How big do pot-bellied pigs get?
Piglet size does not always predict adult size. A new pig owner can be forgiven for thinking that a baby pig is going to remain the same small-sized animal it is when a young teen or older child. Pigs grow at different rates and there are a lot of factors that determine how big a pot-bellied pig will get.
The following article will give you some tips on how to estimate your pig’s adult weight, age, and expected size, as well as what you need to consider before getting a pot-bellied pig in the first place!
How big do pot bellied pigs get?
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Piglets can double their birth weight by seven weeks of age so they don’t stay very tiny for long but this chart gives an idea of the average adult weight of different breeds.
Breed Type of Pig Average Full Grown Weight Mini Pig (Pot Bellied) 50-70 pounds Feral Hog 180-220 pounds Large White Yorkshire 120-140 pounds Mule Foot 130-150 pounds Tamworth 110-130 pounds Gloucester Old Spot 85-95 pounds Berkshire 70-80 pounds Hereford 60-70 pounds
The Feral hog is not actually a breed but rather a type of pig mix known as “freedom ranger” which refers to pigs that are descended from farm stock but have adapted or reverted back to feral behaviours after they escaped into the wild. This means they are pretty much in their natural ancestral state, making them very hardy animals with good foraging abilities compared to domesticated pigs.
The Gloucester Old Spot is an old breed of domestic pig dating back to the 1700’s.
The name comes from the fact that this was once a popular breed in the county of Gloucestershire, England. This breed is considered endangered because it has not been very commercialized for pig farming, despite its good taste and meat qualities.
When will my pot-bellied pig reach full size?
There are several factors that determine how big your pot-bellied pig will get. Genetics plays by far the biggest role but you can influence things slightly with some tricks and tips so read on!
How long do pot-bellied pigs live?
Pot Bellied Pigs can actually outlive dogs so don’t think they’ll just be around for a few years. On average, pigs live to around 15 years but there are recorded cases of some living to 20 years old or more with good care.
The most important factor in how big do pot bellied pigs get is genetics . Other factors are how well you care for your pig and whether it is allowed to exercise enough.
Some breeds like the Gloucester Old Spot tend to grow slower than other breeds which means they will take longer before reaching their full adult size.
If you purchase a Gloucester Old Spot piglet, don’t expect it to double its weight by seven weeks like some other breeds – this isn’t necessarily a bad thing though as long as you know what you’re getting into!
How much space will my pot-bellied pig need?
Pigs are very social animals. They are not right for an owner who is out at work all day long and wants a small pet to leave in the backyard alone or to keep in a hutch or cage because they simply need too much mental stimulation to be happy living this way.
Pigs will become depressed if left alone for too long so it’s important to get two of them if you can’t be around to provide enough attention. Pigs should never be kept outside unless the area is fully fenced, escape-proof and predator proofed!
Even then, pigs that are confined outside often develop health problems like obesity due to lack of exercise which makes caring for pot bellied pigs expensive!
If you want your pig to live a long, healthy life it should be kept indoors unless you are there to provide them with enough attention.
When it comes to space, the general rule is that bigger is better. If your pig lives in too small of an area for its whole life or spends most of the day sitting down because they have no room to roam around, it will become very unhappy and unhealthy which can lead to behavioral problems like aggression towards people or other pigs.
That’s why all pot-bellied pigs need plenty of space – not just when they are young but throughout their whole lives! A good-sized indoor pen for one pot bellied pig would be at least 6ft x 6ft, this allows them plenty of wallow room as well as roaming room.
Do pot-bellied pigs need a lot of food?
Pot-bellied pigs should be fed 2-3% of their body weight each day in high quality pig feed. If you are unsure what this means, it basically comes down to feeding them as much nutritious food as they can eat within about 25 minutes once or twice per day.
It may seem like a lot but the extra food helps maintain their energy levels so they have enough to go about their daily lives!
You can also give them fresh fruit and vegetables (except for citrus fruits, onions or anything poisonous) along with hay for added nutrients. The old saying “a pig is only as fat as it’s appetite” is certainly true because pigs that become obese will eat until they’re full and won’t stop until they’re so fast that they can barely move.
How do pot-bellied pigs communicate?
What sounds do pot bellied pigs make? Pot Bellied Pigs are very vocal animals so here is a list of the noises you’ll hear from them:
1) Grunts – many people mistake these for groans but there’s a difference! Grunts usually mean the pig is contented, happy and relaxed. It also means “let me out” when your pig makes this noise through the bars of his pen or cage!
2) Giggles – your pig might giggle when it knows it has done something wrong and is hoping you don’t realise (like stealing the one last apple slice from your plate!)
3) Growls – these are similar to the sounds a dog makes when it’s warning another animal that it means business! Some pot bellied pigs will growl when they’re playing with other people.
4) Moans – this noise usually means your pig is in pain or distressed, never ignore unusual noises from your pet because they could be trying to tell you something isn’t right! How do I recognise if my pot bellied pig is bored? A bored pig can become destructive, this is especially true if it has nothing to play with in its pen. When pigs don’t have any toys they will start chewing on whatever they can find in their pen.
They might even attempt to eat whatever you leave them alone with so exercise is very important! Keep your pig contained in a large, well-fenced area that’s easy to clean and provides lots of room for pot-bellied pigs to roam about.
You might want to consider buying a few toys for it so it has something fun to do when you’re not there! Otherwise, they can become very bored and unhappy.
Always provide plenty of space for your pot-bellied pig whether you intend on keeping it indoors or outdoors. If the weather permits, let them outside most days but make sure your yard is safe from predators before letting your pig out! If you live in an apartment building you might need to keep your pet in an indoor pen with plenty of toys.