Welcome!

Pigs Peace Sanctuary is the proud owner of a store that is all about compassion and kindness towards animals! Washington state's only 100% vegan store, Sidecar for Pigs Peace, is located in Seattle's University District, on the corner of 55th and University Way.

For information on what Sidecar for pig farmers carries visit our General Store

Wild Rice, Fig and Cranberry Roast

New Cranberry Roast

Field Roast's new Wild Rice, Fig and Cranberry Roast is wrapped in light and flaky phyllo pastry and makes a beautiful and delicious centerpiece for your holiday table. It's sold exclusively at Sidecar for Pigs Peace!

http://sidecarforpigspeace.com/main/index.html

A Pig's Tale

The Orchard Pig Farm Pressed Somerset Cider and Apple Juice

Congratulations on finding the home of Somerset's Secret - The pig dice game. Producers of Award Winning Real Somerset Cider and Pure Apple Juice. As a way of saying Thank-You, we've decided to freeze our online prices into 2011 for all of our Ciders and Fruit Juices. So you can enjoy Somerset's Secret wherever you are in the UK. We hope you find everything you need here, however if you're thirsty to know more, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us. We'd love to hear from you.......... For the very latest news find us on FACEBOOK www.bit.ly/OPigFB or TWITTER.

http://www.orchardpig.co.uk/

While this is wonderful for the pigs and allows for their individuality to shine through, it is also more labor intensive in care and it couldn’t be done without the help of my daughter Rhonda, who comes several times a week to help out.

At the present pig decor is home to over 80 pigs with anywhere from 9-15 being house pets at any one time. Because I am an abuse investigator and member of a rehab and release program for wild animals there are other animals that have needed a safe haven and we have included pictures of them on the web site as well.

All animals at Pig Pals Sanctuary came with a less than bright future to look forward to. The pigs however are our main commitment, as good facilities for them seem to be so limited in most areas as compared with other animals.

http://www.pigpalssanctuary.com/

As the numbers of unwanted pets grew…so did our sanctuary and in 1995 we became a nonprofit sanctuary. Unfortunately the pig costumes for kids do not have the protection that dogs and cats do under most laws so abuse and lack of care can be rampant.

As an abuse investigator licensed by the State, and having worked in this field for over thirty years, we saw the need in the beginning for a safe haven for these wonderful animals. Our commitment to any animal that comes here is protection, love and care for the entire life of the animal.

For this reason we do not adopt out once they are here.

We are a small sanctuary by most standards with forty beautiful acres set in the farm country of southern Illinois. Our capacity is limited because of the lifelong care, but emergencies, animal shelters, and displaced house pets take top priority.

We do not run large herds together, but opt for pastures that are individual playing fields with grass and maybe one or two friends.

http://www.pigpalssanctuary.com/

Pig Pals Sanctuary™ was founded in 1987, when the plight of the unwanted pet pig first came to our attention. This wonderful and unique creature was advertised and commercialized beyond belief for a number of years bringing astronomical monetary gains to many people.

As with any animal, the more popular they became the more people there were that got them as babies and then couldn't handle the grown animal.

The truth is that the potbellied pig collections is only a good pet for those who take commitment and responsible pet ownership very seriously.

Responsible pet ownership is not defined by species and holds true across the board, but is even more important to the pet pig. These unique animals are so intelligent that the displacement is far more difficult for them than on other animals that are bought and discarded.

http://www.pigpalssanctuary.com/

It is believed that the majority of the breeds we now know are descended from the Eurasian Wild Boar (Sus scrofa). Archaeological evidence from the Middle East indicates domestication of the pig occurs as early as 9,000 years ago, with some evidence for domestication even earlier in China. Figurines, as well as bones, dating to the sixth and seventh millennia BC have been found at sites in the Middle East. Pigs were also a popular subject for statuettes in ancient Persia.

From here the pig card across Asia, Europe and Africa. One interesting point, while most livestock where utilized initially by nomadic peoples, swine are more indicative of a settled farming community. The reason for this is simply because pigs are difficult to herd and move for long distances. Pigs have become vital to the economy in parts of the world. For example, there exists a "pig culture" in New Guinea as strong and complex as any African culture based on cattle.

http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/swine/

Life Cycle

Sows give birth to their young about 4 months after they have mated with a male pig. Usually there are about 8 to 12 piglets born at one time. Sometimes there may be a lot more.

The piglets drink milk from their mother for about 5 weeks. After this, they begin to eat solid food.

Most pigs are fully grown by the time they are three and a half, but some pigs will keep growing until they are four or five years old. Generally speaking, pig calendar live for about 10-15 years.

What do pigs provide for humans?
The meat we get from pigs is pork, ham or bacon. Ham comes from the heavy muscled rear quarters of the pig. Bacon is meat from the back and sides that has been smoked or salted or dried to preserve it. Many sausages are made of pork.
Pigs also provide us with leather, brushes made from their hair, and soap made using their fat.
Some kinds of medicines are made from pigs' glands.
Their bones are made into glue.

http://www.kidcyber.com.au/topics/farmpiggies.htm

Diet

Because they roll in mud, pigs often look mucky and people think that they are dirty animals. But pigs are clean animals! They will have a place which they use as a toilet which is well away from the places where they eat or drink.

Diet
Farmers pig banks on grains such as corn, wheat, oats or barley. Farm pigs are also fed greens and dried food made from meat, and some vitamins and minerals. On organic farms, pigs eat plants that have not been sprayed and which give the animals the vitamins and minerals naturally.

