How to Buy Pig Weaners to start Farming
Pig farming is an essential business in South as sheep and beef meat are at a point where it is almost unaffordable for most South Africans. Chickens and pig farming is not only trending and more farmers is diverting their strategy to the latter. This article will include tips on how to start faster with a pig farming and to make a profit in the long term. How to buy Pig Weaners to start Farming
Purchasing pig weaners (young pigs) is a crucial step in starting a pig farming venture.
How to Buy Pig Weaners to start Farming
Here’s a step-by-step guide on How to Buy Pig Weaners to start Farming
1. Define Your Requirements: Determine the number of pig weaners you want to buy based on your farming goals and available resources. Consider factors such as the size of your farm, your budget, and the capacity of your facilities.
2. Research Reputable Suppliers: Search for reliable pig weaner suppliers in your region. You can find suppliers through online platforms, agricultural associations, local farm markets, or recommendations from other pig farmers. Look for suppliers with a good reputation for raising healthy and high-quality piglets.
3. Evaluate Health and Quality: When assessing pig weaners, prioritize their health and overall quality. Here’s what to look for:
- Physical Condition: Choose piglets that are active, alert, and have a good appetite. Avoid piglets that are lethargic, have sunken eyes, or show signs of weakness.
- Coat and Skin: Piglets should have clean, healthy skin without any sores, rashes, or signs of infection.
- Respiratory Health: Listen for coughing or labored breathing, as these could be signs of respiratory issues.
- Size and Uniformity: Aim for piglets that are similar in size and weight. Avoid extremes in size as this could indicate health problems.
4. Ask Questions: Engage in a conversation with the supplier to gather important information about the piglets. Ask about their health history, vaccination status, and feeding regimen. Inquire about the breed of the piglets and any specific care they require.
5. Request Documentation: Ask the supplier for relevant documentation, such as health certificates, vaccination records, and birth records. These documents provide assurance that the piglets are healthy and have received appropriate care.
6. Plan Transportation: Prepare for the transportation of the pig weaners from the supplier to your farm. Ensure you have a suitable and clean livestock trailer to transport the piglets safely and comfortably. Minimize stress during transportation to maintain their well-being.
7. Prepare Housing: Before bringing the pig weaners to your farm, ensure that your pig housing facilities are ready to accommodate them. Provide clean, dry, and well-ventilated pens with proper bedding and heating if necessary. Ensure access to clean water and appropriate feed.
8. Quarantine and Observation: Consider quarantining the newly purchased pig weaners in a separate area of your farm for a short period. This helps prevent the introduction of diseases to your existing pigs and allows the new arrivals to acclimate to their new environment.
9. Health Care and Nutrition: Work closely with a veterinarian to establish a health management plan for your piglets. Ensure they receive appropriate vaccinations, deworming, and other preventive measures. Provide a balanced diet designed for weaner pigs to support their growth and development.
10. Monitor and Learn: Regularly monitor the pig weaners’ health, behavior, and growth. Keep records of their weight, vaccinations, and any health issues. Continuously educate yourself about pig farming practices and adapt your management approach as needed.
The success of your pig farming venture relies on proper care, management, and attention to detail. Seek guidance from experienced pig farmers or agricultural experts in your area to ensure you’re following best practices for raising healthy and productive pigs.
Get the Weaners at the right price
It is important to get your weaners at a good price and many farmers sell weaners for a living as they don’t have the structure or time to grow the pigs for profit. This mean that it is not hard to get weaners on a regular basis. Weaners should be bought for R400 or less to make sure that you are in a profit margin at the end of your growing season.
We will explain a strategy on how to save on feed cost later in this article. You can find weaner pigs on Gumtree, Facebook and other classified ads. Most farmers selling pig weaners will advertise on these platforms and even if they are sold out it is worth to keep their number as they will continue to farm wit pigs and therefore sell more weaner pigs in the future.
The pros of buying weaner pigs
There is many pros and also some cons when you buy weaner pigs. The biggest advantage is when you buy some weaners is that you reduce your growing cost and medical costs dramatically. When you buy weaners look for an respectable farmer that gives you top quality products. The piglets must have been dosed with iron and dewormer
When you buy weaners that is around 2 months old you only have to grow them to become market ready for another 6 to 7 months depending on the feed that you give them.
Buying piglets that is healthy and dosed properly also mean that you have no risk of losing weaners when they are born or getting ill in the beginning of the season.
You also don’t have the risk of the mother lying on top of them and injure or even kill the piglets.
Healthy weaners are less likely to get ill or infected with skurf miete which make their skin hairy and also increase the chances of getting worms.
What to look for when you buy weaner pigs
If your pig den’s are all setup and there is some protection for them against cold and wind you are ready to buy some pig weaners. Make sure that your fences or walls are pig proof as it is a pigs life mission to break out and roam freely.
When buying a piglet you must look at the following
Their tails must be curly and their ears must be pointy. This is the first indication that the pigs are healthy.
If there is signs of tears or snotty drips from their eyes and nose then avoid buying them if you don’t have experience to treat and cure these symptoms. These symptoms is the start of an piglet becoming ill.
The farmer must guarantee you that the pigs has been dosed against worms and has had a iron injection. You can even ask the farmer to do it infront of you as it is a quick procedure. Make an appointment before you buy and arrange a dosing session.
If the pigs are hairy or their hips are triangular do not buy the pigs even if you get them at a bargain. Sick pigs takes months to recover and you will not make a profit on them. They will eat expensive food and chow away your profits.
When you buy a pig from a farmer and need to transfer them with a truck or bakkie make sure to download our transport permit on our website. The permit is free but you need it when you transfer any livestock.
Read on how to
How to get the weight of a pig without a Scale
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How to buy Pig Weaners to start Farming
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