Pigs: Full size vs Potbellies.........

[Kathy]

If a person was going to raise hogs for meat but was doing the work mostly alone; would potbelly pigs be a viable option?

I know there's a fellow over on HT; George K who raises potbellies and he swears by their temperment, hardiness and flavor.
But he's the only one I know(I've actually sold him geese)that raises them for meat

Any opinions or experiences you'd like to share. The only potbelly I ever raised was a pet that I'd gotten when he was 5 wks old.

[bergere]

Potbelly pigs have a lot more grease in the meat and they can grow up to a standard sized pig,, they just take longer.
In all honestly if I had a choice between what kind of pig I wanted to eat... I would eat the standard ones.


There are hardy standard sized pigs..just look for heritage breeds.

[Kathy]

Bergere, the last pigs I had were Tamworths which is a heritage breed I think. I have to say, maybe if they were raised on pasture they'd be ok but those buggers were the meanest three pigs I'd ever raised! I had to keep a cattle panel between me and them when I went out to fill their 'pig pond' because they had the nasty habit of trying to take a chunk out of my thigh!

I didn't know about the greasy nature of pot bellies. Well that takes them out of the running. I'll have to do some more research just in case I get the chance to raise my own pork again.

bergere said:

Potbelly pigs have a lot more grease in the meat and they can grow up to a standard sized pig,, they just take longer.
In all honestly if I had a choice between what kind of pig I wanted to eat... I would eat the standard ones.


There are hardy standard sized pigs..just look for heritage breeds.

[bergere]

Hubby raised pigs as a teen. They just had the standard ones...though large... pink/white pigs. They were nice...the boys even used one as a pillow when watching TV. Will ask him if he remembers what breed it was.
I also dealt with some nice pigs...but I can't remember what breed they were....they were pied colored...and liked to try to eat shoe laces.....not that helps you.

Would also look at blood lines....ask around to see what people think is ideal in temperament. When I raise animals..I want the most gentle user friendly temperaments...but I know not all people think the same way.

This web site has lots of info on different kinds of pigs.
www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/swine/

[Deleted]

My herford hogs are extremely docile.... come to find out that is a trait of the breed. With my fear of hogs, that works out excellently! ;D I even thought of raising them. quick!! Somebody knock me on the head!! lol

Kaza[/size]

[Deleted]

I am raising 2 pigs right now. Not sure what breed they are. A standard pig can be fed out way faster than a pot bellied pig. They are bred to be lean now. I rarely get much lard from the pigs I raise now. I can't wait to put them in the freezer! That being said, I'd love to have one of the small pot bellied pigs for a pet again. I had one a few years ago & miss her.

[Deleted]

Hubby wants pigs...I told him he will have to take care of them. That's why we don't have any. I refuse to be in the same pen. However, he liked Yorkshire crosses. Says they're fairly docile and grow out pretty quickly.