If you’ve decided to add pigs to your homestead, the next question is, “which breed?” I am partial to the heritage breeds because they do well on pasture. Initially we raised Tamworths, which we purchased from a breeder in the spring. We’d raise them through the summer and butcher them in the fall. For a variety of reasons, I decided I wanted to start breeding my own pigs, although I was very intimidated by the size of full-grown Tamworths and other breeds of pigs that I’d met.
Introducing … the American Guinea Hog! Its history is as mysterious as they come, but one thing is clear — it was the homestead hog of choice in the southeast U.S. during the 1800s. Less than a decade ago, it was almost completely extinct with less than 150 breeding animals known to exist! Today it is enjoying renewed popularity, and its numbers have been rapidly growing over the past few years. Why?
- It’s less than half the size of most hogs! While many breeds of hogs can get up to 800 or even more than 1,000 pounds, the AGH adult weight is usually in the 250 to 300 pound range. This small size was one of the reasons it almost became extinct. It definitely did not fit into the factory farm environment. However, that small size is exactly what makes it attractive to homesteaders and small farmers.
- It has a sweet personality! Pigs have a reputation for being vicious omnivores, killing and eating chickens that are unlucky enough to wander into the pig pen, and some have even been known to kill people. Guinea Hogs, however, have a very calm, docile nature. While this may not be important to huge confinement farmers, it is very important for small farmers who will be working closely with their pigs and who have other animals and don’t want to worry about the pigs killing them. Of course, there have been a few Guinea Hogs that were not so docile, but most breeders are quick to send them to meat locker and not use them for breeding stock, ensuring that the breed as a whole continues to have a great personality.
- It grazes! While some heritage breeds of pigs will eat grass when on pasture, the AGH love grass and gobble it up as voraciously as if it were eating chocolate truffles.
- It has lots of lard! Although the average American consumer began to reject lard after the invention of Crisco, many people are beginning to realize that they were duped by marketing and that lard can play a role in a healthy diet. If you are interested in self-sufficiency, having pigs is the easiest way to produce your own cooking fat. Although you could grow sunflowers, corn, or soybeans, extracting the fat is a big project. Rendering lard can be done in a slow cooker or in your oven without purchasing any fancy equipment.
- It has outstanding flavor! Chefs have begun to sing the praises of the Guinea Hog from South Carolina to Chicago. One chef called it the Kobe beef of pork. It is especially popular with chefs who want to use the whole pig from snout to tail, and it makes excellent charcuterie.
- Because of all the unique strengths and benefits of the American Guinea Hog, they are easier to sell than other breeds of hogs, which is a sixth benefit for those of us who can’t eat all of the pork that our pigs produce. Their small size makes them more attractive for urban dwellers to purchase as a whole hog, which is the easiest way for a homesteader to sell a pig. You simply have to find one customer who purchases the pig from you, and then you take it to the processor as a courtesy to the buyer. You get paid for the pig, and the buyer tells the processor how they want the pig cut up and processed and pay them directly. Because you are not selling meat — you sold a live animal — you don’t have to deal with getting a license to sell meat, nor do you have to have an expensive freezer for storing meat, waiting for individual customers to come buy it, one pound of bacon and one ham at a time.
When we raised Tamworths, a lot of people would only want half a hog because they couldn’t wrap their brain around the idea of having 175 or 200 pounds of pork! With the AGH dressing out at half that amount, the number of customers is greater.
Of course, the four reasons I gave for having pigs on the homestead a couple of weeks ago is also true for the AGH. That means there is a total of ten reasons to have American Guinea Hogs on your homestead!
With the number of registered AGH in the US now well over a thousand it is much easier than it was a few years ago to find breeding stock, although if you are just planning to raise them for meat, you don’t have to buy registered pigs. And if there are not any in your area, piglets can be shipped by air just like dogs and cats, so you can find a breeder in another state and have the pigs shipped to you. Since you are charged by weight or kennel size (depending upon airline), it’s a good idea to buy pigs that have just been weaned, so you can save on shipping costs.
If you are interested in getting started with AGH, check out the Breeder’s Directory on the website of the American Guinea Hog Association.
You've convinced me! I was going to go with Tamworths but I know how big they get. Thanks!
