« Teaching And Education | Home | Pot-Bellied Pigs »
Pet Pigs
By peace | December 30, 2007
Pigs live to eat!
The word ‘pig’ generally refers to any wild or domesticated animal in the scientific classification family of Suidae, although some reserve ‘pig’ just for younger animals. The word ’swine’ covers all members Suidae and means much the same as ‘pigs’ in its most general sense. “Oinker” and “grunter” are some terms that can also be used when describing a pig.
Another word that gets used quite a lot is “hog”. “Hog” typically refers to any domesticated pigs living on a farm, although some use “hog” only in reference to pigs that are over 120 pounds and raised specifically for pork production. “Porker” is another familiar term that can also be used for a pig that is raised for pork production. “Hog” is also used with a few wild pigs like the Warthog and Pygmy Hog.
For either wild or domesticated pigs, the babies are called “piglets”, immature pigs, a bit older than piglets, are called ’shoats’, castrated males are called ‘barrows’, males of any age can be called boars, and adult females are called ’sows’.
The ideal age to obtain a piglet would be when it is 10-14 weeks of age. Very young piglets can be notoriously difficult to cope with in respect of their eating habits, and they can suffer badly if they are relocated during this difficult period. By the time they have reached the recommended age, they will be much more settled in every way. They will have been desexed, received all their needed vaccinations, will have been weaned a number of weeks previously, and will have been well socialized by the breeder. Chances are they will have been litter box trained, and have become familiar with a harness and lead.
The New Piglet
The main criteria of a pet pig is that it should be very healthy, be a typical example of the breed, and should have been carefully reared so that it will make the transition to your home with minimal problems. The pet piglet should have received ample handling so that it is not nervous when you obtain it, and will not squeal and run off at high speed every time you and family members approach it.
It will naturally be rather apprehensive the first day or two but this will recede thereafter. The piglet that has not been socialized to humans will take weeks of devoted care before it loses its nervousness. Some may never lose this trait, because to imprint any animal successfully on humans it must be socialized at an early age, on a day-to-day basis.
Which Sex makes the best Pet?
Neither sex is superior to the other though each may display traits you would expect that sex to have. The fact that all pets should be neutered or spayed means that sex-limited traits are displayed at a much lower level. Boars are less aggressive and domineering, sows are less moody. The most influential factors will be just how well your pet is fed, cared for, housed, trained and loved. Both sexes respond equally to these influences and it is these that, in any pet, will determine its attitude to you and others.
January 1st, 2008 at 9:45 pm
[…] Pet Pigs | […]
January 1st, 2008 at 10:34 pm
[…] Related Links Pot-Bellied Pigs Pet Pigs […]
January 1st, 2008 at 10:36 pm
[…] Pet Pigs | Home | Caring For Pot-Bellied Pigs […]
March 21st, 2008 at 5:02 am
omg i love pigs they are so cute and so much FUN!!!!! i wish i could get one so bad
but my parents said that the r too costly
do u know of any breeder or anyone who i could get n toubh with to get one??????
July 24th, 2008 at 9:51 pm
U guys are so lucky I wat a baby pig soooo bad they are so cute. My dad said maybe when Im older but I think Im old enough. I mean Its not like a cow or anything that big.