The Truth About Raising Pigs

[@dianeb5380]

I find you to be one of the most intelligent, practical, thoughtful people on KZbin among those living and practicing this lifestyle. I approve this message lol.

[@SSLFamilyDad]

lol, thanks!

[@kaycox5555]

Why controversy? Your opinions and experiences are yours, they're honest and upfront. Congrats on anticipated changes. Blessings.

[@lilbitatatime3763]

You say it like it is ~ we like that! Everyone must make the choice for what's best for their land/farm/homestead/family. Time to heal the land!

[@onedazinn998]

Loved the end clip of your pup having fun in the water :) Every farm is different & finding the right fit takes a while. I'd want to keep pigs in heavily wooded/brush area that needs cleared (and I'd move them around), but not in a shared pasture for sure. You guys will find the right fit :)

[@KC-jq9kw]

I love pigs. I have had them a good majority of my life. If you change your mind, for your farm I would suggest (IPP) Idaho Pasture Pigs. They have short upturned noses that prevent them from rooting very much. I also suggest cutting tusks so they aren't used as weapons. I am looking at Mulefoot, Red Wattles, or Glocestershire Old Spots. I also know what all to expect. I love your show, and I do get your views on pigs.

[@lizhaydon2250]

Trial and error is a great teacher. Good honest information.

[@gendeb9666]

I was raised on a working farm (I am in my 60s now). Dad was adamant that one never trust any intact male or any female with babies, no matter what their previous pattern. Plus the rumors of gangsters doing away with their victims by dropping their dead bodies in the Chicago hog lots because there would be no evidence left has always stuck with me. I was really nervous when you ended up in the hospital because I’ve followed you a long time and I was so worried about tetanus, if nothing else. I’m so glad you are mending well and are sharing your viewpoints. I’ve seen some scary things on you tube farm and homesteading channels ❤️

[@bramblesbriarsfarm7007]

Great information! Thank you for not romanticizing raising pigs. I love how honest you were about the dangers of raising them. They can be a great benefit to the homestead but you also need to be aware and remember they are not dogs. We are currently raising a wild pig that was given to us as a bottle piglet. While he acts like a puppy dog 99% of the time he will bite completely without reason or warning. I don't see any reason for controversy, you are doing what is best for you, your family and your homestead and that's all that matters! God bless! ❤

[@servihomestead4324]

I still can't believe that happened to you. I hope your leg is doing well. Thanks for the info. We just recently got our first bull calf, sheep, and goats, and I will not expand into pigs right now because of your honest info.

[@jimlashbrook5429]

Hog management at this level is nearly impossible as you have found out. If one wants to put his own pork in the freezer, find a good breeder in your area and buy two or three feeder pigs. Keep them in there own pen, bring them to slaughter and then have them processed. They don't have to be on pasture. Thanks for bringing your experiences to light. A lesson well learned.

[@SSLFamilyDad]

That is a good point however, if I cam going to just raise a bunc of pigs in a tiny pen and feed them a bunch of grain it is cheaper and less problematic for me to just go to the store and buy pork:) If I were to raise it that way I would be just doing it like everyone else and then not producing a better product than is already available. That is how I think of it anyway

[@jimlashbrook5429]

@@SSLFamilyDad Your thinking is very true but many people are concerned as to what is fed to that pig. In that case, feed it your self.

[@jillschlegel5129]

Good job sharing the challenges of raising pigs and not just the cute fun stuff. Keep it up and good luck ahead.

[@brushmountainhomestead2918]

Thanks for your honest opinion about raising pigs. It's easy to glamourize what it would be like from this side of the camera. So it's good to hear the truth from a God-fearing man that I feel we can trust. I doubt we will even attempt to raise pigs at this stage of the game. We wouldn't be able to get away like you did. Thanks again for sharing.

[@chrisoneillstitt]

Very interesting. Glad to see you recovered. My cousin raised pigs on her farm- what I remembered was the stench.

[@selador11]

Check out lumnah acres sometime. They generally buy a couple of piglets in the spring, put them in a limited corral, and harvest them in the fall. They have done over winter pigs just once. They are building a barn, so things might change. But just getting a couple cheap piglets in the spring, and raising them in a small area, for fall harvest... Has worked for them, so far.

