A smallholding in Randgate breeds and sells pigs at local markets and auctions.
The pigs are kept in an indoor sty and are fed once a day with refined dog food mixed with maize-meal and sometimes with vegetables.
According to Dowell Nkhata, groundskeeper of the smallholding, “Refined dog food is good for them. We buy their feed at local stores and sometimes elsewhere if it’s cheaper than local feed.”
The pigs also constantly have water. They get water through pipes that run through the entire sty, therefore when they are thirsty, they can have a drink. Being a literal pigsty, Dowell has to clean the sty once a day.
There are large cages in the sty that are big enough to fit a full-grown pig. The cages are there for when sows give birth. “Sometimes when they give birth, they crush their young, which then die at birth.”
When asked about the selling process Dowell said, “The price depends on the market and what you have. Let’s say a sow gives birth to four males and two females, you don’t really need more than one male so you sell the rest but males are also generally cheaper than females.”
He continued, “The selling process depends on many factors but in terms of sizes that sell — the bigger the pig, the more expensive it is.”
