Commercial pig farming is a very old business throughout the world. It's very easy to raise the pigs, and it's a great way to make good profits within a short period of time. If you are searching for starting pig farming business, then you are in the right place. Here we are going discuss everything about this profitable pig production business. Pig farming is actually the raising and breeding of domestic pigs as livestock principally for food. Pig or hog farming is a branch of animal husbandry. And it's a very popular agribusiness throughout the world.
Pigs are well adapted to a wide variety of climatic conditions, and they can be raised in many different ways. They can be raised in intensive commercial units, extensive system, or in commercial free range systems. Some people also keep one or several pigs as pets. But the main aim of commercial production is food production (such as pork, bacon, gammon etc.).
Previously, a few pigs were kept and were closely associated with the residence of the owner. They were valued as a source of meat and fat, and also for their ability to convert inedible food into meat. They were often fed household food waste when kept on a homestead. In some areas, pigs have been farmed to dispose of municipal garbage on a large scale.[1]
Today, intensive pig farming system is most popular. This system is very popular mainly due to the potential to raise a large amount of pigs in a very cost-efficient manner. In the developed countries, commercial pig farms are available which raising thousands of pigs in climate-controlled buildings.
However, pigs are among the most popular form of livestock, with more than one billion pigs butchered each year throughout the world (100 million of them in the USA). The majority of the pigs are used for human food, but they also supply skin, fat and other materials for use as clothing, ingredients for processed foods, cosmetics, and also medical use.
Today, commercial pig farming business is popular in many countries. But the main pig products consuming countries are in Asia. Despite having the world's largest herd, China is a net importer of pigs, and has been increasing it's imports during it's economic development.
Largest exporters of pigs are the United States, the European Union and Canada. For an example, more than half of Canadian pig production (22.8 million pigs) was exported in 2008, going to 143 countries. However, commercial pig farming is a lucrative business. And you can start this business if you have all the required facilities.
What Is Pig Farming?
Pig farming is actually the practice of breeding, raising, and caring for pigs mainly for the purpose of meat production. In most commercial farms, the pigs are raised in a controlled environment, such as a barn or pigsty, and are given food, water, and care by the farmer.
How to Start Pig Farming Business?
As we have mentioned earlier, starting and operating a pig farming business is very easy and simple. Even the beginners can also start this business in small scale. But having a training will be better for commercial production. Here we are trying to describe more information about starting and operating a successful pig farming business from selecting breeds, to caring and marketing.
Select Good Farm Land
First of all, you have to select a very good location for starting this business. It will be better, if the land is far from residential area. Selecting a calm and noise and pollution free place will be good for better production of pigs. Ensure availability of sufficient amount of clean and fresh water in the area. Good transportation system is a must. Good transportation service will help you to market your products easily, and it will also be much easier to buy the necessary things from market.
Make An Effective Business Plan
Making an effecting business plan is very important for successful pig farming business. A viable business plan helps to run the farm smoothly and also ensures maximum profits from your production business. You can ask for help from an expert for making an excellent pig farming business plan.
Select Right Breed For your Production
Selecting the right breed is very important for successful pig farming business. So, choose the breed wisely. You should choose those breeds which are easily available in your area. Local breeds are also a good option, but production will be less. Try to consult with some existing producers in your area, and ask for help for selecting the right breed for your business. Some common and popular pig breeds for commercial production are Yorkshire, Landrace, Duroc, Hampshire, Spotted, Poland China, Chester White and Berkshire.
Provide Good Housing
Making a good house with the availability of all required facilities is very important for successful pig farming business. A good house not only keeps the pigs healthy, but also helps them to stay free from adverse weather conditions. Install a good ventilation system, and ensure flow of sufficient amount of fresh air and light inside the house. Make proper facility for keeping the boar, farrowing, weaner and dry sow separated from each other. Required space for each type of pigs is listed in the following chart.
Provided Balanced Feeding
Feeding the pigs with good quality and nutritious food is the most important part of commercial pig production. Good food not only help to keep the pigs healthy, but also help them to grow better and gain weight faster. You can feed your pigs with almost everything. You can either feed them ready made commercial feeds or you can prepare the feeds of your own. You can select the most economical ingredients for preparing the feeds. Basic ingredients of pig feed are oat, grains, maize, wheat, rice, sorghum and other millets. You can add some protein supplements like oil cakes, fishmeal and meat meal.