[@SSLFamilyDad]

yeah, that is what most people do around here with a commercial breed of pig. For us, trying to raise animals sustainably I just can't see us doing that but who knows, maybe next year.....

[@danbreedchain2791]

Fellow former AGH breeder here... I think you make some great points about having the correct setup in place before. I think we all would love to see a video of you going over how you would setup a new pig system given your knowledge. Might help you in the future for when you get back into raising them and would help the rest of us avoid pitfalls and provide the best life for our pigs.

[@SSLFamilyDad]

Thanks, this is something I plan to do if I get back into pigs. That might happen next year it just depends on if I can get the pastures setup and if money allows.

[@tjjn06]

Good video and thought. We just took our last pigs in to the processor too. I absolutely love having pigs, but the ease of having pasture compatible animals is something most do not think of. We do not plan to get any more pigs soon either.

[@mypawfectfamily]

Would love to see a farm tour where you walk us through which animals you have and how you care for them. I’ve been following you on and off for years since you built the suburban chicken coop and I never knew you bred horses!

[@robertveronda4225]

True about them eating you! They are clean animals, hard on the land,, but man they taste so GOOD! Mine were half Guinea and Hampshire and castrated but got along with the goats and chickens. Not that I trusted them as they got larger with the goats but I put them up at night so they didn't get a chance to snack at midnight on goat! Definitely helps to be set up properly for the type of animal you want. I'm not there yet either! Good information on the breed and your experience with them. Thanks for being upfront and honest about the issues of why. Can't say I blame you for wanting a brake from the daily reminder of what almost could have been.

[@carolbuddie6487]

Good decision on your part. Might try raising a steer, or two, for meat. They are compatible with the goats and horses. Glad to see you are healing so well.

[@toykawilliams3273]

Silly dog! Was fun to watch running through the puddle!!

[@Pepper5655]

thnx for sharing, I so want to raise this breed for our own pork consumption. I free range my chickens but have a hog pen and a half acre I want to use for the pigs then turn it into a garden, do as Justin Rhodes does to prep the garden area with pigs and chickens then plant in it. nice video.

[@lisafeck1537]

About your pasture recovery. I have never farmed animals, or anything else. I have gardened for food, and flowers. But I have heard through my experience with the master gardener program in Ky, that cover crops, with plants you want to remain in the pasture, may be a good option. I have clover in my mind, but like I said no experience or expertise at all, and when I listened to these ideas I listened passively. So maybe someone else commenting, or your extension office, or some homesteading associates may have some actual good practical advice for your specific situation. God bless you, your family, and your work.

[@colleenrodamer6230]

Love the information it was great thanks n God bless y’all

[@dougfranco9995]

chickens,goats,cows ,guines ,working for me as one big family , thks about the pigs info I was thinking about adding ....maybe not now.

[@colleenpritchett6914]

Just an FYI, you can watch Bakers Green Acres for tons of info on pasture rotation with mangaliseta pigs. It's very informative

[@lelafayeandrews8913]

Thanks for being honest!

[@matthewjohnson3910]

Thanks for the advice todd

[@MrDave8539]

Good choice and at least you have a good story now. God bless

[@SeanFischer1]

Thank you so much for this. We talked about getting pigs a few times, I am against it do to the costs involved. After hearing your thoughts with children involved... no thank you, we have an autistic child that would have no problem getting in the pen. I think we’ll just stay with chickens for now.

[@PatrickWagz]

Those little piggies went to market. ;-)

[@jerrysalgat3406]

Great video. As with all animals there is danger of being hurt, be it on purpose or by accident. The bigger the animal the greater chance of serious injuries. Evan a rabbit or chicken can injure you and require a Doctors attention. Set ups for each need to be done before you get them with a lot of thought and investigation as to what they need. Hope you do good in the future. Keep up with your Sunday videos. Thank you. Jerry in Michigan.

[@oldgloryhomestead9752]

I'm just glad your ok! taking a break is a good idea as well. looking forward to seeing your new plan when your ready.

