Vet on call: There is more to pig rearing than just pork
A farmer feeds his pigs in Elburgon, Nakuru County. A majority of people concentrate on keeping slaughter pigs. The most common slaughter pig is the baconer and is normally sold at the age of five and a half to six and a half months. PHOTO | JOHNNJOROGE | NMG
The sentimental value of animals is good but it does not pay bills. I advise farmers to love their animals for peace of mind and sell them for financial gain.
One needs to understand the business and seek professional aid to facilitate its establishment and running. This new crop of farmers is challenging to animal health and production service providers.
A majority of people concentrate on slaughter pigs. The most common slaughter pig is the baconer and is normally sold at the age of five and a half to six and a half months.
Every farmer should have own sows and boars. Sharing is discouraged to avoid inbreeding and the spread of diseases.
In my work of delivering animal health and production services for 30 years, I have come to discover that livestock farming is interesting, unpredictable, profitable and loss-making too. It is also satisfying and sentimental.
Farmers must decide how they want to define their practice, depending on what they expect to get.
