There's a free book on keeping hogs from the University of Minnesota.
It covers 4 different systems:
- Swedish Deep-Straw Farrowing System
- Deep-Straw Hoop Structure System
- Pasture Production Systems
- Conventional Confinement Systems
There are other systems (e.g. Cargill Finishers), which are now considered sub-optimal compared to total confinement or hoop barns. People wouldn't typically build any of those today, but there are lots of them in place already all over America. During the period when Mangalitsa pigs were popular in Hungary, they settled on systems like this one to fatten the hogs. The hogs go outside and get fresh air. They can move around, so their muscles taste meaty. They can't run up and down hills though, so they get fat.
Here is another Hungarian farm, where they move around more. They've cleared out all small vegetation. One problem with keeping pigs on dirt is that they'll build up a parasite load (in the dirt) over time. That's not a problem with concrete.
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