[@savinggracefarm3357]

We just got into AGH a few weeks ago. So far, i agree, they root... doesn't matter if on fresh pasture or given more than ample food. They root and seem to enjoy doing so. I don't think you will get much controversy, you expressed your experience. Nothing wrong with that at all -

[@enscribe]

Classic problem of not enough fence! You are leaving them in one place too long. I have guinea hogs on pasture. They need to be rotated every couple days and have a sacrifice area for winter. Food is their motivation so any interaction needs to use food as a distraction. My female hogs will absolutely roll over for belly rubs. Hogs are dangerous as are all large farm animals. Just wait until you get into those horses, pain will be familiar. Thanks for sharing your experiences.

[@SSLFamilyDad]

You are right about that. If I could start fresh I would setup 4 pastures at least to rotate them around, 8 would be ideal so I can keep a boar in a couple, a sow in a couple, and whatever I am raising for meat in the others

[@dixsigns1717]

Excellent video, a job well done again!

[@jchny00]

Love your dogs Zoomies time playing in the water! Totally agree, I did pigs a few years. More cons than pros for us and just too dangerous. When we learned we had a grandson on the way the pigs were sold/processed.

[@Bamaman14k]

I found the video very informative. You're giving your experiences with that particular breed of pig, on your farm. That's information that you have acquired yourself and that's what KZbin channels are for. You've got to go where the Lord leads you, for you and your family. I wouldn't worry about what anybody else thinks, or what anybody else says. And, if one of my pigs attacked me the way George attacked you, they would all be gone immediately, the only difference is I may have actually eaten George, probably for the wrong reasons. I understand the reason why you didn't. Thanks for the video I enjoy your videos and your Sunday videos also. Jimmy

[@theresathreadgill1386]

Thanks for info! This has been very informative. God Bless!

[@ubetchya78]

When you fall off the horse you need to get right back on... but if you were already considering phasing out the hogs then I guess now is a good time... IME hogs are not compatible with running in with other stock. We used to buy 10-12 weaner hogs twice a year to raise up. We got Duroc/'shire cross hogs, fast growing, huge carcasses. We had dedicated hog areas, one whole concrete floored side of the barn, and a hog pen with nice hog shed. The fence was built for hogs, and we ran elec along near the bottom to prevent rooting at the fence. We never handled the hogs alone once the grew over around 125#, and ours had eyeteeth removed, tails left intact, males were all neutered when we got them. No boars on our place, though we once had an outstanding sow we kept back and raised 2 litters from. Secure fencing and caution while handling is the key.

[@muddyacres9334]

Honestly, I was worrying about kids (and I don't mean goats). I'm sure you both were, too. I, too, have always heard how docile this breed was. And I believed it. Until George attacked you. I've considered feeders, but we now know someone who raises them and has done so for years. I'm more than happy to pay them and wind up with a freezer full. Win win.

[@jerrybaird2059]

My uncle had a hog farm where I spent summers. A 400 pound hog is indeed a dangerous animal that is quicker than a man, particularly in ankle deep mud. An INDISPENSABLE companion is a sheep dog mix. A big and ill tempered hog is terrified of a sheep dog no higher than your knee. And they do love to work. Our dog could move the hogs from a distance of twenty feet just by flashing his eyes. The hog would shiver and move.

[@joanneroper116]

Great job! Thanks for sharing...

[@salmonhunter7414]

Put them in a field before you till. Your pumpkin field. But then you need a portable fence. Maybe fence the bush in the future for the pigs.

[@SSLFamilyDad]

That is part of the area I was thinking if I get back into raising them

[@ExploringCabinsandMines]

Subscribed, nuff said.

[@grosseileracingteam]

The only pigs I've ever liked were wrapped in blankets.

[@BillTheTractorMan]

No offense intended but this is a result of uneducated folks jumping into something without talking to actual farmers. There is a big reason why farmers operate the way they do. Your ideas are genuine and good, but flawed. If you want to do pigs the way you say, then yes you have to take other things into account. I come from a farming point of view, and o would never get into a pen with a boar no matter how gentle without restraining him first. We would never get in with a sow and piglets either without restraining her as well. You learned some big lessons, and maybe breeding pigs is not the right choice for you. Many find it fulfilling and effective to just raise piglets until butcher. I'm glad you shared this, the homesteading movement does not show the effort and dangers of all animals like it should putting many new people at risk.

