Show pig feeds are in the 2% fat range.

Pigs are very efficient at converting feed to weight gain. Sound bone structure is not a high priority in an animal group where 90% are butchered at 6 months old - much the same as being a good mother is not that important in a dairy cow where the calf is taken away - often at birth - and raised on a bottle.

Pot Bellied Pigs are small mainly because they come from an area where it is easier to keep a 50 pound pig than an 800 pound one - much the same as Shetland ponies are small because of the harsh conditions on the Shetland Islands. Both tend to get bigger over generations when they are kept to modern standards.

It is very easy for a pig to outgrow its bone structure - I've seen many pictures where the lower legs just aren't doing a real good job of holding up the pig. This is something you may want to try to avoid.

Mimi

'When we stop learning, we die.'

I have rescued many house pets and they had grown so big and fat .That they could not walk.I had to put them on stricked diet and force them to walk. I would never breed an over weight pig. For one thing she will be heaver and also she will lay on the babies because she has a hard time getting up.

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Wish - you're right. They can get too heavy very easily. Those little feet don't hold up very well. It is hard to keep them slender. Have you ever tried just whole oats, mineral, and hay?

Mimi

'When we stop learning, we die.'

Ya. They eat hay and oats.But I find they get bored with whole oats. Gosh, makes me miss my guys.The babies would be a week old. They are so cute and fun to watch.It`s hard to believe how fast they learn.AmPugs, did you say you still have one?

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No, I don't have them any more. They were hardest hit by that farm because they rooted in the ground [I think] - anyway all the babies and the boars died - I gave the sows to a neighbor when I moved over here. My daughter showed a Hampshire sow in FFA her first year - and then switched to lambs.

Mimi

'When we stop learning, we die.'

I have 2 pbpigs. Hambone and Lilly. I feed 10% sweet feed (horse feed) and in a pinch will use dog food but they DO get too fat on Dog food diets. My piggies will eat about anything you give them.

It's a dog eat dog world, and I am wearin milkbone underwear!...unknown.

I've been looking at pig feeds most have 11% fat and up at least 3 that I can find my dog food has less than that I feed them.

You'd have to look at sow feed - most pig feeds are designed to put weight on on a real hurry. Show pig feed is low on fat, but usually runs $30 to $50 for a 50# bag. The horse feed suggested by Crittermom should work pretty well - and it's 'sweet' - coated with molasses - so they should like it.

Mimi

'When we stop learning, we die.'

This is a long shot...

Does anyone know of a place or someone in the Missouri area that would want a PB Pig? My mom has one and she is forced to move back towards Chicago and cannot take the pig with her.

Rob

Hey Rob, how's Kimmie?

ummmmmm who is kimmie?

Rob

There are many great rescues around your mothers area just do a pot belly pig rescue search. Hope one will help you out with this.

quote:

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Originally posted by john:
There are many great rescues around your mothers area just do a pot belly pig rescue search. Hope one will help you out with this.

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Yeah John, you rescue them and then serve em up for dinner!!

you need a life

quote:

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Originally posted by john:
you need a life

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oh, like yours? you are on here all the time...looks like you need a life, johnboy!!

I need Kimmi to give me another Job

Key, is that you?

.All for one, and one for all