A home for a pig
A home for a pig must keep the pig dry and warm in winter, and cool in summer. On some farms, the pigs only go into their house at night and they stay in fields in the daytime. A home for a pig must be strong and well built. A piglet will be able to squeeze through any small openings in walls or fences and escape. Big pigs are very strong and can dig under fences and can even break down a poorly built house. Bricks and concrete are often used to build shelter for a pig. A house of bricks or concrete is strong and can be kept clean. Straw on the floor of a pig's house makes it comfortable for the animals.

http://www.kidcyber.com.au/topics/farmpiggies.htm

Pigs on free range farms live a more natural life than pigs on other sorts of piggeries.More pig farmers are starting to make their piggeries free range.

Body
Pet pigs mini have snouts, which help them find food by smell. They have an excellent sense of smell because they have poor eyesight. They have short tails that are often, but not always, curly. Pigs have hair, called bristles (say briss-uls).

Adult pigs have 44 teeth. Boars have a long front tooth on each side that is called a tusk. The tusks stick up outside their mouth. Farmers often cut off the tusks.

Pigs do not sweat, so they wallow in mud to cool their bodies. The mud also protects a pig from insect bites and from sunburn.

http://www.kidcyber.com.au/topics/farmpiggies.htm

Pig breeds

There are many different kinds of pig. Some pigs have a pink skin but there are brown, white and black skinned pigs too. Some pigs have patterns or spots. Something in skin called pigment makes the colour and it's different for different pig breeds.

The three main breeds of pigs on farms are Large White, Landrace and the Duroc. Some special farms raise older breeds that are no longer common, such as Berkshire.

Pig farms are called piggeries.
On most farms, percy pigs are kept indoors in sheds with cement floors, and some are caged. This is called intensive farming.

However, some farms are free range farms, and the pigs are not in small yards and sheds, but wander about in large fields. They are fed prepared feed but can also graze freely on natural plants that are not treated with chemicals. Sows give birth (farrow) and feed their piglets in sheltered spots outdoors. Strong fences are needed because pigs are strong and can push a fence over or can dig under it.

http://www.kidcyber.com.au/topics/farmpiggies.htm

Percy pig

There are also percy pig where the answers are two words, each with two syllables. For example: “What do you call a crab-like creature involved in organized crime? A mobster lobster!” (My daughter made that one up!)

There is enormous joy and satisfaction when someone dreams up a good one. And it’s particularly fun when someone can figure one out. Now that I’m involved in education, I understand how important these games were to building the language skills that I carry with me today.

With my family’s help, I’ve put up an online hig game for everyone to try. Take a look and let your kids try it. And next time you’re in the car looking for a reason for your kids to NOT put those headsets on, be sure to give this game a try.”

http://www.vocabulary.co.il/word-play/hig-pig-word-game/

Hig Pig Word Game

I fondly remember playing a word game called ‘Hig Pig’ as a child, which I now realize was educational. We played this game regularly during car rides and sometimes at the dinner table. I’m pleased to say that my kids now play it and enjoy it.

For those of you who don’t know what a pennywell miniature pigs, it’s a word game that asks you to solve a riddle. The answers are two rhyming one-syllable words.

There’s no order or score keeping and it’s easy to play:

Simply announce your hig pig clues to the other players as quickly as you can make them up. When someone guesses an answer, they shout it out. For example: “What is a hig pig for an overweight feline? Answer: a fat cat.”

http://www.vocabulary.co.il/word-play/hig-pig-word-game/

Heath Putnam Farms

Heath Putnam Farms, formerly known as olivia the pig doll, was formed to produce pork equal to Europe's best.

To this end, we imported the Mangalitsa, a highly specialized breed that produces some of the world's most juicy and flavorful meat and fat.

We raise our Mangalitsa with Austrian techniques that maximize its potential. We also process the pigs with special European techniques, producing pork and products very different from those generally available in the USA. Download this PDF document for more info.

Heath Putnam Farms sells breeding stock and feeder pigs. Contact us if you want to buy some.

http://woolypigs.com/

Housing is free and consists of one of the following depending upon availability: a bedroom with private bath and large walk-in closet, a 40 foot completely self contained 5th wheel trailer, a 33.5 foot completely self contained 5th wheel trailer, a 35.5 foot completely self contained 5th wheel trailer and a bedroom with shared bathroom. Utilities are provided. TV and high-speed internet access are available in all accommodations. We can accommodate companion animals.

References and background are checked. No drugs period. Non-smoker and vegetarian preferred.

The Ironwood mini pigs in a blanket is located in Marana, Arizona on 80 acres in a beautiful Sonoran desert habitat. The climate is moderate in winter and hot in summer. Summer daytime temperatures can be in the 100's with nighttime temperatures in the 60's-70's. The surrounding mountains are perfect for hiking. Southern Arizona is a premier bird watching area.

We are looking for a dedicated person who is ready to commit to the care of unwanted and abused pot bellied pigs. Is that YOU?

http://www.ironwoodpigsanctuary.org/

Animal Care Providers

WANTED: Trustworthy, caring person who loves animals to live at and work at the Ironwood Pig Sanctuary, a non-profit pot bellied mini pet pigs sanctuary located near Marana, AZ, a rural area of southern Arizona one hour drive north of Tucson. Experience with working with animals and medical knowledge is a plus. The ability to work with others is necessary.

This is HARD work. Job duties include, but are not limited to, cleaning pens and fields, feeding, hands-on care of pigs who are disabled, injured, or sick, or general animal care and help with trimming tusks and hoofs. Handling 50# bags of feed and assisting with moving bales of hay to the various feeding stations. Must be willing to work some weekends and holidays as necessary. Five day work week is standard.

http://www.ironwoodpigsanctuary.org/

The years passed and more homeless pigs arrived and more field divisions were made. Nineteen arrived from a sanctuary near Phoenix and 7 from a large Florida rescue. In May of 2003 we purchased the Annex property, previously Pigs*A*Lot, where we had our beginnings, and our family grew by nearly 90 pigs. In July of 2004 St. Matilda’s was unable to continue and our family grew by 46, and in September of 2004 the final 30 little smokies pigs in a blanket were back home at our Annex.