[@SSLFamilyDad]

No offence taken. The issue isn't talking with farmers though since I don't know anyone besides the breeder where I get these pigs that raises them sustainably or naturally. All farmers around here raise commercial breeds without tusks and they get them in spring and take them to slaughter in fall. What I was trying to do was something different here, raising a pig on mostly natural forage with little grains and in a more humane way. What I learned is that it is possible, but just not with how I have things setup here. Now that I know what I know I can build out the proper setup for just pigs away from my other animals and raise them properly and with less danger.

[@billfischer6464]

Didn't know that tusks were trimmed. I thought it was somehow bred out of domestic or none wild pigs. Always enjoy learning from your videos.

[@SSLFamilyDad]

most pigs have been bred to not have tusks, In this breed the males always have tusks after about 1 year

[@reneebrown5598]

Toss some sweet potatoes in there. They will love the the leaves and the tubers. If you want strictly grass eaters get kunakuna pigs. They are super docile and other than a wallow for cooling and bug protection.

[@GoatGoneCrazy]

Hey you should try a more docile breed called the kunekune I've raised kunes and they never root unless it's muddy and even then it's not that bad. They are just a super sweet pig and grow just as fast as a GH and they graze because that's what the pig was bred for so if you ever get into pigs again you should try them. #bestbreedever

[@SSLFamilyDad]

That's what they said about Guinea Hogs:) We thought about Kunekune as well and that might be an option down the road for sure

[@GoatGoneCrazy]

@@SSLFamilyDad ya the up right snout is great for grazing I've seen the yard damage a guinea hog can do and that's why I chose kunekune. My boar marshmallow was the sweetest pig ever and was never aggressive at all even with other males. Also I'm glad your feeling better and can't wait to see more of you great content.

[@MissLea922]

Wow great video lots of info I didnt know

[@homesteadandhustle6921]

Great honest discussion. As a pig owner it really did get me thinking. Loved the video. Do you think you may try sheep as a protein source in the future?

[@SSLFamilyDad]

I really would like to, I am researching some breeds throughout this summer

[@homesteadandhustle6921]

SSLFamilyDad wry interesting. We are doing the same, researching dorpers right now. We’ll be watching👍

[@Squick99]

@@SSLFamilyDad I'm less than 100 miles from you and I'd love to hear what you find out about sheep in a future video! Our area obviously gets a pretty perfect amount of rain for great pastures except for sometimes in the middle of summer. I'm highly considering sheep next year too! Make some use out of the acres of useless grass I have!

[@granmabern5283]

SSLFamilyDad what about geese? They graze, give eggs, and can give down. Between your goats and some geese and chickens, you would have plenty of meat for your small family.

[@KelliRaAnderson]

I am just glad you are okay! I just have a question about processing the pigs. Have you visited the site where they are processed and know how it is done? I don't have a problem with eating meat--I love pork. But without much oversight (honestly, very little) best practices can become lax. I love Temple Grandin's work in helping the industry with processing beef but she's admitted that it's really up to the manager of each place to be ethical enough to do it right and so many do it poorly. I'm trying to find out how to best evaluate a processing facility so my own animals are treated well and without fear. Any tips?

[@pedroteixeira1980]

Cant help observe the ironi off u buying a tiller and getting rid off the pigs! Good luck on the farm!

[@ServiceTrek]

totally appreciate your decision, i'd like to hear your plan for pigs 2.0 (in more detail) now that you've had the experience. i've been thinking of raising some in the forest, all harwoods with medium density underbrush, and kind of move them through 15 acres over time. would/could they damage the forest too much? how much room would you suggest and often should you move them to a new area?

[@bradbusch9585]

Great dog!

[@MountainCrestFarm]

The FIRST mistake...besides breed...was in getting a breeding PAIR. The economics of raising pigs demands at least 3-4 sows for a boar. Otherwise you would be far better to buy one or two feeder piglets a year to raise for your freezer. There is more, but that's enough.

[@SSLFamilyDad]

Unless they are registered as these are and sell for $200 each:)

[@MountainCrestFarm]

@@SSLFamilyDad You did right getting out of the pig business.