Jim and I had already decided to raise AGH when we get back to Missouri so your article just confirmed it for us. Thanks Deborah.
You’re very welcome! How exciting!
I'd never really thought about pigs (in spite of the fact I love bacon, sausage, ham, pulled pork,….etc.). With a grazing pig that won't attack birds or our dog and cats, and won't grow to be as big as my little Jeep, we could have the best of all meats! I also want to raise some pygmy goats. Do you know if thepigs and goats get along ttogether?
AGH get along with all types of livestock that we've seen. They've happily co-existed in a pasture with goats, chickens, ducks, turkeys, sheep, cattle, and a llama.
I have Guinea Hogs on my homestead. The boar rules the pasture. We have goats chickens ducks and Dexter cows. The boar does make sure his hurd has everything they need, he has not hurt any of my other animals but I am going to separate my cows from pigs. Goats have no problems at all.
I live in Southeast Iowa and will have piglets for sale in late spring!
How much do you sell them for ?
How much for piglets? Gilts & boar, different bloodlines?
can buy them for about 250 or more for piglets. Here is a link if ya need it 🙂 https://oldcrowefarm.com/heritage-livestock/american-guinea-hogs/buy-purchase/
I have Guinea hogs and goats and Dexter cows in the same pasture.
The boar does rule!!! He never bothers my goats at all sometimes he does chase the cows out of the barn. He is friendly to me and all the other pigs chickens ducks cats dogs. I think he just is showing dominants. Very good with the pigglets!
I have AGH. We love them. We live in Ohio. They get along well with other livestock, are friendly, graze well, are easy to handle and produce the best tasting meat and lard.
BTW, we have a litter ready to sell. Email me for more information.
Coberdor@yahoo.com
im very interested in buying some from you. I live in Indiana. I will send you an email.
We are in Western Oklahoma with piglets and young adults for sale!
Revjeanmichael@gmail.com
How much for piglets, gilts & boar? From different bloodlines?
I am happy to learn that there are AGP! I hope that i could fine ways and means to import a couple for breeding here in the Philippines
I just got American guinea hog how do I potty train her? Is that even possible ?
I have heard of people house training pigs, but personally I think they should be outside. They are also happier when they have another pig friend.
This is the way to go I see starting in late spring
I have a one year old AGH that I have had since she was 2 months old. We have always treated her as a pet – but not in the house as she does have a very nice stall with paddock. Dixie has always displayed very sweet and sensitive personality traits, but in the past couple of weeks she has been getting more and more aggressive. She doesn’t seem to feel poorly, she is eating well and looks good, but yet she is getting very aggressive to me, my dog and even ate one of our chickens! Last night, completely unprovoked, she grabbed my let and bit clean through my jeans! My vet said sows can get aggressive as they age – anyone else have this issue? Any recommendations?
I’ve never heard of this happening with an AGH gilt. If you don’t have any other pigs, it could be that she doesn’t have anyone who speaks her language. It’s always a good idea to have at least two of any species so they have a friend. It really is not a good idea for an animal to start to think of you as one of their herd because their ways of communicating can be dangerous for us fragile humans. Your vet’s experience is probably with commercial sows in confinement, and they are a totally different animal — plus they are not being raised in a natural environment.
Piglets available mid GA. Butts County. touchoflife33 at msn.com. Whole and halves avail fall
What are they crossed with? What is your area? I am looking for a new boar wanting a large hybrid
I have American Guinea Hog mix piglets that are 7 weeks. Please inquire at fundial44@gmail.com
What are they crossed with? What is your area? I am looking for a new boar wanting a large hybrid
We have a 325lb boar, he isn’t crossed pure guinea
We’re u located
We have 30 we are trying to sell. Eliminating them due to health reasons.
Are they registered and where do you live?
We are brand new to guinea jogs and bought a brother and sister to raise for meat in June. They have been doing great until all of a sudden our girl started acting like she was blind. She won’t lift her head much and just puts her nose down in the hay in her shelter. She still wanders and seems to graze and eat the food we bring right to her. Has anyone ever heard of anything like this? Her brother is still perfectly fine.
