My very naughty pig

[Ctaylordubois]

Hello! I am new to the group. I wanted to join because I need guidance with some of my animals. Especially my pig.
His name is Mr. Bean and he is almost 2years old. He recently learned how to get out of my chain link fence and has become quite a problem with my neighbors. He is acting hungry all of the time and I think with limited grass in my back yard due to cold temps he needs more food but I don’t want to overfeed him. What could be causing him to suddenly get so ravenous. Could he have worms or some other ailment? I don’t know but he is hell bent on getting out and eating the neighbors animal food. Please advise.

 

[Youngfarmer2019]

Hi there! I have pigs and have successfully kept them in chain link by bordering the entire bottom of the fence with a board at least 6 inches wide by an inch thick and stapling the chain link to that board and securing the board to each post in the ground. More than likely with the plummeting temps he'll be wanting more food, mine certainly do! He probably wants to escape and eat the neighbors animals food bc he found something he really likes!!

 

[Mini Horses]

Give him some good grass hay to eat and a nice pile of srW to snuggle into at night....in a crate. Toss some veggies to him. Pigs love that.

 

[farmerjan]

Questions..... What kind of pig? Male / female / or barrow (fixed male)..... HOW BIG ? What is he getting fed ? Until the basics are addressed there is no way to narrow down why he is getting out. Is he by himself? Pigs like company.... What is his purpose in life? Pet or food?
Where do you live and what are the local/city/county/state regulations??? If the pig is a nuiscance, can they confiscate him? Or worse, dispose of him? Not trying to be a jerk, these are legitimate questions that can have very different answers in different places. Asking for general location... Minnesota would have different suggestions than Florida....
Chain link is not good fence for an animal that has more power in their nose than some bull dozers if they are determined to "get out" .... solid around the bottom, like @Youngfarmer2019 is pretty much a given... and for many, a strand of HOT electric may be necessary....

 

[farmerjan]

Also, unless you are in a place where it is getting into the growing season, no amount of dry mature grass is going to keep them satisfied nor will it provide the nutrients they need... another reason for a general location/state/area to know what the pastures/field conditions are.

 

[Baymule]

What breed? If it’s a Kune Kune or Idaho Pasture Pig, that’s supposed to subsist on grass, that doesn’t always work. If a large breed pig, the rules change dramatically.

 

[luvmypets]

I also wanna add one thing I’ve observed is that pigs only really try to escape if there is something they are lacking in their current environment. Thats what mine used to do at least until they were given what they needed. Now they are fat happy and havent tried to escape in a long time as far as I know.

 

[Ctaylordubois]

Thank you all for your insights. I think you are all right to some extent. He is definitely hungry and here in VA the weather has gotten colder and the grass in his back yard is not too good to eat. I keep it very well in the summer but he needs something else now that it has thinned out. I will see about getting some grass for him and increasing his mini pig maintenance pellets. He gets lots of snacks these days - ie, lettuce, squash, apples, and sweet potatoes. As far as company is concerned, he has a love/hate relationship with my German Shepard so I leave them out together when I can monitor them. He is with me and my chihuahua every night as well as a few cats and a kitten. He is a Kune Kune, potbelly cross. He is house trained, and very sweet. He loves belly rubs and cuddles.
I will continue to keep you all updated on his diet and hunger issue. It does stand to reason that the food intake is an issue. If you know of any source for grass that I can buy

 

[Baymule]

Can you get a bale of alfalfa? They are available at most feed stores, but they are usually 100 pounds.

 

[Mini Horses]

Piggie minerals ?