How Frequently Should You Move Pastured Raised Pigs?

[@brucemars1937]

Hey! Thanx for your help. I have been doing a lot of research because we are getting a couple sows in the near future, and I've been looking for a guy who can actually articulate personal, calculated data. You're the guy! I learened more from you in less than 10 minutes, than the last several hours I have put in. Thanx again, and please keep it up!

[@DowdleFamilyFarms]

Glad I could help! Thats what I'm hoping to do.

[@briankubik5041]

Looking into your old videos trying to find pigs on Hairy Vetch I don't see anything in fact I don't see anything on KZbin at all about pigs on Hairy Vetch it's high in protein and is called the king of cover crop but can be invasive if not cared for (terminated) I figured pigs root up so they would do it for you and Hairy Vetch makes a lot of material. Found a video of chickens liking it but I don't have pigs yet and well I don't do KZbin either so you're a good candidate to make this video!!

[@DowdleFamilyFarms]

We planted vetch for the first time this year. It grows naturally in our pastures anyway. My plan is to figure out if there are reasons we don’t see pigs grazing it. I should have a couple series of videos on it in the next few weeks as it grows better.

[@paoemantega8793]

A very informative video on moving pigs, soil improvement and feed timing. Bless you! and thanks for sharing. Happy New Year to you and yours.

[@DowdleFamilyFarms]

Glad it helped. Thanks for watching and happy new year to you!

[@FrederikGies]

Following your channel from Belgium! Amazing content!

[@DowdleFamilyFarms]

Awesome! Thank you! Belgium? That's really neat.

[@FrederikGies]

@@DowdleFamilyFarms Yes sir! I have a small plot of land (1000m²) where I planned to raise meatchickens (as I have done in the past). Unfortunately the field is very uneven which makes mobile pens a hassle. Your videos are inspiring me to raise some pastured pigs!

[@notrixamoris3318]

Thank you!!! I get it know but cows and goats/sheeps would way better than pigs for grazing since it would be a less of a challenge. Also do you have swales in your land??? I think it would help rejuvenate your pasture faster...if you have a few "buggy" cows please make some swales I want to know if rumours are true.

[@DowdleFamilyFarms]

There are some terraces with slight swales but they don’t do much mostly. I suspect it’s much more effective in drier climates.

[@notrixamoris3318]

@@DowdleFamilyFarms I guess you need a canal or a better rain water irrigation system than a swales. Then again if you do not need it then why bother...

[@calebhoch2563]

Hi there! Relatively new to pigs (well farming/homesteading in general). We have one group of pigs (8 Meishan) and I move them periodically with electric net fencing. Right now, the areas they are in is not great quality with lots of small bushes, thorn plants with some native grass mixed in. So my question is, when do I plant the new seed? Should I throw the seed in with them once they have trampled all of the “less desirable” plants/weeds, or should I move them to a new area and come back after to put seed down? Can I just throw the seed down or do I need to get a no till drill? Sorry for all the questions, but any response is appreciated!

[@DowdleFamilyFarms]

It depends on the size of the seed you are planting. As long as the seed is not treated you can throw them out a day or so before moving the pigs. Keep in mind that the pigs will eat much of the seed, so plan on putting out more than usual, two or three times as much. Of course covering the seed up with a disk, tiller, rake, or no till drill is going to be a bit more effective in terms of germination.

[@ronlevin2339]

does pigs leave manure in a specific place on the pasture or all over the place ?? If you make some some cover where they can sleep , will the pee there as well ?

[@DowdleFamilyFarms]

It depends on the size of the field. Usually they go to the bathroom everywhere except where they sleep and eat if they have a large area. In small pens it’s often a select place.

[@KC-jq9kw]

I have never had my pasture look that horrible. I go out and keep mine cit to about 6-8 in high max so no weeds can spread seed. This and them rooting at a minimum has gotten the natural legumes growing, plus I planted some Landino clover. Stop trying to plant all this other stuff over and over and get the natural vegetation growing that should be there. That will grow much better in a healthy soil. Don't put round bales out there that are going to cover the ground and block the soil from the sun. If you do that have an area and keep it raked up in an area out of the whole pasture. If you make videos, know what you are talking about. You are giving advise, but your own grazing areas look horrible.

[@WheretheJones]

Regenerative farmers know that "weeds" are forage.

[@DowdleFamilyFarms]

I appreciate your response. First, where are you located? There are different approaches depending on one’s goals and particularly where one starts.

[@atangapaul1141]

I watch his videos and understand that he is in the temperate zone. I'm in the tropics sum 365 days rain 420. It's different looks horrible to you but zone does matter

[@DustyHoney]

This looks significantly better than any of the pastures at the horse barns I’ve worked at.