Give them straw. Lots of it. Straw is way better than hay because it doesn’t hold moisture. Pigs love burrowing into it. It’s their version of a fluffy duvet.
Provide a draft-free shelter. A simple three-sided hut works. Pigs don’t need a heated barn. They just need a windbreak. And a wall to lean against while they nap.
Securing a Winter Pig Shelter on Pasture – Mother Earth News
Warm water is a game-changer. Pigs drink more when water isn’t frozen. Dehydration makes them colder. So warm up their water bucket. They’ll slurp it down like hot cocoa.
The Funniest Cold-Weather Pig Behavior
Have you seen a pig wiggle its tail when it’s cold? It’s a tiny, fast wag. They do it to keep blood flowing. It’s like a piggy taillight. Cute and functional.
Pigs also grunt differently in the cold. Their grunts get deeper and more rhythmic. It sounds like a grumpy old man mumbling. “Ugh, winter again.” I feel that.
And the best part? Pigs will sulk if they’re cold. They’ll plant their feet and refuse to leave their nest. It’s a full-on temper tantrum. You can’t argue with a sulking pig. You just add more straw.
