Raising a pig for meat is easy to do, even in a small space like a suburban backyard. In just five months, a 30-pound sh
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English Pages 256 [257]
Table of contents :
Cover
Homegrown Pork
Title
Copyright
Dedication
Contents
Preface
PART 1: Meet the Pig
CHAPTER 1: History
Man Tames the Pig
The Rise of Market Pigs
CHAPTER 2: Physiology and Behavior
Pig Intelligence
The Five Senses
Pig Hierarchies
Basic Behaviors
CHAPTER 3: Handling
Taming Wary Pigs
Lifting
Moving
Restraining
Hauling
PART 2: Purchasing and Raising
CHAPTER 4: Breeds
Choosing a Breed
Types of Pigs
Common Breeds
Rare Breeds
Unusual Pigs
CHAPTER 5: Buying
Where to Buy
Visiting Farms
Bringing Pigs Home
CHAPTER 6: Housing, Fences, and Equipment
Shelters
Pens
Fences
Wallows
Furnishing the Shelter or Pen
CHAPTER 7: Feeding
The Pig’s Digestive System
Commercial Rations
Supplementary Feeds
What Not to Feed
Pig Manure
CHAPTER 8: Health
Finding a Good Pig Vet
Giving Shots
Treating Minor Problems
Checking Vital Signs
Common Illnesses
Heat Stress
Poisoning
Parasites
PART 3: From Pig to Pork
CHAPTER 9: To the Slaughterhouse
Slaughter Options
Taking Your Pigs for Processing
Pork Cuts at a Glance
Cutting Your Own Pig
CHAPTER 10: Home Processing
Curing Pork
Smoking Pork
Canning Pork
Freezing Pork
Homemade Sausage
Rendering and Using Lard
Cooking Pork
Appendices
APPENDIX 1: Pig History Timeline
APPENDIX 2: Build Your Own Pig Ark
APPENDIX 3: How to Shoot a Pig
Glossary
Bibliography
Resources
Index