Most pig farmers buy “weaners,” piglets about two or three months old that are no longer reliant on their mother's milk; they then raise the pigs to slaughter weight (typically about 250 pounds), which on factory-style farms is attained by the time they're 6 months old.

When should I buy a piglet?

Usually, the most common time to buy piglets is in the spring, but if you have the abilities necessary to raise pigs through the winter, you'll save a lot of money by buying them in the fall. Most piglets are sold before 8 weeks of age.

How do you pick a healthy pig?

Judges look for pigs that are well built from the ground up. It's not enough to look at a show pig's muscle shape while in the pen. When selecting your show pig, it's best to get them out of the pen to assess soundness and how they move. Look for solid, wide toes pointed in the same, forward direction and stout legs.