjoy watching your videos and learning ideas and such!

[@geekygardens]

You've built up a nice setup! Though I will never be doing this kind of operation, it is good to see what is working for you.

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

@@geekygardens thank you geeky , sure wish you could find time to stop by on your way home .

[@OLDBD1]

Thanks for all you do Chris , I have learned a lot from you.

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

@@OLDBD1 always glad to help

[@MrSpinnerbug]

Chris, your knowledge is so valuable so good. I think you’ve got a nice operation and tell your wife she’s good with the camera not shy at all.😊

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

@@MrSpinnerbug I think she does a great job especially since it's just her phone . You know how it is, some folks critic these videos like we have a film and production crew .

[@Rockyridgeheritagehogs]

Look at all those beautiful babies ❤

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

@@Rockyridgeheritagehogs the last two boars we got from y'all are the daddy's

[@Rockyridgeheritagehogs]

@HomesteadingtheHardWay they are beautiful for sure I'm glad they are doing so good and can't wait to see what the others can do as well

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

@@Rockyridgeheritagehogs I'm very impressed so far , crossed to my older sows they are throwing as good of pigs as I've seen . That temperament the red and white boar throws is something special, makes some easy to handle pigs .

[@Rockyridgeheritagehogs]

@@HomesteadingtheHardWay absolutely ❤️

[@MarkWYoung-ky4uc]

Great video Chris and some great looking pigs! That's a good looking field of tobacco in the background.

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

@@MarkWYoung-ky4uc it was planted late and missed part of the drought. It's some of the best looking around

[@hl8256]

Thanks for the help Mr. Chris

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

@@hl8256 always glad to help

[@AlleyCat-1]

Informative video, especially pen sizes. We need to redo ours, maybe in a new location. But they are smaller then at our old place. I'm going to go find the video for the cage thing you mentioned. It might be useful to get them in a trailer with space under it.

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

@@AlleyCat-1 it's definitely more convenient than backing the tires into holes . The wheels made it a lot easier to use

[@lisanowakow3688]

I can’t always leave a comment if it makes you feel any better? So good to see you and hear Darlene!

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

@@lisanowakow3688 right now they're showing up fine , just curious what the deal is

[@titanstreehouse4555]

Been watching yall a while always like your videos

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

@@titanstreehouse4555 glad to hear that

[@jvin248]

Looks like a good tobacco(?) field behind the pens. I've tried growing tobacco just to see if it's possible here, but I'm a bit too far north.

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

@@jvin248 that's some of the best looking around, it was planted a little late and missed part of the drought

[@bastianpate-uc5hd]

Where I live tobacco grows wild because pf our tropical climate but people don't even roll their tobacco no more, we just buy cigarettes at the store.

[@preppedforeternityhomestea2848]

Your place is looking great

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

@@preppedforeternityhomestea2848 thank you

[@tikimandude112]

Great content. Thank you!!!

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

@@tikimandude112 always glad to help

[@preppedforeternityhomestea2848]

Miss you guys man pop us a live one Friday miss it

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

@@preppedforeternityhomestea2848 they're hard to do now days , I can't talk that long . I'm going to try a short one next week

[@bobe.johnson5586]

God Bless ya’ll

[@danwrightfarms1135]

I always enjoy your videos! How many square feet do you need per feeder pig? Thanks!

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

@@danwrightfarms1135 that's a tough one , feeders don't take up much space. I've kept twenty five in that topping pen and they had plenty of room but fifteen tops is a load .

[@Jbutler36]

Great video Chris!

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

@@Jbutler36 thank you

[@jeffbemberton]

Do you use all hog panels or is there a fence type

[@mpccenturion]

Thank YOU SIR!

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

@@mpccenturion glad to help

[@oklahomesteader]

Good stuff Chris, thank you!

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

Any time!