I have never heard of that happening. You might want to check with a vet. You could also mention it on the Thrifty Homesteading Facebook group to see if anyone there has experience that with pigs. If she seems unhappy or isn’t gaining weight, you might want to butcher her early.
Are there any AGH in Arkansas, Ft Smith area?
You can check the breeder’s directory on the website of the American Guinea Hog Association — https://guineahogs.org/member-directory/ — and if you don’t find anyone near you, you can also contact your regional representative — https://guineahogs.org/board-of-directors/
Twin pines horse ranch in Tahlequah Ok. Has some for sale. That is about 45 min from you.
I’ve been raising AGH for three years. While I enjoy the small size, it does take much longer for them to get to thier smaller slaughter weight. I slaughter at 18-24+ months and get 80-100lb hanging weight. It’s much easier for one person to deal with. They are fairly docile, but the market in Virginia and Carolina has gotten saturated, so selling the extras has become difficult in the last year. I’m practically giving them away, still few takers.
I have a unrelated gilt and boar ( under a year old) that I would like to breed. Can I keep them in the same pen, after she is bred? Should I separate once piglets born?
When we only had one pair, we let them stay together all the time. While this is not true of all hog breeds, AGH boars are very docile. Did you see the picture of the piglets trying to nurse off our boar while he was napping? I will also add that we do not wean our piglets. We let the mamas do that, which they do around 3-4 months. If you remove piglets for forced weaning at 2 months, the sow usually comes back into heat within a day or two.
Thank you very much!! So when we put them together, will there be endless matting activity, until she is pregnant ?
We had two young boars, and they mounted each other frequently…to say the least.
I totally agree with letting Mother’s nurse until they are done!! Makes for much happier and healthier piggies!!
Sows will only let the boars mate them if they are in heat, and like most livestock, it’s only for one day about every three weeks +/- 2 days. They will be very active on that one day, however, so if you’re around at all, you’ll see it (and hear it) and can mark your calendar.
You are fabulous, thank you!!
We live in the Interior of British Columbia, Canada, and have had quite the snowfall this year! Temps are warming up, so will put the 2 together in late March. Will let you know the outcome. Very excited!! There are very few AGH in my area.
I am located in Ontario and can not find AGH anywhere in this country! Do you still have AGH and are they registered?
If I am just buying feeders, what would be the difference between what would be 5-6 agh’s or 2-3 large blacks, berkies, or a heritage cross? The upfront cost would be less for the larger pigs due to pricing per pig and the feed consumption would be somewhat equivalent due to the fewer numbers. I also only have to slaughter and dress fewer animals on the back end. Any thoughts?
If you are just looking for pork, and you don’t mind dealing with larger hogs, then go with the larger hogs. The six advantages I outlined in this post are the reasons to get AGH. It’s not about cost.
Love my agh but can’t sell not one..people say there to small not quick growers thats why..if tbgey don’t taste good we will rid of them..had high hopes..canajoharie ny
What a great comment page! We raise AGH’s in Northeast Kansas and just had a litter. Very friendly and the meat is the very best.
I too am in NE Kansas, and would like to have a chat with you about these AGH for my farm.
I’m an older widow with no children. I’ve been bitten by the AGH and have a gilt now with a boar due to arrive later this month. I had to move Patty into the pen with a few chickens and mini dairy goats because my four small 4-6# dogs were giving her fits. Not hurting her but barking at her after she was with them three weeks. I think they were wanting her goats milk. LOL Anyway I’m hoping to be able to raise piglets to sell and butcher for my own use. I’ll be dispatching them at a young age since I have a 25# limit. I would like to know what grains are good for them and how much grain can be fed twice a day. I’m mixing a 16% pig feed and whole oats with goat milk twice a day. Maybe 1 cup feed and 1 cup oats and about a quart of milk each feeding. Some scraps, eggs, fresh grass clippings and hay. She also browses with the goats and chickens. Claremore, Oklahoma
When you say you’ve “been bitten by the AGH,” I do hope you mean metaphorically, as AGH are very docile. Your feeding plan sounds good, although a small pig probably couldn’t drink a whole quart of milk before they’re 25 pounds. I always say watch your animals. If they are growing well without excess fat, then you’re doing a good job. If they are dragging their belly on the ground or have trouble standing up from a laying down position, then you’re feeding too much grain.
