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Small Scale Pig Farming in Ontario

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Whether you have two, 20, or 200 pigs in Ontario, it is important to be aware of the management and welfare requirements of the swine industry. Also of the traceability requirements for movement of animals between farms and to slaughter.

Even if this is not your first time raising pigs, you may still have questions about their feeding, management, health, government regulations or mandatory requirements for raising pigs in Ontario.

Ontario Pork has complied a how-to-guide to help small scale producers or hobby farmers raising pigs in Ontario. This guide is intended for those raising weaned pigs through growing and finishing to slaughter weight, but does not contain information on the management of sows, breeding or farrowing.

If you have questions or need further information about small scale pig production/hobby pig farms in Ontario, please contact the Industry and Member Services Team [email protected] or 1-877-668-7675

4 things to consider before buying pigs

  1. Have you booked a butcher? Many abattoirs in Ontario are booked months in advance. Commercial breed pigs typically go to market around 6 months of age. Larger pigs may be difficult to process.

  2. Have you registered for PigTrace? Pigs must have a PigTrace number and ear tag in order to be moved between premises, or to an abattoir. Contact [email protected] to get registered

  3. Do you know what to feed – and what not to feed? It’s illegal to feed pigs meat or food scraps that may have come into contact with meat. Doing so greatly increases the risk of disease.

  4. Do you have secure housing? Pigs are escape artists that can dig and climb. Escaped animals quickly become feral, and become a risk to people, animals and crops.

Raising Backyard Pigs Information Poster

Keep your pigs safe from disease.

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