[@Jits.kid420]

We just got our first pigs from a guy for free. A sow and 3 piglets. They're not quite weened yet. I've built a pen with hog panels and tee posts. Ran a strand of barbed wire on the bottom to prevent rooting. Put some ply wood down for a feeding area till I can pour a slab. My main question is, what can I do about the mom? She's not very thrifty. The owner only fed them corn and I'm pretty sure he hasn't done anything else. The piglets look really good and thick around the neck and shoulders. I've given her some supplement and minerals and she gobbled it up like crazy. I'm also wondering about feed too because he kept her in with two big boars the whole time so I'm thinking she never got enough feed in the first place. Any tips on helping her get up to normal weight etc would be greatly appreciated. Note: the piglets are going to be for meat and I'm keeping the mom for breeding stock. Side note: do you think pigs will milk off their back like cows do sometimes as well? And if that's the case, what can I give her to help?

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

@@Jits.kid420 you need to wean the pigs around eight weeks and worm everything. The sow should build back up fairly quick on six lbs of 16% protein feed a day you can also supplement her feed with a little corn and scraps , bread etc . I'm sure she's half starved nursing pigs and competing with two boars . A little calcium would help as well

[@Jits.kid420]

@@HomesteadingtheHardWay thanks!

[@troymattox2417]

Gotta feed question. I've been putting pig feed, corn, soy, allstock, sweet feed, some extra minerals & just started putting in 20% cattle cubes All in a 50 gallon drum. Then I soak it all until it's a mash. This is what I am and have been feeding different pigs for around 2 years. I just wanted to see if you had any thoughts on this. I was raising the smaller fad pigs but then got some sense and am now raising Lg Black & Berkshire and will get some Duroc mixed in soon. It hasn't seemed to hurt any of the pigs and it does get them too grow but maybe not as fast as usual BUT these large breeds are new to me. I only do one barrel at a time so nothing is getting nasty, moldy or really fermenting. I'm going to send this to Raised Homesteading too but wanted to know your thoughts. Thank you

[@kevinhanel7440]

We took wire panels and bowed them framed with sucker rod. We put them on corners so the hog couldn't put their head in the corner

[@dfgyuhdd]

Chris do you intentionally try to avoid sows coming due in the coldest and hottest days of the year?

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

@@dfgyuhdd not really, I just use fans in the summer and heat lamps in the winter. I did lose a litter in the bad cold snap in January but that was very unusual

[@tigerace6542]

I love your videos. I’m getting ready to retire out of the military and I’m wanting to do some small pig farming on the side. Nothing big, do you have any tips and must haves when you start out raising livestock?

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

@@tigerace6542 start with decent stock , build good pens and start small and build as you see if it's working out . Be careful with information from the internet especially face book

[@tigerace6542]

Thank you

[@MrSpinnerbug]

Chris, I do have a question. How often do you have to clean the various pens out for the pigs they look real nice and clean. I just wondered how often you do it and I know you said you use sand in the summer. What do you use in the winter And again do the pigs kind of use all their put all their waste in one section of the pen over and over.?

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

I never clean them . We lime every other month and till the areas they poop in once a year . If your feed is highly digestible it cuts the waste way down and it just dissolves when it rains .

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

Yes they tend to use one spot

[@hrdrockfarm8948]

I see the local grocery store had some more solo cups stocked.

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

@@hrdrockfarm8948 dollar general lol

[@OldPecanHomestead]

I like your operation my oldest son like raising pigs, we will be taking some pointers.

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

@@OldPecanHomestead always glad to help if you have any questions

[@stevehoover16]

Awesome video thank you

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

@@stevehoover16 glad to help

[@oldnorthstateoutdoors2002]

Thats a nice setup brother. Just so you know your comments are showing up on this one.

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

@@oldnorthstateoutdoors2002 I don't know what the deal is , the last video they still won't stay up

[@greenboyatgafarms2250]

We raise Berkshire duroc hampshire cross. Great meat hogs but people can't understand why i charge what i do for them. Its work for sure.

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

@@greenboyatgafarms2250 I deal with that every day . With everything from feeder pigs to watermelons . If farmers could ever learn to collaborate we might could fix some of that , we're the only business that can't set its own prices .

