How to Choose a Pig Dealer
When purchasing a pig or any type of livestock, it's important to know how the animal was raised. Before you choose a pig dealer, you should visit the facilities and ask appropriate questions, such as what the animal was fed and what type of pen or sty it has lived in since birth.
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Instructions
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Visit the livestock facilities of any pig dealer before you choose to do business with it. It's important to see how the animal was raised to determine its temperament once it arrives at its new home. For instance, you will need to find out if the pig was raised alone in a pen or if it had constant contact with other pigs, which will determine how it will get along with your existing pigs.
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Choose a pig from a dealer that has the appropriate permits and licenses to sell livestock in your area. The selling of livestock is usually supervised by county or state governments, and having the proper credentials increases the chance that the dealer is selling animals that are healthy, raised under humane conditions and have had all required vaccinations.
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Ask local livestock veterinarians for references when choosing the right pig dealer. Most vets can tell you which dealers have the healthiest stock, and which dealers have had chronic problems with raising pigs.
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Pick a dealer that will offer some sort of guarantee if your animal becomes sick within a certain time frame. Never choose a pig from a dealer who sells animal "as-is" or doesn't provide a written return policy.
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Look for a dealer that has the knowledge, experience and customer service skills to answer all of your questions before, during and after the sale of a pig. The right dealer will be able to give you tips on the proper diet for a pig and can tell you the correct way to set up a pig pen based upon weather conditions in your area.
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Use online resources, such as the Business to Business Yellow Pages, to choose the right pig dealer in your area.
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Tips & Warnings
The right pig dealer should also have a strong affiliation with a local veterinarian who can help you if a health issue arises with your animal. This type of association generally shows that a pig dealer cares about the health of the animals it sells and that your return business is valued.
