In order to produce pork, one must first raise pigs. In the cases of most commercial pig farms, pigs are kept indoors in sheltered climate-controlled conditions to prevent health problems as a result of temperature extremes. Piglets are initially kept with their mother for a period of one month until they are weaned off of her milk and are able to eat solid foods. From there the piglets of roughly similar age are penned in groups of 50 or less; any more and they tend to fight and harm one another. They are fed consistently up to a half-dozen times a day with good quality grain pig feed containing up to 15 percent protein additives. Liquid vitamins are included in their feed once a month. As pigs don't do much aside from eat and grow, that's really all there is to their care. After 18 months a pig can be up to 300 pounds and is ready to be slaughtered. more »