Know your hogs: A Practical, Funny, and Slightly Muddy Guide to Raising Pigs

Know Your Hogs
A Practical, Funny, and Slightly Muddy Guide to Raising Pigs
by Peter Alcott

Whether you're dreaming of bacon or just tired of mowing the back pasture, Know Your Hogs is your boots-on-the-ground guide to raising pigs with purpose, humor, and a whole lot of heart.

Written for new homesteaders, 4H families, and anyone who’s ever looked at a pig and thought, “I could raise that,” this book walks you through every step of the journey—from picking your first piglet to smoking your own bacon.

Inside, you'll find:

• Real-life housing setups, including a low-cost hut build

• Nutrition science explained in plain language

• Feeding strategies, growth math, and feed logs

• Breeding, farrowing, and piglet care (with stories, disasters, and tips)

• Butchering and curing — at home or through a processor

• Pork cut breakdowns, lard rendering, and DIY recipes

• Historical pig facts, folklore, and Bible mentions

• Handy charts, health logs, and printable templates

All told in a voice that’s equal parts farmer, teacher, and slightly sarcastic neighbor, Know Your Hogs is more than a manual—it’s the pig book you’ll actually enjoy reading.