[@HoneyHollowHomestead]

I am very glad you made this video. I see too many people getting into various livestock without fully understanding the possible dangers they pose. Most of those dangers can be dealt with, but you have to be aware of the possible dangers in the first place so you are prepared for that sort of contingency. For me, with my land, I don't believe that pigs would be a good fit. I came to that conclusion before your video. But I also already understood the danger associated with pigs prior to this as well.

[@jerrybaird2059]

Pigs and pasture do not go together. We kept ours in a corral of ankle deep mud, and fed them “slops” (a mix of silage, rough corn, and stuff). They’re not particular. But watch out!

[@Submanca]

I say go for sheep or rabbits. Although the ram can be problematic with butting with sheep. You already have some experience with rabbits.

[@ExploringCabinsandMines]

A Ram will knock u into next week, no joke, we have 50 of them.

[@kotomszczanka]

@@ExploringCabinsandMines Especially if you bottle feed him, or play with and pet him as small lamb.

[@jakes.1199]

I wouldnt have them on my farm tearing the place up either. Some people are exceptionally good at raising pork. So good in fact it really cheap to buy pork from them. Let those folks raise them and i'll buy the pork from them. I love bacon! : )

[@dudeabides23]

I'll quit complaining about my desk job and appreciate more the bacon I get at the store

[@nephimitchell]

I've been watching Justin Rhoades with his pigs and I'm wondering if that's a different bread, pastured differently or both.

[@oldtimeengineer26]

time to put a road bed in to the loading unloading area

[@kathrinekerns8398]

Maybe a wise choice for you. I always knew that pigs had a dangerous side to then. My father would get 3 weiner pigs in the spring and would butcher them in the fall. Never had a full grown boar. Sorry George charged you. I can totally understand why they are difficult.

[@Becky20]

Gee, glad I never knew how dangerous pigs were when I was a child. I remember being in a pig pen for pics. I remember the pigs were trying to eat the bows of my shorts. I was glad to get out of the pen.

[@barnieb1961]

So what about raising only one or two for processing? Best meat in my book!

[@stevebuller7980]

Have you ever looked into raising water buffalo.

[@farminwithfelons1117]

@sslf this is not a comment but rather a question, do you have any advise on raising farm animals and selling them online for profit? Ive been on this farm for a year now and having a hard time finding serious buyers. Your advise is really appreciated.

[@SSLFamilyDad]

We just use Facebook marketplace and craigslist normally. But sometimes it depends on time of year and what your selling. Sometimes we have trouble selling and sometimes they all sell in a week

[@Steve-ps6qw]

I was scared senseless as a child on a pig farm in Germany...I swear they wanted to eat me and the farmer told our mom to make sure we stayed clear of them (they were penned in a barn). If you want to dispose of a body, I hear pigs can take care of that for you in a few days....Im not a fan of pigs, I like bacon but that's it.

[@tinahagen6660]

True that. There was a serial killer pig farmer who disposed of dozens of victims exactly this way. Robert Pickton in Vancouver area is now rotting behind bars.

[@lechatbotte.]

I love sheep. The ram is naughty when they are in estrus. You can use a face hood that narrows his view. I had four different rams only two gave me problems. I love lamb. What people told you goes against how God designed them. Rooting is a natural behavior. Justin Rhodes raises pigs in his forested area to get them to tear it up. Boars, bulls, rams males with testicals are always untrustworthy. Welcome to the farm life. I would’ve loved to help you avoid this but like all newbies you have to test the waters yourself.

[@duncansh81]

2 months is a long time in one spot for a pig, even if it's large. That's my opinion and experience, at least.

[@andrewsarles3520]

No male animal is docile! I've been around farm animals my whole life,never turn your back on a farm animal thinking they respect your space!

[@topsecretbear9918]

In hindsight, removing tusk may have been a good idea.

[@SSLFamilyDad]

Even with the tusks removed he would have bitten and ripped a good chunk of my leg either way but yeah, no tusks are great but if I were to do that I would just raise a breed without tusks

[@bassdee10]

I see the dog is happy you got rid of the pigs to lol.

