Carrie Beegle

Bryant RedHawk wrote:hau Carrie, we have American Guinea Hogs and our pastures are working pretty well for us. Our mix lists out like this; tall fescue for the base, the first over seed was 5 lbs. each of Alfalfa, crimson clover, white clover, seven top turnip, beets, rape, brassicas, sweet field peas. I just poured all the large seeds together and spread then mixed all the small seeds and spread. Water well then don't put any hogs on for 10 weeks so everything gets well established.

Depending on how many animals you are running I would think about only having them on a paddock for one week then move them to the next. The longer you leave hogs on a parcel, the more damage they will do to it which makes recovery time longer which means you will end up needing more paddock areas.

We are still building paddock areas, each about 1/2 acre and we are using 4 acres for our hog operation. one paddock holds 8 hogs for a week then they get moved in rotation so by the time they get back on everything has had time to grow tall again.
Instead of wheat, try for barley or oats, they seem to like those two far more than wheat. What most call weeds also seem to be favorites of our hogs.

Thanks for the great info Bryant! We were going to do the pastures 1/2 acre as well. I have seen that the longer they stay in one place, the more they try and root. They like to be moved around. Can I ask something else? Where do you get your seed? - Carrie

Thank you Travis! That is great information and I will keep that in mind. I think I will take your advice and only do a little alfalfa.

I raise Idaho Pasture Pigs and I am in need of some information on what the best kind of plants are for a well rounded pig pasture. If anyone here has any suggestions, I would appreciate it. I was thinking of alfalfa and some legumes and possibly wheat and timothy. I want them to be able to enjoy the plants without tearing them up. They seem to love digging for grubs and other root vegetables. I was going to plant some beets and root vegetables in certain places to keep them busy. They don't "root", but seem to like to "roll" the top layer of the grass away to get the goodies underneath. I was going to make 4-1 acre pastures and use two at a time and then rotate. I am new to this, so any help anyone can give me would be fabulous. Thank you.

My husband and I dream of having a sustainable farm and rehabilitation program for alcoholics and drug addicts and animals. My husband has been sober for six years now and he counsels addicts at the local drug rehab facility and sponsors many others. We currently raise our own turkeys, ducks, chickens, bees and Idaho Pasture Pigs. We have had individuals in recovery stay at our house and don't charge them anything and they help around our little farm. It is amazing to be able to witness how much difference it makes when you are hurting inside and lost to be able to help care for an animal and see the results. We also have dogs and cats. Many times we have had pigs in the house that needed to be fed every 2 hours and our "guests" have always been quick to help out. It is my theory that it is a lot easier to find a "higher power" while holding a bottle for a 2 day old piglet that is grunting and snuggling in your arms. We would love to have enough money to have add horses and cows and a "bunk house" for our "guests". My husband and I are both chefs and we have a large garden and love growing our own herbs. We cure our own meats, smoke them (our jerky is to die for!) and create our own medicinal teas. So many times my husband sees people on the road to recovery that have no place to call their own and are often put back into the same circumstances that brought them to rehab to begin with. We would love to be able to give some of them a home and a solid start on their new lives. I don't need millions...just something to get us started.

Dana Jones wrote:

Carrie Beegle wrote:I have been raising Idaho Pasture Pigs for two years and I love them! They are more like dogs than pigs. I can go into the pen with the 450 lb boars and they rub up against me and use me as a scratching post. I have been in the farrowing pen with my 4 year old granddaughter for every litter and never had an issue. They fit nicely with our little homestead. If you are interested in visiting or would like more information, please go to our website. www.savanaacres.com or give me a call 330-703-7534. We have breeding pairs on the ground ready to go in about a week. We will not be breeding for breeding pairs again until next spring, but will have barrows available in the fall for meat stock. I have been around other breeds of pigs, and I can honestly say none compare to the experience we have had raising these lovely creatures.

Thanks for your post and website information. I like it that the pigs are not aggressive. The pictures of your pigs are great, I love all the colors!

Oh, so you must have gone to our website! They are beautiful. It's fun watching their personalities and colors develop as they get older. I saw from another posting that you have decided to raise IPP's. That's great news! But, your nearest breeder is 3 states away? What state do you live in? I know of a couple other breeders. Maybe we can get someone closer to where you live. Of course, I would love to be able to help answer any questions you have. My email is Idahopasturepigs@savanaacres.com if you would like to email me there. There is also an IPP facebook page that helps as well.

I have been raising Idaho Pasture Pigs for two years and I love them! They are more like dogs than pigs. I can go into the pen with the 450 lb boars and they rub up against me and use me as a scratching post. I have been in the farrowing pen with my 4 year old granddaughter for every litter and never had an issue. They fit nicely with our little homestead. If you are interested in visiting or would like more information, please go to our website. www.savanaacres.com or give me a call 330-703-7534. We have breeding pairs on the ground ready to go in about a week. We will not be breeding for breeding pairs again until next spring, but will have barrows available in the fall for meat stock. I have been around other breeds of pigs, and I can honestly say none compare to the experience we have had raising these lovely creatures.