PIG FARMING IN NIGERIA: Step-by-step Guide On How To Start Making Money From Rearing Of Domestic Pigs.

INTRODUCTION TO PIG FARMING

Pig farming is the raising and breeding of domestic pigs. It is a branch of livestock farming. Pigs are raised mainly for food (e.g. pork, bacon, gammon) and sometimes for their skin.

Pigs are amenable to many different styles of farming: intensive commercial units, commercial free range enterprises, extensive farming - being allowed to roam around a village, gated compound, bush, or closed street, or tethered in a simple shelter or kept in a pen outside the owners house. 

Pigs loves food a lot, they eat both plants and meats, which means they are highly prolific omnivorous animals with efficient feed conversion rate, fast growth rate and good mothering ability. 

Pigs have a short gestation period of an average of 114 days and, with efficient management, a sow will farrow four (4) times in two (2) years with eight (8) to sixteen (16) piglets at each farrow and attaining maturity or slaughter weight of 70kg at eight months. Wow!! Amazing?

How To Get Started Into Pig Farming In Nigeria

You can start domestic pig rearing with the little capital you have. For now, you may not require a large space or area for pig farming. You can build a pen for keeping your pigs outside the house, using well secured cage system in case of theft. Pigs do not sweat, so don't cover pigs in a narrow place. Leave them in a open area.

Remember, one (1) male pig can service ten (10) female. Always go for hybrid pigs. 

Put the pigs in a private pen (area) during gestation for 3 months and 3 weeks. Buy genetic species of pigs. Genetic species has fast growth rate and good mothering ability. Giving your pigs sugar can help during gestation. Sugar helps in fertilize in female pigs.

After birth, piglets with different parents fight because they have the ability to smell their kind. So rub them all with palm oil after birth. Separate the big and the small. Any pig that is due for gastation should be put in a separate place. The place for storing pigs should be different from their faeces place, and a nipple tap should be fix so they can drink water from. Don't just place water in a big bowl down for pigs. They will eventually litter the area, leaving them all in dirt.

Always clean a new pig when bought so it wouldn't infect the rest if it has a disease. And also, don't forget to clean their surroundings always. Put a large pool (if you can afford it) close to them so they can swim when they are feeling heat. 

Pigs eat a lot, so add a lot of water into their diet. Pigs need 15 litres of water. They also like soya foods. When rearing domestic pigs, according to your budget, you can buy 20 female and 2 male.

Best Food For Domestic Pigs

1. Palm kanel

2. Maize

3. Soya 

4. Spaint beans

5. Blood milk, and foods that contains Amino-acid. 

Remember, one male can serve 10 females. And it is recommended that you sell any female pig after two years.