I get asked this question all the time, “Why are your mini pigs so expensive?”  Let me tell you, it irritates me!  I know anyone can go to a farm, pick out a pig for $50 and (once they catch it) take home their new baby.  But really, is that what you want??  A piglet born in a barn with little to no interaction with people?  I used to think that was normal too.

PIGLETS THAT MAKE GREAT PETS

Now that I am raising mini pigs, I want to make great pets not just produce pigs and pass them off as great pets.  That means that I do everything in my power to socialize all of our piglets.  Does this mean that I bring them in after weaning them?  Keep them inside for 2 weeks and then ship them off to their new homes??  No.  I bring each momma inside when she is getting close to farrowing.  I sit with her and comfort her through each contraction.  I hold and touch and carry each piglet every single day.  My 2 boys and husband also help by touching them and playing with them every day.  We love each and every pig that we take care of.  My goal is to give each pig a wonderful quality of life.  I feel I owe them so much.  They aren’t just an animal to me – they are family.

JP GIVING GEORGIE A KISS

Because of our concern for each piglet, we spend a lot of time with them.  Besides holding them, we bathe them weekly, take pictures and videos every day, watch them play, watch how their mother corrects and nurtures them, and watch their personalities come out.  We also teach them that family life is safe and fun by not changing our routine to spare them.  We run the sweeper and washing machine, watch tv, the kids run, slam doors, run up and down the stairs, giggle, wrestle, play, and laugh.  By the time our piglets leave they are very used to the daily routine of a family.

Countless hours go into socializing, trips to vet, weaning, trips to feed store, baths, pictures and videos, beginning training,  the list goes on and on.  We also spend a lot of time screening potential families.  Once a family has been approved, we make sure they are properly educated on what to expect with their new pet.

EXPENSES INVOLVED

There are many expenses that go into raising mini piglets and a breeding pair of pigs.  One of the biggest is getting the piglets vetted and fixed.  It can be difficult to find a vet that will treat mini pigs.  To get a mini piglet fixed can cost anywhere from $75-$850. (American Mini Pet Pig Association)We spay and neuter all of our piglets. Our vet is very knowledgeable about pigs.

Besides the vet bills, there are costs involved with parent care, formulas, structures, electricity, heating and cooling, food, litter, straw, beds, toys, treats, leashes, harnesses, crates, business costs, and even emergencies that have to be factored in.

All of our piglets go home with a  Welcome Kit that includes a kennel, blanket, toy, food, harness, leash, health certificate from vet check, birth certificate, health guarantee and instructions on what to do once your piglet is home.  We also offer pig support.  I will be available to help with any problems or questions that come up for the life of your pig.

IN CONCLUSION

In reality, mini pigs are really just small farm pigs.  There is no difference but the size.  Pigs have to be taught that anything different from living in a barn with straw and rooting in earth for bugs and roots is still a good life.  Its not easy to make piglets good pets but we do all we can here to make them the best pets possible.  And, yes, they cost money.  But really, you get what you pay for- when it comes to pigs especially.