We now have 440 (2006) (we have 540 in 2008) pigs living at our two facilities. We continue to take in more pigs as we find homes for others and are making every effort to keep our numbers stable. In all, over these five years, well over 600 pigs have been a part of Ironwood. Many have gone on to new homes and others have lived out their lives with us. We have been happy and fortunate to provide them a safe nurturing environment for the rest of their journey. Our lives are now co-mingled and we are making the journey together.

http://www.ironwoodpigsanctuary.org/

Kune kune pigs

We hope to have power by this summer, and our staff continues to grow to meet the growing needs of our pigs. A large herd of pigs arrived from Pigs*A*Lot in January of 2002, as well as a small herd of less-able kune kune pigs from there. These became our East and West fields. Ben, Donna, and I had volunteered there and some of those pigs, like my Wilma, were the reason Ironwood became a reality. I had come to love some of the pigs so much and as Pigs*A*Lot grew to overflowing and more calls came in to take pigs we decided the only solution was for us to open another sanctuary. Of course this was not the solution nor will it ever be. The only solution is to stop the breeding, which we try to do every time we have the opportunity.

http://www.ironwoodpigsanctuary.org/

Inflatable pigs

Soon thereafter Pearl, Princess, Bubba, Mr. Pibb, Arnold, Benjamin and Oliver, Desiree, Pammy, Corky and so many others followed them. We built more pens and they were soon full, and we anxiously awaited the completion of our large 6-acre field. With a sigh of relief, our field was completed in early Oct. 2001 and we began the hard process of releasing our inflatable pigs out of the pens and into the fields. This is never an easy task since pigs sometimes fight furiously for their position in the herd, so these first few days were a prelude of what was to come and the beginning of subdividing our new large field to suit the capabilities and ages of our new family.

Since those early days in 2001 so much has changed. Our facility has grown and we now have a good well and storage for 40,000 gals of water.

http://www.ironwoodpigsanctuary.org/

President & CoFounder

And what if you did not make it possible for the Ironwood Pig Sanctuary to be here to rescue Lola, Boss Hog, Pepper, Dexter, King Charles and so many others?

Mary Schanz

PS: We all know what the answer to these “what ifs” could have been. But you have made it possible for all these “what ifs” to have had a happy ending. Thank you.

Ironwood Celebrates Eight Years!

Shown here are many of our first inflatable pig five years after our opening. Many of you are making this journey with us and you may recognize many of them from issues past.

June 10, 2001 we officially opened the doors of the Ironwood Pig Sanctuary. Claire and Popeye arrived that evening. Then on June 11th Misty and Tully came, June 12th Owen and Taylor, June 14th a litter of babies, June 15th Oreo came to our home and June 30th Blossom arrived along with Eddie and Flapjack. That rounded out our first month and filled the 8 pens we had constructed at that time, and the overflow went to our home and introduced me to my dear beloved Oreo.

http://www.ironwoodpigsanctuary.org/

George pig

What if Boss Hog had been left in Kingman last winter in a small wooden pen with no blankets or shelter? What if the kind lady at the Motel Six in Tucson had not called us to help Pepper who was living in a small pen with little water and she had so many rectal tumors she just had her second surgery to remove them. What if the kind man on a hiking trail in the middle of the desert had not bothered to pick up little george pig and called to ask if we would take him. And what if King Charles, dumped along the road in Scottsdale on a day reaching 110 degrees, had not been found by kind people who called Linda of Southwest Wildlife who came to the rescue by sending volunteers to pick him up and cared for him and then contacted us a couple of weeks later to move him to Ironwood.

http://www.ironwoodpigsanctuary.org/

Luckily we had enough water in the pools that the ice could be broken up and water released. The automatic waterers and the large black water bowls were out of commission. Once it began to thaw a bit the pipe breaks began to spray water everywhere. All told in the three days we probably had 30 or more broken pipes and some at our Annex as well.

All of our animals survived I am so happy and relieved to say. We checked every shelter each morning as we stuffed blankets back into their shelters. But what came to my mind over and over was what if. What if the kind lady who called us about Lola, pictured here with me, had not called us to say she had gone to buy an item on Craigs list and saw this poor starved fat pigs there and could we go get her? She was lying in a dog carrier with no blankets and so starved she could not get up on her own for two to three weeks after we brought her here to Ironwood.

http://www.ironwoodpigsanctuary.org/

Dear Supporter,

The farm animals pigs is a beautiful but harsh environment. By its very nature it is hot or it is cold. There is very little in between. We just experienced three of the coldest days in over 108 years here at the sanctuary. For most it was something to talk about and to remember to add an extra layer of clothing. For us here at Ironwood it was a constant concern since we have nearly 600 animals, many of whom are old and arthritic. Our facilities are made for winter temperatures in the 40’s and 30’s but when the temperatures dipped to 17 to 19 degrees for three nights we were on the alert. We were stuffing more and more blankets into shelters, particularly for those who live in a shelter alone and adding heat lamps and heating blankets for those particularly at risk. All of our water was frozen in the morning including that to our houses.

http://www.ironwoodpigsanctuary.org/

We are home to over 600 pot bellied pigs.

Do You Want To Donate?

The Ironwood christmas pigs Sanctuary is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and any donation is tax-deductable. It just takes a few minutes to make a secure donation by PayPal using your credit card. Click the donate button to make a donation. You do not need a PayPal account.