[@greenboyatgafarms2250]

@@HomesteadingtheHardWay Exactly.👍

[@folgeradam6966]

When you move your boat to sows, how long do you leave them together to do his job?

[@folgeradam6966]

Boar

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

@@folgeradam6966 three days or so , until they go out of heat .

[@BTech5]

Thanks

[@jvin248]

Always like homesteading the hard way. One solution for 'shaky camera' is a bigger stabilizer like this $10 one kzbin.info/www/bejne/f6bcnpyPZ8R4n5o might be free if you've got the farmer stash of old parts.

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

@@jvin248 I might check that out

[@CloudWalker33]

I know you say it somewhere, but roughly how many lbs of feed for 1lb of pork? 3 or 4?

[@CloudWalker33]

Disregard this comment, I found the answer in your other video "cost of raising feeder pigs" 😅

[@CloudWalker33]

For anyone curious the answer is 3-3.5 lbs feed for roughly 1lb of pork with a good pig.

[@jeffbemberton]

Is it all hog panel fencing or something else

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

@@jeffbemberton parts panels parts hog wire

[@FbillGates]

Can you make a video addressing the show pig phenomena and how it has completely destroyed the integrity of the market hogs bloodline and industry? I'm in North Texas and everyone is obsessed with show pigs and selling AI stress positive or carriers piglets with PSE meat. Only meat hogs I can even find are Yorkshire white hogs. They will even market and AI pigs with show pigs genetics and sell them as meat pigs. The meat from showpigs is depleted and nasty. How can people find real meat pigs from various breeds that haven't been tampered with genetically?

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

@@FbillGates old line hogs are really scarce in some areas , you have to look for the build/type . That's one of the reasons we tell people to concentrate on type not breed because of the " show pig " genetics in most pure bred lines now . I talk about what type to look for in several videos

[@FbillGates]

@@HomesteadingtheHardWay they say 30-50% of stress carriers have PSE meat while stress positive have 70-90% PSE. These "Show Pigs" are negatively affecting hogs in general. I honestly don't understand show pigs and why

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

@@FbillGates they win shows , we cull anything with the stress gene . DNA testing has been a great tool trying to bring old type hogs back into existence

[@Jonathan-bf6nh]

Is that Water in that cup?

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

@@Jonathan-bf6nh lol no

[@Jonathan-bf6nh]

@@HomesteadingtheHardWay 🙄

[@richardburnett6972]

how do i go about getting some piglets from you?

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

@@richardburnett6972 email me [e-mail]

[@cliffbardo9205]

Got 20 duroc Hampshire mix now

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

@@cliffbardo9205 if you can get the ratio right they're hard to beat

[@cliffbardo9205]

@@HomesteadingtheHardWay thank you

[@JimHerman-o3q]

So the bigger question is ?????? Why dont you " ring " your hogs ??? Would prevent rooting and damaging the pastures / areas.......including the buildings ! Two ring per nose / hog would do wonders ! I hope you dont say its cruel ........because todays " youth "......nearly all have rings " somewhere " !!!!!

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

@@JimHerman-o3q the ones they make make now without the turn up don't work .

[@JimHerman-o3q]

@@HomesteadingtheHardWay You can find them at most farm stores ...... they work. Nothing has changed since back when I was a kid. Same brass rings !

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

@@JimHerman-o3q the old ones had a turn up . These now aren't worth the trouble

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

@@JimHerman-o3q those aren't real hog rings more for holding a seat cover on than anything else . Supposed to use one in the middle not ten around their snout

[@oldnorthstateoutdoors2002]

Everyone where I grew up in Virginia always used three and they were not what folks call hog rings now. If you run electric fence you really don't have to have them. A hog ain't got much else to do but root. I hate to take that away from them.

[@gwc3721]

Farrowing house dimensions?

[@HomesteadingtheHardWay]

@@gwc3721 8 by 8

[@Fukinguy]

This is the ideal father in-law. Weird that's where my brain went.😂 Great videos for beginners like me. Thanks