Considering buying a bred sow
Considering buying a bred sow
I am a 17 year old high school student, I've been showing pigs in 4-H since i was 9 and I love it. I am considering buying a bred sow. Before I make the purchase I would like to know how much you guys spend on feed per month (it doesn't have to be exact). Any other expenses you usually have per month? Also how much does it cost to give birth (estimate)? Any information you would like to give would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Re: Considering buying a bred sow
First, make sure who you're buying from has some sort of guarantee, otherwise if something happens and you lose the litter or sow, you won't get anything back out of your initial investment.
Feed: The cost will vary depending on your local prices and whether you buy in bulk or not, but with one sow you'd want to just buy the sow feed by the bag. My bulk price is $367/ton which comes to around $9.20/bag (your individual bag price will probably be more). Figure feeding 4# a day per sow during gestation. With 1 sow, you'd be looking at roughly 2.5 to 3 bags of sow feed per month or $27.60 a month to feed your sow.
When she pigs, you'll at least double the amount of feed you give her depending on the number of pigs she has. You'll be feeding her double for around 3-4 weeks depending on when you wean, so you'll want to figure that into things as well.
Farrowing: If you're going to buy a bred, and from the sounds of things, this may be your first time to raise a litter, I'd make sure you buy an actual sow that's had a litter and raised them. I'd stay away from the gilts. Potential for problems is higher in a gilt, not that they're non existent for a sow either though, just reduced.
Other Expenses: Vaccines, crate, heat lamp or mat, bedding for the little pigs when you wean, and starter feed.
Feed: The cost will vary depending on your local prices and whether you buy in bulk or not, but with one sow you'd want to just buy the sow feed by the bag. My bulk price is $367/ton which comes to around $9.20/bag (your individual bag price will probably be more). Figure feeding 4# a day per sow during gestation. With 1 sow, you'd be looking at roughly 2.5 to 3 bags of sow feed per month or $27.60 a month to feed your sow.
When she pigs, you'll at least double the amount of feed you give her depending on the number of pigs she has. You'll be feeding her double for around 3-4 weeks depending on when you wean, so you'll want to figure that into things as well.
Farrowing: If you're going to buy a bred, and from the sounds of things, this may be your first time to raise a litter, I'd make sure you buy an actual sow that's had a litter and raised them. I'd stay away from the gilts. Potential for problems is higher in a gilt, not that they're non existent for a sow either though, just reduced.
Other Expenses: Vaccines, crate, heat lamp or mat, bedding for the little pigs when you wean, and starter feed.