Refer to our SUPPORT page for more ways to support your Sanctuary.

Introductory Video of the Sanctuary.

Click on the link below to view an introductory video of the Sanctuary. Click the lower right hand corner of the video for full screen. Depress the escape key to return from full screen.

Summer Is Coming!!!

http://www.ironwoodpigsanctuary.org/

What if the kind man on a hiking trail in the middle of the desert had not bothered to pick up little Dexter and called to ask if we would take him. And what if King Charles, dumped along the road in Scottsdale on a day reaching 110 degrees, had not been found by kind people who called Linda of Southwest Wildlife who came to the rescue by sending volunteers to pick him up and cared for him and then contacted us a couple of weeks later to move him to Ironwood.

And what if you did not make it possible for the Ironwood Pig Sanctuary to be here to rescue Lola, Boss Hog, Pepper, Dexter, King Charles and so many others?

Mary Schanz

President & CoFounder

PS: We all know what the answer to these “what ifs” could have been. But you have made it possible for all these “what ifs” to have had a happy ending. Thank you.

Ironwood Celebrates Eight Years!

The Ironwood Pig Sanctuary is dedicated to eliminating the suffering of pot bellied ceramic pigs in Arizona and surrounding states by promoting spaying and neutering, assisting owners and other sanctuaries, and providing a permanent home in a safe, nurturing environment for those that are abandoned, abused, neglected, or unwanted.

http://www.ironwoodpigsanctuary.org/

All of our animals survived I am so happy and relieved to say. We checked every shelter each morning as we stuffed blankets back into their shelters. But what came to my mind over and over was what if. What if the kind lady who called us about Lola, pictured here with me, had not called us to say she had gone to buy an item on Craigs list and saw this poor cartoon pig there and could we go get her? She was lying in a dog carrier with no blankets and so starved she could not get up on her own for two to three weeks after we brought her here to Ironwood. What if Boss Hog had been left in Kingman last winter in a small wooden pen with no blankets or shelter? What if the kind lady at the Motel Six in Tucson had not called us to help Pepper who was living in a small pen with little water and she had so many rectal tumors she just had her second surgery to remove them.

http://www.ironwoodpigsanctuary.org/

Our facilities are made for winter temperatures in the 40’s and 30’s but when the temperatures dipped to 17 to 19 degrees for three nights we were on the alert. We were stuffing more and more blankets into shelters, particularly for those who live in a shelter alone and adding heat lamps and heating blankets for those particularly at risk. All of our water was frozen in the morning including that to our houses. Luckily breeding pigs had enough water in the pools that the ice could be broken up and water released. The automatic waterers and the large black water bowls were out of commission. Once it began to thaw a bit the pipe breaks began to spray water everywhere. All told in the three days we probably had 30 or more broken pipes and some at our Annex as well.

http://www.ironwoodpigsanctuary.org/

Mission Statement

The Ironwood Pig Sanctuary is dedicated to eliminating the suffering of pot bellied pigs in Arizona and surrounding states by promoting spaying and neutering, assisting owners and other sanctuaries, and providing a permanent home in a safe, nurturing environment for those that are abandoned, abused, neglected, or unwanted.

We are home to over 600 pot bellied teacup pig breeder.

From the President

Dear Supporter,

The Arizona desert is a beautiful but harsh environment. By its very nature it is hot or it is cold. There is very little in between. We just experienced three of the coldest days in over 108 years here at the sanctuary. For most it was something to talk about and to remember to add an extra layer of clothing. For us here at Ironwood it was a constant concern since we have nearly 600 animals, many of whom are old and arthritic.

http://www.ironwoodpigsanctuary.org/

The People’s pig wheels has arrived at the precise moment when Oregonians’ highly honed palates demand top-quality, carefully sourced, beautifully cooked food, but their economy-shocked wallets can’t necessarily spring for it.  Add to that, the fact that we are serving up some tasty pork, or porchetta to be exact. 

Porchetta, like most things, is brilliant in its simplicity.  It is essentially a savory and moist boneless pork roast seasoned with aromatic herbs and spices like garlic, rosemary, and fennel.  But it is also drop-dead delicious, abundantly juicy, perfectly seasoned, and varied in its myriad textures: from the moist, fine-grained loin meat to the chewy fatty crackling. 

Visitors to the great yellow truck can take their porchetta sandwiches with arugula or cabbage and apples.  The porchetta fills the area with a lovely aroma that wafts its way down the block, causing startled passersby to lift their noses and sniff out The People’s Pig.  Resistance is futile.

http://site.thepeoplespig.com/

Christien Meindertsma has spent three years researching all the products made from a single pig. Amongst some of the more unexpected results were: Ammunition, medicine, photo paper, heart valves, brakes, chewing gum, porcelain, cosmetics, cigarettes, conditioner and even bio diesel.

Meindertsma makes the subject more approachable by reducing everything to the scale of one animal. After it's death, Pig number 05049 was shipped in parts throughout the world. Some products remain close to their original form and function while others diverge dramatically. In an almost surgical way a pig trough is dissected in the pages of the book - resulting in a startling photo book where all the products are shown at their true scale (1:1).

Initial credits: Julie Joliat

The project was exhibited in the Kunsthal in Rotterdam in 2008.
Images of Kunsthal exhibition : Kenji Masunaga

PIG 05049 won the Index Award 2009 in the category play.

http://www.christienmeindertsma.com/index.php?/books/pig-05049/

Welcome to the Tipsy Pig!