Bitten as by the Love bug. She is almost four months old. I might be giving her more than she needs. I would guess she is in the 25# range. She has no problem running around and getting into and out of the water pool for her. It’s fun watching her come running when I’ve gotten to the barnyard with out her knowing until I call her name. Thank you for your help
How many AGH to graze per acre. Rich in grass, clover, etc. 3, 6,12. I have no idea.
If you do more than about six per acre, they’d probably start rooting fairly quickly.
I have 2 gilts from the same litter, now 2 years old. They run up to me when I’m out in the pasture with my goats expecting food. If I don’t have anything for them, they mouth my boots. One of them bit at my leg pretty hard, but didn’t pierce my jeans or skin. Can I train her not to do that? I smacked her on the flank, but that made her angry, and she kept mouthing my boots. Should I stop feeding them and let them just graze? Maybe they’ll leave me alone if I never have food?
If you stop feeding them they will become malnourished. They cannot survive on pasture alone, and if don’t feed them, they will just be even more hungry when they see you. That is not a typical AGH personality, and I wouldn’t want to breed a pig that’s aggressive because she might pass on her aggressiveness. It’s normal for pigs to be pushy, but they should not be biting at you. If you have ever hand-fed them, that can cause problems like this with some, so you should always feed them in a pan or on the ground.
Now how do you keep them in? I heard hogs are very hard on fences, do you use or have you ever heard of anyone having luck with an electric fence?
Pig panels work, as well as electric. Just be sure the electric is high enough that they can’t pile dirt on it when rooting. Single strands work, as well as the pig netting from Premier1. Don’t use the poultry or goat netting because it’s too close to the ground, so they can bury it.
I use the three different solar electric netting from Premier1. It does an amazing job for my American Guinea Hogs… no matter their age. The piglet fence worked for our piglets from day one. The hog net works well on young pigs that are large enough to move away from piglet fencing but can still sneak through the regular pig fence. Once they get some size, the regular pig fence (30 inches tall) works fine. We use in pasture and wood lot areas. Very versatile and easy to move. And our pastures come back looking even better after the hogs have moved through them.
What is the difference between these and Kunekune Hogs?
Thank you.
The size is similar, but AGH are only black, where KK can be other colors. I’ve never raised KuneKune so I’d be hesitant to say anything about the personality or taste of the meat.
Hi Deborah
I first thought that I would be getting chickens. Then you introduced goats. Now I am considering hogs. If you continue like this, I’m going to have a zoo.
Keep up the great work you do for us.
Starting with chickens is good. If that goes well, you can add another species a few months later, and so on. Definitely try to start small, although I know it can be challenging sometimes.
Would 2 pigs run away with out being fenced in? I live down a long drive way surrounded by a pond on one side, and tobacco fields on the other. I have about 12 ducks that also reside on the property. If they are fed there will it be their home or will they naturally take off?
Pigs will run off without a fence, AND predators will kill the pigs if they are not fenced in. Even domestic dogs kill livestock when they try to “play” with them.
After much research and finding this article, it’s a solid confirmation we’re going AGH’s here. Thanks for the information!
You’re welcome! I’m glad you found it helpful.
Thank you for all the newsletters! I love them! I want to get started in raising the AGH’s. I am a 68 yr old recently widowed fairly new farmer. I believe I can continue to build our small farm even without my husband. I surely appreciate your weekly emails.
You’re very much welcome. We’re glad to know that you love the weekly newsletters.
About building your small farm, maybe you can get some good tips from Brin, a single homesteader on this article – https://thriftyhomesteader.com/single-homesteader/
Tempting! Being able to run them with other livestock is such an advantage. If I decided to have a mating pair but didnt want continuous breeding, would you recommend a friend for the boar? Sort of how we place a wether with a buck?
Ally MA
It is not as important as having a companion for a goat. When we got started, we moved the boar to a neighboring pasture when the piglets were a few weeks old, so he shared a fenceline. He was a sweety with the piglets, but he started showing interest in the sow, and we didn’t want her to get pregnant again. A few years later we had a boar who was trying to mate a sow that had just given birth, so they really should not be together because you don’t know how they’ll react.