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At about four weeks, or 15 to 20 pounds, the piglets are weaned, and typically follow one of two avenues. The first is referred to as a wean-to-finish system. The piglets would move directly into a finishing barn and grow in the same barn to market weight or 260 pounds. The second common system moves piglets into a nursery until they reach 50 pounds when they would be moved into a finishing barn and grow to 260 pounds.
So, pigs may live at two or three different farms throughout their life. Baby pigs have much different needs that an older growing pig. This allows for specialization. One method is a different group of people managing the various farms to allow for each of them to become experts in a specific segment of the pig's life. Sometimes business arrangements, or contracts, are designed to involve more farmers. Please see video #2 featuring Ryan McClure who is a "contract grower."
So, pigs may live at two or three different farms throughout their life. Baby pigs have much different needs that an older growing pig. This allows for specialization. One method is a different group of people managing the various farms to allow for each of them to become experts in a specific segment of the pig's life. Sometimes business arrangements, or contracts, are designed to involve more farmers. Please see video #2 featuring Ryan McClure who is a "contract grower."