Add all types of mineral supplements and vitamins. Add antibiotic supplements at the rate of 11 mg per kg. It would be better if you can allow your pigs to browse in the pasture and feed fresh green legumes. The best way to feed the pigs of a farm, is to keep them and feed them separately. That means, keep the different aged pigs separately and feed them according to their age and weight.
Along with feeding nutritious food, always serve them sufficient amount of clean and fresh water. Providing adequate water is very important for good growth of the pigs. Food demand varies according to the age and body weight of pigs. See the chart below to learn about the required daily feeds according to the body weight of different aged pigs.
| Feeding Amount According to the Body Weight of Pigs | |
| Body Weight of Pigs | Daily Required Food (kg) Per Pig |
| 25 | 2.0 |
| 50 | 3.2 |
| 100 | 5.3 |
| 150 | 6.8 |
| 200 | 7.5 |
| 250 | 8.3 |
Breeding
Pigs are naturally very good breeders. They will breed easily if you keep good ratio of sows and boars. Pigs generally reach breeding age faster. Both boars and sows become suitable for breeding within their 8 months of age. Heat period of a sow lasts for 2 to 3 days. But the first day during the heat period of a gilt is the best time to breed, and the second day is the best day for a sow. A lactating sow become ready for breeding again 2-10 days after weaning. Gestation period of pigs is not more than 115 days. Generally, a sow can give birth of piglets twice a year, and about 8-12 piglets each time.
Good Caring Is Also Important
Taking good care of the animals is very important for getting good production from your business. Although, pigs are very hardy and require less caring and other management. Ensure hygiene system inside the house. This will help the animals to stay free from all types of health hazard and diseases. Keeping the boars and sows separated from each other is a great idea. All the boars are not necessary for breeding. So, keep some for breeding and you can castrate the remaining pigs when they reach 3 to 4 weeks of age.
Avoiding providing of contaminated feeds and polluted water will be good for the health of the pigs. Take extra care of the pregnant and lactating sows. Vaccinate them on a regular basis to keep them safe from swine diseases. Always try to keep good contact with a vet in your area. Keeping the pigs in a calm and quiet place will be good. And don't allow visitors inside your farm.
Marketing
Marketing pigs or pig products is very easy. Because both pigs and pig products already have a very good market demand and value. So, you will probably be able to easily sell your products. Although, it is always recommended to determine your marketing strategies before staring any agribusiness.
Pig Welfare Issues
In commercial pig production, there are some key reasons of why some people are worried about the welfare of pigs. Some notable pig welfare issues are:
Farrowing Crates: Farrowing crates prevent the sow from turning around for up to five weeks during the time of farrowing. And the sow can't build a nest due to confinement and a lack of bedding material (which is one of her natural behaviors).
Tail Docking: Tail docking involves removing part of the pig's tail in order to reduce the risk of tail biting in older pigs. This is done without pain relief in most cases. Tail biting is often carried out by pigs who may be experiencing physical or mental stress. These pigs experience pain and it can lead to serious injury.
Nose Ringing: In some cases, outdoor sows may have their noses ringed. This is done mainly to reduce rooting of the ground (by digging or disturbing it with their snout). Nose rings work by causing discomfort and pain to the pig as it goes to root with her snout, causing her to stop. This practice can lead to an increase in the death rates of piglets. The pigs find the insertion of the ring painful and the handling stressful.
Teeth Reduction: The sharp ends of the needle teeth are removed on some piglets for reducing damage to other piglets and to the teats of the sow during suckling. The procedure can lead to pain and discomfort for the piglets.
Fully Slatted Floors: In some areas, the pigs only have slatted floor to lie on and are kept in environments with little to do. Pigs are very intelligent animals and if you don't provide them some things to interact with (such as straw , or other suitable materials to root around in and express natural behavior) can lead to boredom. And a bored pig can become stressed and may start tail-biting which is very painful.
How To Improve Pig Welfare?
Improving pig welfare is very important. We should work to improve the welfare of pigs at all stages of their lives. Here we are trying to list some things you can do to improve pig welfare.
Provide Good Bedding: Provide your pigs with good bedding and environmental enrichment. It can be either straw or another similar, suitable materials.
Provide Solid Floors: Provide your pigs a solid floor for their laying area. Don't provide them fully slatted, bare floors.
Provide Much Space: Provide your pigs with enough space that their legal requirement. Allow your pigs to move freely, and don't use farrowing crates.
Additional Considerations: Perform no teeth clipping, nose ringing, and tail docking. And also don't do surgical castration.
These are the common ways and steps for starting a profitable pig farming business. Raising pigs is really easy and simple. Hope this guide has helped you! Good luck and may God bless you!
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