Aren't All Pigs Aggressive? Not So.

Remi here, and today I want to confront a myth about pigs.


Growing up I'd heard horror stories that involved pigs hurting people.


In many cases the pig was a wild boar who attacked a hunter. This is a common occurrence, and if I was a wild boar I'd probably do the same.


But several of those stories were about domestic pigs raised on farms. We even knew someone personally who was bit by one of his pigs.


As a kid, the friend's story only reinforced the narrative that all pigs are aggressive, and it scared me from getting into a pen with pigs, especially those that were 2-3 times my size.


So why then would I ever let my 18-month-old son play with them?

Of course, I don't let him in the pig paddock unsupervised. That would be foolish for several reasons, plus I just don't trust the pigs (or Bo) that much.


But something I've learned since we began raising pigs ourselves in 2012 is that they've been given a bad rap.


What truly deserves a bad rap is the way pigs have been raised for the last hundred years. 


Confinement and withholding of food (which is what the friend who got bit was doing) are two practices that became commonplace in the last century, and from what I can see they are the largest contributors to aggression in pigs.


But when a pig is allowed to enjoy life outside with fresh air, forage, plenty of food, and room to express it's pigginess, there is no need to be aggressive.


And how much less when your farmers are such fun and caring people. 🤗


Our pigs trot around joyfully, often chasing each other and playing "hide and seek" behind their field shelters.


Instead of seeing Bo as a way to take out their anger and frustration, he's just another safe human being with whom they can play and be curious about.


So the next time you hear someone mention how disgusting and mean pigs are, kindly point them to a farm who prioritizes care over profit, and let them see that there is indeed a way to raise healthy, happy pigs.

Your farmer

Remi Kesten