[@lorineidtinytoadplot744]

I'd like to get pigs, what I mean buy that is 2 pigs ether both female or both male raise them till they are about 100 to 150 lb then butcher them . I'm not interested in dealing with a 500 lb pig lol

[@ce1581]

A pig bent a metal clad door in half into my neighbor's home. Because his dinner was late. Raised from a baby. Mafia used hog farms for reason. Hormones in big critters, yikes.

[@yewwtooob]

Love your videos, brother. What was your MOS? I am Army retired. LOVE your scripture at end of your videos........however, accourding to the old Testament ( GOD), if an animal mauls or kills, it is to be killed and NOT eaten. Pigs are very smart, but very aggressive.

[@JamesCouch777]

Most of the time if you just want meat it is better to get a weaning size animal, raise it the way you want and then butcher it. Any time you get into breeding and having babies you are getting into complications, housing and fencing requirements that most folks don't have the room or time for.

[@dirkbeasley2852]

if you want to use the pasture for goats pigs and horses, then why put the pigs in first. i would do the goats and horses first and then do the pigs last. that way they will turn all the droppings left by the others and put it in the soil ready for next year

[@giovannibazzini1403]

Do you think you could have pulled the trailer out easier with your tractor

[@SSLFamilyDad]

I doubt the tractor would have even made it back there it is so heavy it just sinks in even with those big tires

[@sweetlovetiger]

I will say they can be dangerous and more likely being around other males even those it was his just was the stepping stone for going after anything and the bad part was it was you he went after but if you think about it people get mad about something they can take it out on others just wanted to point it out. there is a lot of breeds of pigs some seem to eat everything even tree bark so I would say do your home work on them some animals of the same type some have different type of diet some would eat a little of everything and some eat just berries, grass, and other type of plants just wanted to point that out. If you want to raise pigs some other time I would drew up a map and keep males away from each other for sure but also make sure there not to close to the females because they have way to breed through a small hole in the fence so you mite have a surprise without wanting it lol

[@chevy6299]

Sheep? I enjoy a good ham but I see your point on pigs.

[@SSLFamilyDad]

Maybe sheep:)

[@mollyd8062]

Smart move. Consider a steer or two for meat. They eat grass and don't root!

[@shorttallvlogs5796]

Cows ?

[@casid9929]

Like your idea about trying to raise them in a more natural state. If you feed slop to pigs, do you really want to eat them? Is slop just discarded food or rotted food?

[@rochrich1223]

Rings.

[@tristanculpepper5627]

Ya need a dairy cow

[@101jumpit]

Why say," Processed and not just Saughtered ? :(

[@tarantulady8565]

Because processing is BOTH slaughtering (killing, dressing, skin removal, getting it ready for butchering) and butchering (cutting it up, smoking/brining, and making sausage). You’re processing the pig, not just slaughtering it. Very different.

[@TheBurrito171]

Pigs are aggressive, highly destructive animals with terrible personalities. I worked with a ton of animals, including many "pet" pigs, and none of them are what I would consider to be suitable pets. They have like 3 months of being tolerable, and then they go from grumpy jerks at best to killers at worst. Dangerous. Big ole feral boars will kill horses for fun. There's so much pig positive propaganda that paints them as cute, sweet, loving, dog-like house pets. No. They're just food. That's all they will ever see us as too.

[@williambell8875]

it will be alot different with no pigs around

[@greensnapper1602]

You should go Watch a You Tuber named Justin Rhodes who lives with Family on his Homestead with Pigs and Chickens and rotates his livestock from field to field like you are talking about. Its like a No Till farming homestead. They live of the land like 100% !! Go check him out think you will like to watch what they do he has about 500k Subs its a Very nice Channel... Now he is at Joel Salatin's Farm a Pig Farm that uses the Pigs & Cows to pretty much No Tills the Land on their own using Wood Chips & Corn.. Its very,very interesting!! Thank You and hope you will Check these people out, Leave me back a Comment please after you go enjoy some of their videos

[@SSLFamilyDad]

oh yes, I have watched a lot of both of their stuff. They have a great channel although I feel that Justin has become a bit more "make popular KZbin videos" Over actual real homesteading or farming but I agree with much of what he does, he also lives in a completely different environment that we do here with warm weather year round compared to Michigan.

