Learn More About Pigs

Whether you are interested in rescuing, breeding, showing, or you’re looking for a small companion animal, guinea pigs fit the bill. They are relatively easy keepers, very prolific, easy to handle, and, of course, super adorable! There are 13 different guinea pig breeds recognized in the US by the American Rabbit Breeders Association and the American Cavy Breeders Association. Guinea pigs come in all different colors, hair types, and personalities to fit right in with you and your family. Guinea Pig Care Setting up a safe home for your guinea pig should be a high priority before you pick up your new...

How to Decide if a Mini or Potbellied Pig is the Right Pet for You? If you are on the fence about getting a mini pig as your next pet, rule number one is to do your research! My first experience with a pot belly pig was when someone with good intentions did not do their research and ended up with a pet that they couldn’t keep. My dad’s coworker had a pet pig she needed to rehome, so much to our surprise, my dad spontaneously picked us up from school one day, and we went for a ride to pick up...

One of the most critical times in a pig’s life is weaning. They are often moved to a new environment, given new roommates and transitioned from milk to solid feed for the first time. All of these changes at one time can be very stressful for a young pig. It is estimated that a 1-pound heavier pig at the end of the nursery equates to an approximately 2 to 4 pounds heavier pig at market. Therefore, implementing proper management by forming a feeding plan that provides nursery diets at the right time, order, and balance is absolutely essential in order to help piglets stay...

Whether you have a couple of sows in your backyard or operate a large-scale commercial operation, you know that every healthy, productive pig starts with a healthy, productive sow. Providing your sows the care they need is not only essential for their well-being, but also their longevity, number of piglets weaned, piglet health, and the farm’s overall success and profitability. When raising pigs and caring for sows, here are some important things to keep in mind: Sows gestation length is roughly around 114 days. (An easy way to remember this is, it is about 3 months, 3 weeks, and 3 days). This...

Pig feeds today can come in a number of different forms. Kalmbach Feeds® makes pig feeds that come in multiple sizes of pellets, as well as meal feeds and even cubes. It may leave you asking yourself which one is best for your pigs. What Are the Different Types of Pig Feed? Variables such as your pig’s age, size, and feeder type can play a big role when it comes to deciding which form of feed works best for you. If feeding your pigs on a floor or outside, meal or mash feed is not ideal because it is a challenge for...