Potbellies are good natured, social, intelligent, clean and affectionate.
They're hardy, don't get fleas (very rarely ticks) and are easy to care
for. Here's a care booklet we put together pig_care.pdf
(56k) (Download a free PDF reader Adobe
Acrobat Reader, or email for postscript(221k) or .doc(225k). ugly,
unformatted pig_care.txt(12k))
Bringing piggy home & first tips
These links may be broken, I'm looking into it:
Are these really pets
or simply swine?
How do I go about litter
training my pig?
Why does my pig keep gritting
her teeth?
Can I keep a pbpig in my county/city? Here's a partial
list.
For more reading about PBPs and "The Most Complete List of Pig Related Links Available Anywhere", check out Bacon's page.
The little piggies make great pets,
but they're not dogs! If you've never
owned a PBP or know little about them, please read accompanying info to
help you make an informed, responsible decision.
HINTS ON INTRODUCING YOUR NEW
PIGLET TO HER NEW FAMILY
Rule #1: Never force anything.
Rule #2: NEVER chase your piglet! She will always run faster
than you, and you will loose her
trust. It's better to work with her on a harness and leash so you
have control and she
doesn't run away.
THE CARRIDE HOME
Keep her in the carrier. This is her first carride and it will
be very stressful for her.
Expect that she will have and accident in her carrier. Do not
discipline her for this. Just clean it and ignore it.
Do not give her food during the ride, as she may vomit and/or choke.
You may give her water if it is going to be a long ride.
NEVER leave her alone in the car. Heat prostration sets in very
quickly in a stressed animal.
Talk very gently and calmingly to her.
WHEN YOU GET HOME
You should have a cage/crate/playpen already set up. This will not only be her litter training area but will also function as a "safe place" for her when she feels stressed.
Put her in the cage with her litter and some water. Wait about a half hour before giving her food, and then just a little at first until she calms down.
Give her blankets and any toys/stuffed animals you have and just leave her be for the first day and night.
Expect to hear some grunting/crying the first few days to a week. Remember, you may love her, but she doesn't know you! She misses her momma and her siblings. She is in a strange place with strange people and she will be very afraid. This will, of course, get better as time goes on...you just have to have patience.
Also expect some accidents. Even though she is fully littertrained here, she will be stressed and may "forget" temporarily. This is another reason why it is so important to keep her confined most of the time for the first few weeks. Then she will definitely know where she is supposed to toilet.
WIN HER TRUST
On the second day, begin winning her trust by sitting on the floor with food in you hand (she loves bananas !!) and let her come to you. As shes eating out of your hand, gently start rubbing her chin and as time goes on, move toward her belly. Soon (a few days-a week) she will be coming to you for food and letting you scratch all over her!!
Don't expect all of this in a day or two, it will take time....remember, she's very afraid of you.
Don't lunge at her or attempt to grab her as this will scare her and you will have to start over.
When she trusts you so you can pet her easily without scaring her, then
start trying to put a harness on her. At the same time you can start
getting her to come sit in you lap to eat.
You can then move up to cradling her then lifting her gently all the
way to picking her up.
CONCLUSION
You WILL win her trust if you follow these simple directions and
just have a little patience. Every
pig is different so some may take to you in a few days, some may take
a few months before they are totally comfortable with you. Just don't force
anything and you will soon have a best-friend-pig following you around
awaiting food and a belly rub!!!!
Maria
Any problems or questions, pleases call 301-829-5065 or 800-264-5146 X11
HINTS ON INTRODUCING YOUR NEW PIGLET TO HER NEW FAMILY
Rule #1: Never force anything.
Rule #2: NEVER chase your piglet! She will always run faster
than you, and you will loose her
trust. It's better to work with her on a harness and leash so you
have control and she
doesn't run away.
THE CARRIDE HOME
Keep her in the carrier. This is her first carride and it will
be very stressful for her.
Expect that she will have and accident in her carrier. Do not
discipline her for this. Just clean it and ignore it.
Do not give her food during the ride, as she may vomit and/or choke.
You may give her water if it is going to be a long ride.
NEVER leave her alone in the car. Heat prostration sets in very
quickly in a stressed animal.
Talk very gently and calmingly to her.
WHEN YOU GET HOME
You should have a cage/crate/playpen already set up. This will not only be her litter training area but will also function as a "safe place" for her when she feels stressed.
Put her in the cage with her litter and some water. Wait about a half hour before giving her food, and then just a little at first until she calms down.
Give her blankets and any toys/stuffed animals you have and just leave her be for the first day and night.
Expect to hear some grunting/crying the first few days to a week. Remember, you may love her, but she doesn't know you! She misses her momma and her siblings. She is in a strange place with strange people and she will be very afraid. This will, of course, get better as time goes on...you just have to have patience.
Also expect some accidents. Even though she is fully littertrained here, she will be stressed and may "forget" temporarily. This is another reason why it is so important to keep her confined most of the time for the first few weeks. Then she will definitely know where she is supposed to toilet.
WIN HER TRUST
On the second day, begin winning her trust by sitting on the floor with food in you hand (she loves bananas !!) and let her come to you. As shes eating out of your hand, gently start rubbing her chin and as time goes on, move toward her belly. Soon (a few days-a week) she will be coming to you for food and letting you scratch all over her!!
Don't expect all of this in a day or two, it will take time....remember, she's very afraid of you.
Don't lunge at her or attempt to grab her as this will scare her and you will have to start over.
When she trusts you so you can pet her easily without scaring her, then
start trying to put a harness on her. At the same time you can start
getting her to come sit in you lap to eat.
You can then move up to cradling her then lifting her gently all the
way to picking her up.
CONCLUSION
You WILL win her trust if you follow these simple directions and
just have a little patience. Every
pig is different so some may take to you in a few days, some may take
a few months before they are totally comfortable with you. Just don't force
anything and you will soon have a best-friend-pig following you around
awaiting food and a belly rub!!!!
Maria
Any problems or questions, pleases call 301-829-5065 or 800-264-5146
X11