2 pigs better than 1. They are competitive eaters and like companionship. They will be healthier and happier with 2. Easy to castrate male baby pigs, but have a vet or someone experienced do it. Don't know about female neutering, but it would be more expensive, for sure. The larger the pig, the better the fencing. Movable pen? The pigs will help you move it. They can dig under it, fit through small spaces and are very smart/persistant/stubborn and will figure out gate latches. They do make good garden tractors. They are a challenge, great fun and will make you laugh.

"They say" that electric fencing is the best way to go for pigs. Some of the systems are reasonably portable. I like the idea of raising a couple of weaner pigs for the freezer, but haven't done enough research yet. Perhaps someone out there will be able to confirm or refute the advisability of using electric and/or provide specifics of what would be needed.

If you do a search on this forum for pig or hog, you will come up with some posts on the behavior of pigs, fencing, etc. We would use hog panels (from the farm store), steel posts and anchored corner posts. Along the inside of the hog panels we would run an electric wire attached with insulators. If you toss some pigs into a pen that only has electric wire, they will no doubt spook and run through the fence--never mind that it is hot, and you may never see them again except for once in a while you will get that strange feeling that you are being watched. :; We also used "port-a-huts"--sort of individual-sized galvanized steel hoop houses for shade & protection from rain, etc. We drove stakes into the ground to anchor them down, otherwise, they would have been moved and pushed against the fence. Also try doing a google or yahoo search on "raising hogs on pasture". You will probably find many informative sites. Pigs raised on pasture will need to be wormed periodically.

You have an excellent idea.

I've raised a lot of pigs. Pigs get large - very large. I would not, personally, consider raising a pig that I intended to keep for the long term, especially a potbellied. Believe me, a 400 (or much more) pound pig eats a lot, the vet bills could be astronomical as they age and they need care and attention at least twice a day, every day. Plus they tell me the potbellied is not a good meat animal.

That said, the idea is wonderful. You got good advice about fencing if you can sort out a solution that'll work for you. Pigs are a blast to raise. Get yourself two feeder pigs, raise them together and have them slaughtered when they hit about 225 to 250. Unless you have a large family, I'd suggest finding someone to buy the extra pig and maybe pay the feed bills for both in return for your work raising them.

Myself, I like at least a 10'x20' area for the pigs with 1/2 that in shade. Remember to give them water at ALL times and a place to wallow in the heat - pigs don't sweat and so must be kept cool. You'll be surprised at how clean and smart pigs are. And tasty, too.

If you do it, have fun and feel free to email me for help - we really enjoyed our pigs and we're always happy to help other pig farmers get started.

Many thanks for all the great replies.

I would consider a smallish breed and keeping it, as there would be places to root up and fertilize probably a couple times a year. I can't always get a farm-type piglet, but I can almost always get a potbellied.

This would be instead of a tractor. I figure, it would be the time, feed and vet bills versus purchase, fuel and upkeep on a small tractor, and would probably work out to be more economical for us to get the pig(s).

I will do more research on fencing. At present, the field is quite overgrown, and that precludes elec. fence unless I cut down a big swath of 4 ft weeds - by hand :-/.

Can I attach a row of barbed wire on the inside of the pen near the bottom to forestall rooting under?

I've heard that a lot of so-called potbellies are actually hybrids which get much larger. I'd check into the parentage if you want a smallish one.

Regarding the barbed wire. Our farmstead had been farmed for many years. Old barbed wire fence, long forgotten, kept popping up from where it had been buried under the dirt. One of our young pigs got its head wrapped up in the barbed wire and his neck was cut just about all around his head. My DH had worked with the vet as a kid, and we decided to sew the skin together, or the pig would surely die (being a "for profit" farm, it did not pay to call in the vet). We sewed the pig up and he lived; however, apparently the stitching was not all that professional and the pig bore a striking resemblance to Frankenstein. So, he was nicknamed "Frankie." So, I am not in favor of barbed wire.

In regards to your long grass and electric fence. We happened to buy an old scythe for my antique implement collection. In areas where it was impractical to mow, my DH would grab the scythe and knock down the grass under the electric fence. When I had too many pigs to fit in the farrowing or nursery barns, we put the small pigs in a fenced in area. There was long grass around the area and I did lose a few pigs to a fox, I believe. The long grass made for a good hiding spot for the fox. Always something to think about. . .

You may consider getting a pair of Ossabaw Island pigs and helping to save a vanishing -- and relatively tiny-- breed. (That you could eat in a pinch, too.) See:

http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/swine/ossabawisland/index.htm

I'd really like to get Ossabaw Island pigs, and I'll look into it.

I researched American Guineas but they're darned expensive - $300 apiece was a price I found. Yikes.

There seem to always be potbellieds that were pets and are being discarded. If a rescue org wouldn't mind that the pig would live outside, it could have a "working" home with us.

Yes! Please consider adopting a pot bellied pig! I have the url for one group: http://www.pigs4ever.com/
If you have a local livestock auction house you might be able to find one there too.
As long as you provide the shelter they need there isn't any problem in keeping them outside. Mine prefer to live outside.
A pot that has been fixed would be your best bet...and it's better for the pig.
I just love my pots. They each have their own personalities and are just fun to be around.
Feeding isn't a big expense either. Mine eat pot bellied pellets and only eat one cup twice a day. They also graze and root around and get fruits and vegetables that are in season.
I'm glad your considering adopting a pot. There are so many adults that need homes. Keep us updated!
Carrie