Emola Farm sells feeder pigs at our farm in Mabank, Texas, about an hour southeast of Dallas. Feeder pigs are the animal we are asked for most often, and our inventory turns over regularly. Call 903-880-0124 to find out what we have on the ground today.
What Is a Feeder Pig?
A feeder pig is a young pig that has already been weaned off the sow and is eating on its own, sold to someone who will feed it out to market weight. The name describes the job: you are buying a pig to feed.
The animal has cleared the hardest stage of its life. It no longer needs the sow, it has learned to eat solid feed, and it has enough size to handle a normal pen and normal weather. That is what separates a feeder pig from a weaned piglet, and it is why feeder pigs are what most first-time pig raisers should be buying.
From there, a feeder pig grows out over a period of months to finished weight. How long depends on the breed, the feed, and the weather, and any farm that gives you an exact number without knowing those three things is guessing.
Who Buys Feeder Pigs
- Families raising their own pork. By a wide margin the most common reason. One or two pigs, grown out over the summer, processed in the fall.
- Small farms and homesteads. Pigs clear ground, turn scraps into food, and fit into an operation that already has other livestock.
- 4-H and FFA families. Youth show projects start with the right animal at the right time of year. If you are buying for a show, call early and tell us the show date.
- People feeding a crowd. Buyers who want a hog ready for a whole-hog cook at a specific date, working backward from that date.
Feeder Pig Breeds We Carry
Availability changes constantly, but the breeds we handle most often as feeders are:
- Berkshire feeder pigs — the choice when eating quality is the point. Berkshire pork is well marbled and is what a lot of buyers specifically ask for by name.
- Duroc feeder pigs — red, heavy muscled, and among the fastest growing. A strong option if you want weight on the animal quickly.
- Hampshire feeder pigs — black with the white belt. Lean and a common show ring choice.
- Yorkshire feeder pigs — white, large framed, and a reliable grower.
- Crossbred feeder pigs — often the best practical value. Crosses tend to be hardy and grow well, and for a freezer pig the breed matters less than the health of the animal.
We deal in domestic breeds only. We do not buy or sell wild hogs.
What to Ask Before You Buy a Feeder Pig
Buying a healthy animal is most of the battle. When you call us, or any farm, these are the questions worth asking.
- How long has it been weaned? A pig that was weaned yesterday is not a feeder pig yet.
- What has it been eating? You want to keep it on the same feed for the first week and transition gradually.
- Is it eating and drinking on its own? Watch the pig before you load it. A pig that is up, alert, and interested in feed is telling you what you need to know.
- Gilt or barrow? If you are feeding out for meat, either works. If you have any thought of breeding later, that changes the answer.
- What is it going to weigh at finish? Match the animal to your pen, your feed budget, and your timeline.
Getting Ready Before the Pig Arrives
Have all of this done before you come pick up an animal, not after.
Fencing That Actually Holds
Pigs root under fences rather than jumping them. Hog panels or heavy woven wire, well anchored at the bottom, are what hold. Ordinary field fence and single-strand wire will not. This is the number one thing new pig owners underestimate.
Shade and Water
Pigs do not sweat, and a Texas summer is genuinely dangerous to a hog with no shade. They need shade, constant clean water, and ideally a wallow or a way to get wet. Water consumption will surprise you.
Feed and Feeder
Buy the feed before you buy the pig. Ask what the animal has been eating and start there, then change over slowly across a week or more. An abrupt feed change is the most common cause of a setback in the first days at a new home.
Shelter
A simple three-sided shelter with dry bedding is enough. Pigs need somewhere out of the wind, rain, and direct sun.
Hauling
Bring a trailer or a livestock crate that is secure and has footing. Plan the trip so the animal is not sitting in a hot vehicle.
If you need hog panels, a pen, or gates built before your pigs arrive, we do fencing, custom gates, and welding as well. Some buyers have us set up the pen and pick up the pigs on the same trip.
Feeder Pigs Near Dallas, Tyler, and East Texas
We are at 759 VZ CR 2704, Mabank, Texas 75147, near Cedar Creek Lake in Van Zandt County.
That location is a straightforward drive from Gun Barrel City, Athens, Canton, Kaufman, Terrell, Corsicana, Forney, Rockwall, Tyler, and the Dallas and Fort Worth metroplex. Buyers looking for feeder pigs in North Texas or East Texas are generally within a reasonable drive.
Frequently Asked Questions About Feeder Pigs
Do you have feeder pigs available right now?
The specific animals change every week. Call 903-880-0124 and we will tell you exactly what is here, and we can send you a photo.
How much does a feeder pig cost?
It depends on weight, breed, and the current market, which is why we quote by phone rather than posting a number that goes stale. Call and we will give you today’s price.
Can I buy just one pig?
Yes. Many buyers take one or two. Pigs are social animals and generally do better with company, so buying a pair is worth considering if you have the room.
How long does it take to grow a feeder pig to market weight?
Several months, depending on breed, feed, and the season. Tell us your target date and we will help you work backward to the right starting animal.
Do you sell wild or feral hogs?
No. Emola Farm handles domestic breeds only.
Do you buy pigs too?
Yes. We buy and sell livestock continuously. Call us if you have pigs to move.