Are you having to feed your pigs grain very often since they have fresh grass? I am trying to get an idea of how much grain to get for a single pig if they free range.
Absolutely. They are like a meat chicken. You can put on pasture but their protein and calorie needs are way beyond what the pasture will provide. The pasture, for both chickens and pigs, does a few, very important things beyond nutrition: fresh air, exercise, freedom, sunshine along with some very good supplemental forage. Ultimately your pig will need 800lbs or so of a good quality feed to get to market weight.
Really great question and I am not sure I have an answer. I think it depends on what you feel your market wants and what you are passionate about. For example, if your market and your passion is all about beef it would take quite a bit of land. However, if you could grow a business around chicken I think on about ten acres or so you could raise 20k chickens. Obviously a lot goes into that. Also, I don’t think it takes that much land to raise a large amount of pastured pigs. Probably 20 acres or less to raise a large number. Now, with all that said, I don’t think land is really the right question. The right question is “do I have the ability to “market” my locally raised meat to enough people to make a living for a family of four. THAT is the harder question.
As usual Awesome video!
I always learn something.
Thank you!
Thank you!!
Love your content man keep it up
Thank you!
Yes the rulebreakers😃
There’s one in every bunch!
Are you having to feed your pigs grain very often since they have fresh grass? I am trying to get an idea of how much grain to get for a single pig if they free range.
Absolutely. They are like a meat chicken. You can put on pasture but their protein and calorie needs are way beyond what the pasture will provide. The pasture, for both chickens and pigs, does a few, very important things beyond nutrition: fresh air, exercise, freedom, sunshine along with some very good supplemental forage. Ultimately your pig will need 800lbs or so of a good quality feed to get to market weight.
This is very help! Thank you so much. I appreciate what you all are doing for your community. Keep up the good work.
How much land would you say is a minimum to make a living as a farmer with family of 4?
Really great question and I am not sure I have an answer. I think it depends on what you feel your market wants and what you are passionate about. For example, if your market and your passion is all about beef it would take quite a bit of land. However, if you could grow a business around chicken I think on about ten acres or so you could raise 20k chickens. Obviously a lot goes into that. Also, I don’t think it takes that much land to raise a large amount of pastured pigs. Probably 20 acres or less to raise a large number. Now, with all that said, I don’t think land is really the right question. The right question is “do I have the ability to “market” my locally raised meat to enough people to make a living for a family of four. THAT is the harder question.