[@argentumtaibhsear621]

I've always wondered how Christians justify pork. The Jews and Muslim (other two groups of followers of your god) refuse to eat pork (at least in theory, religious convictions are often weak in the presence of bacon).

[@SSLFamilyDad]

lol, this is a very commonly asked question when I talk about raising pigs. There is a long and a short answer here but the short is that the bible is very clear that what you eat has nothing to do with your salvation or your relationship with God. There was a time when "The Law" was written for the Israelites where those specific rules needed to be followed and sacrifice needed to be made to make each person "clean" before a righteous God. However, Jesus came and paid the ultimate and final sacrifice so that we no longer live under The Law but instead under His saving grace and His death on the cross. If you eat pork, great, if you don't eat pork, great, it has nothing to do with your salvation.

[@suzanneleblanc1077]

I think you don't need to eat meat for protein, gorillas don't eat meat, you can also get them from nuts and seeds and beans and lentils

[@andreafalconiero9089]

I think you are delusional. First of all, gorillas just like chimpanzees *do* hunt and kill animals like monkeys and duikers -- those foods are a natural part of their diets _because_ they too require animal protein. Additionally, they eat plenty of insects like termites (using tools to do it) and other small animals while foraging to provide themselves with essential nutrients. Both these species live in jungles and satisfy most of their daily energy requirements by colonic fermentation of leaves, stems, and fibrous fruit -- this gets converted into fat (short-chain fatty acids, such as butyrate) by bacteria in the hindgut. Since this is a diet with very low nutrient-density, they spend practically their entire waking lives eating -- chewing and digesting food -- and they have the necessary digestive apparatus to make use of this low-grade forage: large, broad molars and powerful jaw muscles, as well as a functional caecum and a huge colon. Humans on the other hand have none of this. As a carnivorous species that has been evolving _away_ from this type of diet for the past 3 million years, we have lost all of these attributes and can now only derive about 5% of our daily energy requirements by colonic fermentation of fibre. Unlike gorillas, humans are an apex predator that is highly adapted to eating a nutrient-dense diet composed mostly (if not exclusively) of fat and protein-rich _meat,_ not plants. You risk your health if you ignore this basic fact.

[@Mavrck-it2kq]

Pigs forage as well as you have forage for them (if you have an apple orchard or nut bearing trees they'll eat it. pigs are not ruminants). All pigs root. Pigs on pasture works just understand their high traffic areas will get torn up (just like trails you pick through the woods). Given enough space only high traffic areas get torn up. When I put pigs on pasture in spring and process in winter the pasture comes back the next spring. Who told you you can trust your kids around a pig? Who would put their 50 lb child in a pen with an animal that's hundreds of lbs. Unless you have a large operation don't keep a boar. The feed cost isn't worth the return. If you want to do it sustainably keep a couple sows and use artificial insemination. Sounds like you also kept multiple boars when you should have been castrating. You say you're not bashing pigs but what you sound like is someone who is a little butt hurt. You trusted an animal you shouldn't have (because you were petting your pork chop), he got a lucky shot and now you're whining about it. Also stay away from guinea hogs. They take too long to get to the processor you're raising meat not pets. Oh and what the old testament says about pork is as relevant as what it says about slavery or about women (it isn't relevant). Contextually the concern was parasites like trichinosis which we know how to deal with. If you want real info on raising pigs on pasture the right way there are other KZbinrs that do a better job.

[@fhagerber4079]

Chicken

[@jock364]

I would value a discussion or sermon on Leviticus 11:7, "And the pig, though it has a divided hoof, does not chew the cud; it is unclean for you."

[@thecynic807]

Moooooow

[@jamespimental6919]

If you believed the bible you would already know we're not supposed to eat pigs

[@WMBargs]

Raise a Heifer

[@dantco]

Uh...and live without BBQ ribs??? NO! I won't eat it if I can't raise it. The Bible? Don't fall into Peter's dilemma (Acts 10:11-15).

[@SSLFamilyDad]

Oh I would t live without bacon, don't worry. And with these three I should have a good stockpile of pork for awhile