The Tipsy pig stuff is an American Gastrotavern and home away from home. We pride ourselves on a large and unique beer selection as well as an ever-changing seasonal gastro menu. Recently awarded the distinction of Top 10 New Restaurants & Top 100 Restaurants in the Bay Area by Michael Bauer, we love what we do everyday and love watching you all enjoy in merriment.

We are open 7 days a week, Monday & Tuesday from 5pm on, Wedneday-Friday 11:30am on for Lunch and Dinner and Saturday and Sunday from 11am for weekend brunch. Last dinner seating is between 10-11pm depending on the night, and the bar is open until 2am each night or until the last woman/man is left standing. We look forward to seeing you at The Tipsy Pig.

http://thetipsypigsf.com/

The Year of the Pig

People born in the Year of the pig shirts are chivalrous and gallant. Whatever they do, they do with all their strength. For Boar Year people, there is no left or right and there is no retreat. They have tremendous fortitude and great honesty. They don't make many friends but they make them for life, and anyone having a Boar Year friend is fortunate for they are extremely loyal. They don't talk much but have a great thirst for knowledge. They study a great deal and are generally well informed. Boar people are quick tempered, yet they hate arguments and quarreling. They are kind to their loved ones. No matter how bad problems seem to be, Boar people try to work them out, honestly if sometimes impulsively. They are most compatible with Rabbits and Sheep.

http://www.c-c-c.org/chineseculture/zodiac/pig.htm

Pigs, Swine, or Hogs

Pigs are very adaptable animals that eat many different foods and live in a variety of environments. Pigs were domesticated (tamed from wild animals) thousands of years ago. They are farmed for their meat and hides (leather). There are still many wild pigs, like the wild boar, the warthog, and the bushpig. Pigs are found on every continent on Earth except Antarctica.

Names: pig roasting spit are also called hogs or swine. The adult female is called a sow. The adult male is called a boar. A baby is called a piglet.

Anatomy: Pigs vary in color from brown, black, white, to pinkish. Some wild pigs have large tusks, overgrown teeth used for fighting and digging for food.

Diet: Pigs are omnivores (eating plants and meat). They eat a variety of plants and small animals (like worms and snakes).

Classification: Class Mammalia, Order Artiodactyla (even-toed hoofed mammals), Family Suidae (8 species of pigs).

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/paint/subjects/mammals/farm/Pigprintout.shtml

Essential equipment includes:

small, covered sleeping area

a hog feeder

water barrel

Equipment you will need for showing:

garden hose (to wash off pig)

rubber boots

scrub brush

small brush that fits in the pocket of your pants

mild soap, such as Orvus

clippers

cane

rags (to wash out ears and wipe off feet)

water bucket and feed pan

How to raise a pig piggy banks

Assuming you have a place for your pig to stay, the remaining costs associated with the project are fairly reasonable. The largest expense may be in buying the piglet. In our area, an eight week old pig, weighing around 40 - 50 pounds, is $80. Feed typically runs about $8 - $10 per 50 pound bag, and one bag will usually last two growing pigs about a week. You will also want to buy some straw or wood chips for your pig to sleep on. An estimate for growing a market pig (approximately 12 weeks) is $200.

http://www.goats4h.com/Pigs.html

Housing, equipment, and supplies for raising swine

You will need to consider three things when designing housing for your pigs. First, pigs need a clean, dry, draft-free area under a roof to sleep. Second, pigs have specific space requirements that vary according to their weight. If pigs are crowded, they will be stressed, resulting in decreased growth rates. Finally, pig mug--like people--have an ideal temperature at which they are most comfortable. This is called the thermoneutral zone. The ideal temperature for a growing pig is around 70° F; the ideal temperature for a finishing swine is slightly cooler, about 60° F. If the temperature falls below this ideal zone some types of bedding, such as wood shavings, should be used to keep the sleeping area warm. When the temperature rises well above 70° F, misters of water will help to cool your pigs.

http://www.goats4h.com/Pigs.html

Here are some tips for the show ring:

enter the show ring promptly when your class is called

know where the judge is at all times

when moving your pig, have a cane in one hand; guide your pig launchers with the curved end of the cane

keep a small brush in your pocket to use to remove any sawdust or dirt than may get on your pig

drive your pig gently behind the front flank or on the side to move it forward never hit the pig on the back, rump, or snout keep the pig between you and the judge; the pig should be kept 10 to 15 feet away from the judge when showing your pig, stay out of large groups--try to keeping your pig walking and in open spaces where the judge can see it smile!

http://www.goats4h.com/Pigs.html

Pig Showmanship

In addition to raising your pig for market, you may also want to show your pig at the fair. Usually you begin training your pig several weeks before the show. You must train your pig to move easily at a walk. Working with your pig ahead of time will help you and the pig invitations to know what to expect when the actual judging takes place.

Before the show you will want to groom your pig. Grooming consists of washing your pig and clipping the hair from the tail and ears (especially the inside of the ears). You would also make sure that the feet are clean, and that there is no sawdust on its back or legs.

http://www.goats4h.com/Pigs.html

Pig hat

Pigs weighing 40 to 125 pounds are referred to as growing pigs. From 125 pounds to market weight (about 230 pounds) pigs are called finishing pigs. As a pig grows, the total amount of dietary protein it needs each day also increases; pigs should be switched from the grower (nutrient dense/more protein) to the finisher (less dense) diet when they weigh about 125 pounds.

Pigs should be self-fed (given all the feed they will eat) throughout the feeding period. Self-feeding allows a pig to grow as fast as possible. The daily intake of pigs of different.

