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  1. M.L. McKnight

    Rasing feeder hog

    If you're new to pigs then I'd suggest that you make a 32' X 32' pen using cattle panels and t-posts. 2x4 wire, chicken wire and even a single strand of electric wire have all been known to keep hogs in but I have yet to find one that can break out of a cattle panel pen. Panels are $18-$20 and...
  2. M.L. McKnight

    one thing no one mentiones when you start out with livestock

    Farming is a 24/7 365 job that is more of a lifestyle. Dragging yourself out of bed when you'd be better off in it is part of it.
  3. M.L. McKnight

    First piglets born....

    Puppies, little pigs and babies are all tied for 1st place. Baby goats are a close second.
  4. M.L. McKnight

    First piglets born....

    Losing little pigs can be a bit hard the first time but we've all been there, its just part of it. I bet with your next batch you'll do everything you can to avoid it happening again and will learn quite a bit. Hold those pigs upside down and they'll be less likely to squeal until you get them...
  5. M.L. McKnight

    Cattle Rustling

    Hang 'em high and feed the coyotes.
  6. M.L. McKnight

    First piglets born....

    Good job with your litter! I was tickled pink with my first batch on the ground so I know the feeling. Your sow will turn from the cute cuddly pet pig she was into a four legged land shark of a beast when those pigs get to squealing (my Red Wattle sow nearly got me a time or two with her first...
  7. M.L. McKnight

    Pig breeds known for small litters

    I have zero trouble selling my pigs, I could have litter sizes of 100 and still not have enough! People are always going to eat pork and they fit nicely in your own freezer too. Durocs actually make decent mommas, I'd suggest that you cross it with a Chester White or a Landrace. That would make...
  8. M.L. McKnight

    Pig breeds known for small litters

    If you have a pig that only gives you 3-4 pigs then it will most likely be a younger gilt that didn't have a healthy pregnancy. Most breeds are going to give you 8 pigs per litter on average. You could look into mini pigs and see what they'd give you in terms of litter size if you are wanting...
  9. M.L. McKnight

    Opinions and insight please ( studding out ram )

    I'm pretty tardy to the party here but I will offer my two cents. I don't have any sheep but I can tell you what I do with my boar. I have a registered purebred Berkshire that I offer for stud. I did my homework and found a boar that I felt would impact my herd and he wasn't cheap so I price his...
  10. M.L. McKnight

    How bad is pig feed for goats?

    Pig feed isn't really bad for goats, it is usually just made of stuff that goats don't need. Acidosis may become a problem if they eat too much and corn isn't really good for bucks but if your herd is just being true to their kind, sneaking out, scaling walls and inventing new ways to give you a...
  11. M.L. McKnight

    opossum

    Give a good dog an hour and scoop it up with a shovel.
  12. M.L. McKnight

    Mineral Tubs for Cattle

    I keep mineral salts blocks in with them at all times. The tubs are the ones with the cottonseed meal, feather meal, minerals and molasses binder. I picked up one at the COOP, put it in the bucket of my tractor and dropped it off in the pasture. So far so good. I had to make sure that I didn't...
  13. M.L. McKnight

    Mineral Tubs for Cattle

    I have raised my cattle on grass and have been satisfied with the results. My bulls get a touch of feed on occasion but other than that I like raising grass-fed beef. A buddy of mine swears by mineral tubs, I know that they will cease being "grass fed" once I plop a tub in the pasture for them...
  14. M.L. McKnight

    what should a person have on hand when starting out with swine

    8. a trailer or pen to haul them in 9. an old tire, basketball or bowling ball for them to play with 10. a sturdy syringe and 14 gauge needles 11. a bottle of durapen 12. a few books on raising hogs so you can get different takes on the joy of it all 13. a few old feed books 14. the number of a...
  15. M.L. McKnight

    Potbellied Pig with tusk growing in cheek

    One of those snares will work in a pinch if you can get it to secure to the pigs snout, I have tried and failed miserably when using those in the past. I'd give that pig 1cc of durapen per 100 lbs, and maybe an additional 1cc for good measure. Try that and a dose of blukote.
  16. M.L. McKnight

    Brittle bones?

    Dairy products, eggs shells and calcium rich foods should help your pig avoid any problems with brittle bones. Don't over do it, just add some to her ration and you won't have to worry.
  17. M.L. McKnight

    Potbellied Pig with tusk growing in cheek

    I'd suggest that you get a wire limb saw (also called a backpacking saw, wire saw, hiking saw, etc.), loop it around his tusk and saw it off. He won't like it so give him a few quiet pills that you'd give a dog to calm him down or you could give him some dried raspberry (it works on my horses)...
  18. M.L. McKnight

    what do you use to treat scours

    I like to start with a cup of dry oatmeal in their feed. If that doesn't work, I mix up a batch of electrolytes.
  19. M.L. McKnight

    Chicken Chasing in a Usually Well-Behaved Dog - Ideas?

    Find yourself an ornery old rooster and put a hen saddle on him. Pour some mint oil on the saddle and put him in there with your pup while then others are confined to the coop. I've had success with this method. That rooster will hold his own better than a hen and your pup will get mint oil in...
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