RSPCA statement regarding Micro-pigs.
"Owning and caring for a pig requires a great deal of commitment, time, skill, money, sufficient space to house the animal, specialist veterinary care when necessary and compliance with the many laws governing the keeping and transport of pigs."
Caring for your Pet Pig
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* Feeding
We feed our pigs on non-fattening sow nuts which has the correct balance of vitamins and minerals for your piglet alternatively sow & weaner nuts or pot bellied pig food. All are available from your local agricultural merchants - this will cost you typically £7 for a 25kg sack.
Feed your 'piglet' both in the morning and then the afternoon - a small handful is sufficient.
A 'fully grown pig' will require 1/2 a dog sized food bowl.
You can supplement their feeds with fruit and vegetables, bread or anything that is non-fattening and low in salt; however it is extremely important that you don't allow them to have any meat or meat based products (this is illegal).
Avoid over feeding.
Access to fresh clean water throughout the day.
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* Vaccinations
All our piglets will have been vaccinated prior to leaving for their new homes. This will cover them against worms, pig mites and mange for 12 months.
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* Housing & outdoor access
Whilst these pigs have been bred down to be smaller; they are still pigs so we feel it's particularly important that they are housed outside with constant access to the outside space so that they can bask in the sunshine, play in the dirt, root and toilet. Pigs are instinctively very clean animals and will always look to toilet away from their bedding as long as they have access to the outside space to do it.
All our pet pigs are housed outside in a secured pen containing either woodchip or grass. We have one or two that we have handled and given the freedom of being allowed out and they have really responded to it; often wandering out at they're own leisure and making they're way down to the back of the house where they know they have been given treats and some of their meals. This works really well and we will often show potential customers this and encourage them to do the same.
We recommend a small wendy house or shed with plenty of fresh straw to house the pigs. On the wendy house we have fitted a latch onto the door, specifically to give the pigs enough room to come in and out; whilst also limiting the gap so it's small enough to prevent any significant exposure to the cold or rain. On the sheds we use we have incorporated a stable door effect, the bottom half is always open giving the pigs the independence for themselves when they would like to come in and out. A nice thick covering of woodchip within the penned area will allow your pigs to root without causing damage to any lawned area, it also looks nice, in keeping with any garden and will provide natural drainage from the rain and keep everything clean and tidy - even your pigs :)
Pictures are shown to give you an idea for your own set-up - which you could replicate on a smaller scale.
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* Companionship, interaction & entertainment
We highly recommend having piglets in pairs in order to provide companionship for one another. They are ultimately herd animals so really do benefit from the company. If however you don't have other pigs then it is again encouraged that your pet pig is well socialised with other animals to prevent him becoming lonely. The more you interact and socialise with him the more enjoyable it will be for the both of you. Pigs are very intelligent animals and similarly to dogs will take a great deal of stimulation and comfort from toys and human contact; ours have access to a couple of footballs that they happily move around their penned area and will always run over on the sight of one of us coming to see them. Look to bond with your piglet as much as you can, lift him up onto your lap so he can snuggle up to you, or go lie down in the straw with him and spend time tickling his belly and stroking his head - he will love you for it!
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Further information
* Feeding
We feed our pigs on non-fattening sow nuts which has the correct balance of vitamins and minerals for your piglet alternatively sow & weaner nuts or pot bellied pig food. All are available from your local agricultural merchants - this will cost you typically £7 for a 25kg sack.
Feed your 'piglet' both in the morning and then the afternoon - a small handful is sufficient.
A 'fully grown pig' will require 1/2 a dog sized food bowl.
You can supplement their feeds with fruit and vegetables, bread or anything that is non-fattening and low in salt; however it is extremely important that you don't allow them to have any meat or meat based products (this is illegal).
Avoid over feeding.
Access to fresh clean water throughout the day.
-
* Vaccinations
* Vaccinations
All our piglets will have been vaccinated prior to leaving for their new homes. This will cover them against worms, pig mites and mange for 12 months.
-
* Housing & outdoor access
Whilst these pigs have been bred down to be smaller; they are still pigs so we feel it's particularly important that they are housed outside with constant access to the outside space so that they can bask in the sunshine, play in the dirt, root and toilet. Pigs are instinctively very clean animals and will always look to toilet away from their bedding as long as they have access to the outside space to do it.
All our pet pigs are housed outside in a secured pen containing either woodchip or grass. We have one or two that we have handled and given the freedom of being allowed out and they have really responded to it; often wandering out at they're own leisure and making they're way down to the back of the house where they know they have been given treats and some of their meals. This works really well and we will often show potential customers this and encourage them to do the same.
We recommend a small wendy house or shed with plenty of fresh straw to house the pigs. On the wendy house we have fitted a latch onto the door, specifically to give the pigs enough room to come in and out; whilst also limiting the gap so it's small enough to prevent any significant exposure to the cold or rain. On the sheds we use we have incorporated a stable door effect, the bottom half is always open giving the pigs the independence for themselves when they would like to come in and out. A nice thick covering of woodchip within the penned area will allow your pigs to root without causing damage to any lawned area, it also looks nice, in keeping with any garden and will provide natural drainage from the rain and keep everything clean and tidy - even your pigs :)
Pictures are shown to give you an idea for your own set-up - which you could replicate on a smaller scale.
-
* Companionship, interaction & entertainment
We highly recommend having piglets in pairs in order to provide companionship for one another. They are ultimately herd animals so really do benefit from the company. If however you don't have other pigs then it is again encouraged that your pet pig is well socialised with other animals to prevent him becoming lonely. The more you interact and socialise with him the more enjoyable it will be for the both of you. Pigs are very intelligent animals and similarly to dogs will take a great deal of stimulation and comfort from toys and human contact; ours have access to a couple of footballs that they happily move around their penned area and will always run over on the sight of one of us coming to see them. Look to bond with your piglet as much as you can, lift him up onto your lap so he can snuggle up to you, or go lie down in the straw with him and spend time tickling his belly and stroking his head - he will love you for it!
Further information
Take sometime to read the following articles we have found produced by Defra and the RSPCA.
Defra, the UK Government Department responsible for policy and regulations on the environment, food and rural affairs. They have provided the following article for owners of pet pigs and micro pigs:-
http://www.defra.gov.uk/animalhealth/publications/Advice_Guidance/A_G_Pigs171209.pdf
The RSPCA which is the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Have made available the following information on keeping pet pigs:-