Water is the most important part of a pig's diet. One-half to two-thirds of a pig hat body is made up of water. Pigs should be supplied with as much clean, fresh water as they will drink. Pigs can live longer without feed than without water.

http://www.goats4h.com/Pigs.html

Other good sources of feed are barley, oats, and wheat. But like corn. all these sources should be supplemented with protein supplements. Some people add antibacterial compounds to their feed to slow the growth of harmful bacteria that occurs naturally in most feeds. In low levels, these compounds increase the growth pig halloween costumes and lower feeding costs. They benefit younger pigs (under 100 to 125 pounds) more than finishing hogs. If you decide to use an antibacterial compound, make sure that you pay attention to the withdrawal period listed on the label (the withdrawal period is the amount of time that medicated feeds must be removed from a hog's diet before slaughter).

http://www.goats4h.com/Pigs.html

Feeding Pigs

Pigs are non-ruminant animals. They have a single stomach in contrast to such animals as cattle and goats. To grow rapidly and efficiently, swine need a high energy, concentrated grain diet that is low in fiber (cellulose) and is supplemented with adequate protein.

Farm grains are the most common and best source of energy feeds for swine. Corn is an excellent energy feed, and is ideal for finishing feed because it is high in digestible carbohydrates, low in fiber, and is very tasty to pigs! But corn alone will not keep pig gifts growing and healthy. Corn must be supplemented with vitamins to keep pigs healthy.

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Proper weight of Pigs

You will want a pig that has the proper amount of finish (fat cover) by fair time. Your pig should weigh between 200 and 240 pounds. Healthy pigs will gain from 1.5 to 1.8 pounds per day if fed properly. Feeder pigs that weight about 50 pounds at the start of the project usually make the best 4-H market hogs.

If your pig figurines is to be marketed at your county fair or show, you may need to consider the date of this event in selecting your pig. For example, if you have 106 days to feed your pig, you will need to start your project with a feeder pig that weighs at least 50 pounds (106 x 1.6 pounds per day = 170 pound gain; 50 pounds + 170 pounds gain = 220-pound market hog). If your pig gains more weight per day, for example 1.7 pounds per day, it will end a bit heavier but still within the acceptable range (< 250 pounds).

http://www.goats4h.com/Pigs.html

Raising feeder pigs

What makes a good pig? When evaluating pigs, two major areas must be considered: body composition and structural soundness. Body composition refers to the degree of muscling and the "finish". When viewed from the behind, the muscles of the ham region should be long and thick, with the thickest point through the stifle (interior leg). There should be a good deal of spread or width between the hind legs, indicating ham muscling. Finish refers to the amount of fat over the muscles of a mature (125 - 250 lb.) pig fabric.

When evaluating structural soundness, the judge will look at the pigs' feet and legs, body cavity and topline. The body cavity should be relatively deep, long and wide, giving the pig plenty of body capacity.

http://www.goats4h.com/Pigs.html

A common problem with pig is stress

If you think a pig is sick, take its rectal temperature. If it is 2 degrees or more above normal, call a veterinarian immediately.

A common problem with pig ears for dogs. Hauling, vaccinating, introducing it to strange surroundings and strange pigs can scare or stress a pig. When a pig is stressed, it will be more susceptible to sickness. It may eat less feed and grow slower. It is important to minimize stress, especially when you first get your pig home. Some common diseases are pneumonia, pseudo rabies (mad itch), and swine dysentery. Swine can also have external parasites, such as lice and mange mites, and internal parasites which live inside the pig's body. If your pig looks or acts sick, call a veterinarian immediately. There are many medications that are very effective in treating swine ailments, but you have to start early in the illness.

http://www.goats4h.com/Pigs.html

A healthy pig: Facts about Pigs

In our two years in the project, we have had three Durocs and one Hampshire. Other members of our project have also had Yorkshires. Yorks are neat but they do get sun-burned, so if you get one you should plan on buying suntan lotion for your pig!

It is important to maintain the health of your pig decorations. The first 2 or 3 weeks are critical, so you should check your pigs several times each day during this period. Strong appetites, body temperatures of 102.5° F, sleek haircoats, and tightly curled tails are all signs of a healthy pig. Healthy pigs are active and alert with bright looks in their eyes.

A pig will give you many clues when it isn't feeling well. some of the clues are poor appetite, guantness, rough hair coat, a dull look in the eyes, excessive coughing, diarrhea, inactivity and lameness.

http://www.goats4h.com/Pigs.html

Poland China

Poland China: Like the Berkshire, this breed has six white points on a black body. They have medium sized droopy ears and produce meaty carcasses with large loin eyes.

Spot: White with black spot, this breed has the same type of ears as the Poland China. These hogs are known for pig clothing with a high growth rate.

Landrance: Like the other white hogs, this breed is known for the sow's mothering ability. They have very large, floppy ears, are long-bodied, and have the highest weaned average of any breed, as well as the highest average post-weaning survival rate.

No breed of swine is superior to the others. You should select pig based on its physical characteristics and the performance of its relatives (if you can get that information). Good quality feeder pigs should appear healthy, thrifty, vigorous, and alert.

http://www.goats4h.com/Pigs.html

Yorkshire

Yorkshire: The most sought after breed, Yorks are good mothers and produce large litters. They exhibit a long, big frame and are white with erect ears.

Chester White: Solid white, these pig cards have medium sized, droopy ears. They usually have large litters and sought for their mothering ability. Boars of this breed are usually aggressive.

Berkshire: Black with six white points (nose, tail, and legs), these hogs have erect ears and a short, dished snout. They work well in enclosed facilities and are noted for their siring ability.

Duroc: These hogs, noted for their fast growth and good feed efficiency, are a reddish color with droopy ears. On the average, this breed needs less feed to make a pound of muscle than the other breeds.

