Helpful how-to’s: Owning Pigs as Pets (part three)
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"Hey everyone, welcome back! In case you missed Part 1 & 2, we’re thrilled to introduce you to the newest additions to Dalby Farm—two now 5-month-old Ossabaw Island hogs who joined our family this September 2024! We’ve been getting some great questions about what it’s like bringing these little guys home to our family farm, so today we’re answering some of the most common ones about raising these curious, lively piglets!
How much space do these pigs need as babies?
When you bring home a young Ossabaw pig, they don’t need quite as much space as an adult—though trust us, they’ll still find ways to fill up every inch they can! For now, they’re getting used to a cozy pen with plenty of room to explore and practice their rooting. But as they grow, we’re already planning to expand their space by removing the make-shift barrier0 to ensure they have plenty of room to roam, dig, and be the happiest pigs. These guys love to get into everything, so the more space, the better!
What are these piglets eating?
Right now, they’re on a balanced diet that includes high-quality hog feed to ensure they’re growing strong and healthy. But like all pigs, they also enjoy fresh veggies, fruits, and a good snack whenever we’re out in the yard. And you know what? They’re already showing their curious nature—they’ve been digging around in the soil, eating bugs, and nibbling on everything in sight. Not only that, but we had a ton of fun with our toddler enrichment groups this past fall introducing Pablo and pickles to different fruits each week! We’ll be keeping an eye on their diet to make sure they get the right nutrients as they grow, but they sure love to snack all day!
How are the piglets adjusting to their new home?
To be fully honest?! These little guys made themselves at home within a day (or even a few hours) of their arrival! Ossabaw Island hogs are known for being affectionate and intelligent, and we’ve seen that in action. It helps that they traveled from Conner Prairie together as brothers from the same litter.
But within days they recognized us, our voices and even come over for a pet! At the time of making this video, if any of us come into their view up in the yard- you can be sure they will literally start squealing until you walk over and see them if not feed them a treat. We are overjoyed with this transition of new life in the absence of our beloved Pumpkin.
How do you train piglets?
Training these piglets has already been a lot of fun! Pigs are super smart, and they’re picking up on simple commands quickly. Right now, we're starting with basic things like “All Done” and “No Touch,” using treats, love and praise. They’re so food-driven that training with positive reinforcement is going really well. It’s also about establishing routines—pigs are creatures of habit, and consistency is key.
You should see them at dinner time. My mom says if she doesn’t sit and snuggle with them after every supper, they won’t eat their dessert hay!
How long will these piglets live?
Ossabaw Island hogs, like their older relatives, can live 15 to 20 years with the right care. Remember, Pumpkin was approaching 19 by the time he had to leave us. So, even though they’re just little babies now, we’re planning for a long, happy life with these three! It’s a big commitment, but we’re excited to see them grow and become part of our farm family.
Thanks for joining us on this exciting new chapter here at Dalby Farm. We’re excited to share more of their journey with you, from their playful moments to their adorable personalities as they grow. Be sure to hit subscribe so you don’t miss out on what’s next—we’ll be sharing more updates as these little pigs continue to settle in and become a bigger part of our family!"