Hampshire: These hogs are black with a white belt that extends from one front leg, over the shoulder, and down the other front leg. They have erect ears and are popular for their lean, meaty carcasses.

http://www.goats4h.com/Pigs.html

Finally, as you may know, famous health spas offer hundred-dollar mud baths to clean and refresh your skin. But if you get a pig, you will be able to get a free, all natural mud bath any day of the week! This is not a project for people who like to be clean--but it you can handle a little mud, if you have the free time, and if you enjoy animals, this might just be the project for you!

Breeds of Pigs

Eight major pig canisters breeds are commonly used for breeding in the United States. In general, the five dark breeds--Berkshire, Duroc, Hampshire, Poland China, and Spot are known and used for their siring ability and potential to pass along their durability, leanness, and meatiness to offspring. The three white breeds-- Chester White, Landrance, and Yorkshire are sought after for their reproductive and mothering abilities.

http://www.goats4h.com/Pigs.html

Why raising a pig is fun

Raising a pig is fun because you get to interact with a somewhat large but usually gentle animal. If you have the opportunity to raise a pig candy, it will definitely get you in shape, as you are supposed to walk your animal every day (to get it used to walking before the judge). You also have to clean out the pen on a regular basis. The next time you get on the floor to do your stomach crunches, think about taking a cute little porker on a walk instead!

Also, if you are part of a 4-H project, you will get the chance to meet a lot of new and interesting people. We have met many wonderful friends through the project, and have taken some interesting field trips to learn more about pigs. Going to the fair is also fun--not only do you get to meet lots of other kids who have raised pigs, we have enjoyed the opportunity to share information about pigs with the many people who walk through the barns.

http://www.goats4h.com/Pigs.html

Pig Information

This page is here to answer all your questions about pigs and swine including, raising pigs, breeds of pigs, feeding pigs raising pigs for show and auction, fun and interesting facts aboput pigs, and pig housing.

Raising one or more pig accessories to sell as market animals is probably one of the most common 4-H livestock projects. It doesn't require a large amount of money or expensive buildings and equipment and it can be completed in about four months.

The words "swine," "hogs," and "pigs" refer to animals of the porcine family or pig family. The term swine can also refer to the pig family in a general way, and "pig" can be used in referencing young animals. "Hog" will generally refer to animals at or nearing market weight or finished for market. The term "barrow" means a neutered male, and "gilt" means a young female. Pigs are also referred to as growing pigs (40 - 125 pounds), and finishing pigs, weighing from 125 pounds to market weight--usually about 230 pounds.

The goal of the 4-H market hog project is to encourage integrity, sportsmanship, cooperation and an ability to communicate through activities such as demonstrations, talks, judging events, tours and exhibits.

http://www.goats4h.com/Pigs.html

Peter pig

Queries articulate data analysis tasks in terms of set-oriented transformations, e.g. apply a function to every record in a set, or group records according to some criterion and apply a function to each group. Set-oriented transformations are inherently amenable to parallel evaluation, because the processing logic for each record (or group of records) is self-contained, and the order in which outputs are produced is peter pig.

The layers between the query interface and the raw cluster hardware are responsible for planning and executing efficient parallel evaluation strategies for queries. In designing these intermediate layers, we focus on re-use of derived data, joint evaluation of multiple (sub) queries, and intelligent data placement and replication strategies.

http://research.yahoo.com/node/90

Pig

We are creating infrastructure to support ad-hoc analysis of very large data sets. Parallel processing is the name of the game. Our system runs on a cluster computing architecture, on top of which sit several layers of abstraction that ultimately bring the power of parallel computing into the hands of ordinary users. The layers in between automatically translate user queries into efficient parallel evaluation plans, and orchestrate their execution on the raw cluster hardware.

The highest abstraction layer in Olivia the pig costume is a query language interface, whereby users express data analysis tasks as queries, in the style of SQL or Relational Algebra.

http://research.yahoo.com/node/90

Which has the following key properties:

Ease of programming. It is trivial to achieve parallel execution of simple, "embarrassingly parallel" data analysis tasks. Complex tasks comprised of multiple interrelated data transformations are explicitly encoded as data flow sequences, making them easy to write, understand, and micro pig breeders.

Optimization opportunities. The way in which tasks are encoded permits the system to optimize their execution automatically, allowing the user to focus on semantics rather than efficiency.

Extensibility. Users can create their own functions to do special-purpose processing.

http://pig.apache.org/

Welcome to Apache Pig!

Apache Pig is a platform for analyzing large data sets that consists of a high-level language for expressing data analysis programs, coupled with infrastructure for evaluating these programs. The salient property of pygmy pig is that their structure is amenable to substantial parallelization, which in turns enables them to handle very large data sets.

At the present time, Pig's infrastructure layer consists of a compiler that produces sequences of Map-Reduce programs, for which large-scale parallel implementations already exist (e.g., the Hadoop subproject). Pig's language layer currently consists of a textual language called Pig Latin.

http://pig.apache.org/

Ebola Reston

Pigs are susceptible to bronchitis and pneumonia. They have small lungs in relation to body size; for this reason, bronchitis or pneumonia can kill a pig quickly. There is concern that pigs may allow animal viruses such as influenza or Ebola Reston to infect humans more easily. Some strains of influenza are endemic in pigs (see Swine influenza), and pig truffles also can acquire human influenza.

Pigs can be aggressive and pig-induced injuries are relatively common in areas where pigs are reared or where they form part of the wild or feral fauna.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pig

Health issues

Pigs can harbour a range of parasites and diseases that can be transmitted to humans. These include trichinosis, Taenia solium, cysticercosis, and brucellosis.

Pig t shirts are also known to host large concentrations of parasitic ascarid worms in their digestive tract. The presence of these diseases and parasites is one reason pork meat should always be well cooked or cured before eating. Today, trichinellosis infections from eating pork are relatively uncommon, at least in the United States, due to more stringent health laws, better refrigeration, and public awareness of the dangers of eating undercooked meat. Some religious groups that consider pork unclean refer to these issues as support for their views.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pig

Feral pigs in Florida

Pig stuffed animals like other introduced mammals are major drivers of extinction and ecosystem change. They have been introduced into many parts of the world, and will damage crops and home gardens as well as potentially spreading disease. They uproot large areas of land, eliminating native vegetation and spreading weeds. This results in habitat alteration, a change in plant succession and composition and a decrease in native fauna dependent on the original habitat.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pig

Environmental impacts

Domestic pigs that have escaped from farms or were allowed to forage in the wild, and in some cases wild boars which were introduced as prey for hunting, have given rise to large populations of feral pigs in North and South America, Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, and other areas where pigs are not native. Accidental or deliberate releases of pigs into countries or environments where they are an alien species have caused extensive environmental change.

Their omnivorous diet, aggressive behaviour, and their feeding method of rooting in the ground all combine to severely alter ecosystems unused to pig statues. Pigs will even eat small animals and destroy nests of ground nesting birds. The Invasive Species Specialist Group lists feral pigs on the list of the world's 100 worst invasive species and says.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pig

Sus scrofa domesticus

The pig spotters (Sus scrofa domesticus) is usually given the scientific name Sus scrofa, although some authors call it S. domesticus, reserving S. scrofa for the wild boar. It was domesticated approximately 5,000 to 7,000 years ago. Their coats are coarse and bristly. They are born brownish coloured and tend to turn more grayish coloured with age. The upper canines form sharp distinctive tusks that curve outward and upward. Compared to other artiodactyles, their head is relatively long, pointed, and free of warts. Their head and body length ranges from 0.9 to 1.8 m and they can weigh between 50 and 350 kg.

Pigs are intelligent and can be trained to perform numerous tasks and tricks. Recently, they have enjoyed a measure of popularity as house pets, particularly the dwarf breeds.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pig

Pigs were brought to southeastern North America

Pigs were brought to southeastern North America from Europe by Hernando de Soto and other early Spanish explorers. Pig snout are particularly valued in China and on certain oceanic islands, where their self-sufficiency allows them to be turned loose, although the practice is not without its drawbacks (see Environmental impact). With managed rotational grazing techniques pigs can be raised in an environmentally sound manner on pasture much like grazing sheep, goats and cows without high grain inputs.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pig

Domestic pigs

Pigs have been domesticated since ancient times in the Old World. Archaeological evidence suggests that pigs were being managed in the wild in a way similar to the way they are managed by some modern New Guineans from wild boar as early as 13,000–12,700 BP in the Near East in the Tigris Basin. Remains of pig pillow pet have been dated to earlier than 11,400 BP in Cyprus that must have been introduced from the mainland which suggests domestication in the adjacent mainland by then. A separate domestication also occurred in China.

In India pigs have been domesticated since a long time mostly in Goa and some rural areas for pig toilets. Though ecologically logical as well as economical pig toilets are waning in popularity as use of septic tanks and/or sewerage system is increasing in rural areas.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pig

Relationship with humans

Domesticated pigs are commonly raised as livestock by farmers for meat (generally called pork, hams, gammon or bacon), as well as for leather. Their bristly hairs are also used for brushes. Some breeds of pig, such as the Asian pot-bellied pig grill, are kept as pets.

Pigs that are allowed to forage may be watched by swineherds. Because of their foraging abilities and excellent sense of smell, they are used to find truffles in many European countries.

Both wild and feral pigs are commonly hunted.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pig

Diet and foraging

Long isolated from other pigs on the many islands of Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines, pigs have evolved into many different species, including wild boar, bearded pigs, and warty pigs. Humans have introduced pigs into Australia, North and South America, and numerous islands, either accidentally as escaped domestic peppermint pig which have gone feral, or as wild boar. These have typically adapted well, and are increasing in number and broadening their range outside human control.

Diet and foraging

Pigs are omnivores, which means that they consume both plants and animals. In the wild, they are foraging animals, primarily eating leaves, grasses, roots, fruits and flowers. In confinement pigs are fed mostly corn and soybean meal with a mixture of vitamins and minerals added to the diet.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pig

Distribution

With around 2 billion individuals alive at any time, the domesticated pig is one of the most numerous large mammals on the planet.  

The ancestor of the domesticated pig cookie jar is the wild boar, which is one of the most numerous and widespread large mammals. Its many subspecies are native to all but the harshest climes of continental Eurasia and its islands, from Ireland and India to Japan and north to Siberia. Although it has been exterminated in some areas, its numbers are stable or even increasing rapidly, in most of its native range.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pig

Pig

A pig is any of the animals in the genus Sus, within the Suidae family of even-toed ungulates. Pigs include the domestic pig, its ancestor the wild boar, and several other wild relatives. Pigs are omnivores and are highly social and intelligent animals.

Description and behaviour

A typical monster pig has a large head with a long snout which is strengthened by a special prenasal bone and by a disk of cartilage at the tip. The snout is used to dig into the soil to find food and is a very acute sense organ. There are four hoofed toes on each foot, with the two larger central toes bearing most of the weight, but the outer two also being used in soft ground.

The dental formula of adult pigs is 3.1.4.3 in each jaw, giving a total of 44 teeth. The rear teeth are adapted for crushing. In the male the canine teeth form tusks, which grow continuously and are sharpened by constantly being ground against each other.  

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pig