Pigs can get along with different types of animals therefore it is natural to be curious if there are unusual combinations for them such as chickens. Both are common farm animals and should be familiar with each other.
So do pigs and chickens really get along? Most of the time, yes, pigs and chicken do get along. However, there are instances when things CAN go wrong but it is not common. Many people who raised both pigs and chicken state that they can get along without much problems and the most common issue is that pigs can eat the chicken’s eggs.
There are incidents when a pig can turn violent and attack chickens to eat them. Yes, pigs can eat chickens.
It can be deeply situational which means it depends on how the pigs were raised as well as how the chicken may behave near them.
Normally, pigs and chicken interact mutually when feeding. Pigs can be seen digging up the ground to eat insect which chickens can also eat. Chickens can be seen following pigs around for free food!
Pigs usually do not mind the chickens around them and even acts as if the chicken is not there. It is a very plain or simple relationship.
There may be times when pigs can be seen chasing chickens around, but it is usually an act of playfulness. Though chickens may not find it funny… pigs do and normally do not harm the chickens.
Chickens can also be found sitting, standing or even sleeping on a pig’s back! That shows how much chickens feel relaxed around pigs and do not find pigs threatening as much as other large animals.
It can be surprising to see them behave neutrally towards each other.
Why pigs attack chickens
Sometimes, depending on the breed, a pig may attack chickens. There are many sides to different scenarios. There are people who say pigs and chicken get along and people who say that they don’t.
But most of the time, it only depends on the pig.
What are the instances why pigs attack chickens? Below are some examples of why they do.
— The pig is starved or does not like its food so it looks for another option.
— The pig can get bored when stuck in a small pen and may turn to chickens for fun which can cause unwanted accidents. Once a pig tastes the blood of chickens, they may keep craving for them.
— The pig is influenced by another wild pig
— The pig is not properly socialized or raised with correct behavior
— The pig’s breed is naturally aggressive, territorial and dangerous
— The pig is a sow undergoing pregnancy which can also trigger violent behavior and double their hunger. Pregnant sows must be separated from other animals including fellow pigs.
— The pig is mistreated or abused and caused them to develop violent or aggressive behavior enough to attack or kill other animals like chickens.
— The pig is sick or has mental problems and can even pose a threat to people.
As long as these factors are avoided or cleared out, pigs and chickens can get along just fine. Before getting a pig, it is also recommended to review the breed’s standard temperament.
Most of the times, breeders will inform new owners which animals the pig can and cannot co-exist with which is why owners should look for reputable breeders that will help give you a good and clear start.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of keeping pigs and chickens together
Keeping pigs and chickens together may have its own pros and cons and we want all owners to be aware of it before they decided to raise the two animals together.
All living creatures can benefit from each other because that is how nature works and that is the normal way of life.
Every living thing should serve a purpose for the ecosystem and have a role to perform. Pigs and chickens can affect each other’s lives too.
PROS
- Pigs often have difficulties with their backs when it is itchy. They can only rely on their short tails to reach areas that they can’t, but chickens on their back can probably help ease the itch!
- Pigs are social creatures and may appreciate the presence of another small, neutral animal near them. It can help stimulate a pig’s mental health.
- Pigs can get bored and may look for playmates and chickens can be it. Though, this may be a disadvantage for chickens depending on their personality.
- Chickens can follow pigs around when it roots the ground to search for food. Chickens are known to peck on the ground for food and having good foragers like pigs around can make their food hunting easier.
- Chickens can get away from potential threat by hanging around pigs. The pig’s size can intimidate other animals and if there are many pigs near a chicken, it makes the chicken safer.
- Chickens ride on a pig’s back which can save them the trouble of walking around in search of food.
- Some chickens may have a playful spirit and may enjoy being chased around by pigs. Not all chickens, but some. Both animals can serve as each other’s average friend.
CONS
- Some pigs can kill chickens for fun or out of hunger because pigs are omnivores and will eat almost anything in sight.
- Pigs can be exposed to diseases coming from chickens. They are known to eat their own waste including other animal’s waste such as chickens which can be the source of diseases.
- Pigs will also eat a pig’s eggs and that is why the chicken coop should be inaccessible by pigs to keep the chicken eggs safe.
- A chicken can also get sick from pigs when they eat something that has a pig’s saliva, sweat or other body liquids on it.
- Chickens can potentially hurt pigs if the pigs are too docile like pecking their snouts and can even blind the eyes of a pig.
- Having two prey animals in one place can attract predator animals like wolves, coyotes, foxes and even snakes to their pens and coops.
- Chickens can steal most of the pig’s food and even if the pig will ignore it or not react, it can cause problems for the pig’s diet.
What are the similarities of a pig and a chicken
Pigs and chickens are both prey animals and are often hunted by similar predators. Prey animals tend to be docile and neutral around each other which is probably why most pigs and chickens act calm around one another.
Related Questions
- Do pigs get along with goats?
The answer can be highly situational as pigs can definitely get along with most animals but the common problem is if the animals like them back. It can also be a matter of feeding problems.
Pigs are social animals and are peaceful animals by default, but they can get destructive and greedy when it comes to food.
A pig and goat together under the same pasture could have problems as the pig will take what the goats can eat while the goats are not supposed to eat pig feed as it is not healthy for their diet.
Depending on how the pig was raised and their breed’s standard temperament, they can also attack goats for fun or for food especially if they are larger enough to tackle a goat down.
Basically, if they are not properly raised, pigs can pose problems to goats.
Goats, on the other hand, are neutral animals but can also potentially harm a pig if they get too annoyed and tired of tolerating a pig’s behavior.
Some goats may not like having their feeding area invaded or their food snatched and may charge at a pig.
Fights should be expected to happen and can be avoided by simply supervising the two animal’s interaction between each other.
If both animals are used to socializing and deeply domesticated, chances are they can get along very well. But if not and both are just plain farm animals, it can become risky for both ends which is why they are not a recommended pair for each other.
- Do pigs get along with horses?
Pigs and horses are an uncommon match and usually do not get along because of the pig’s behavior and feeding habits.
This is the real problem for pigs because they naturally like anyone or everyone because they are social animals by default but the issue is if the animal likes them back.
Even if another animal is fine having a pig around them, it can still turn wrong when the animal decides to stop tolerating a pig when they become too annoying for them to handle.
Horses are easily frightened and spooked by other things including animals and if they are not used to pigs, they may react too scared and run for their lives!
Pigs will also chase running horses which can lead to a never-ending chase as long as the pig does not stop or the horse does not lose the pig.
A pig with no tusks may not pose a mortal threat to horses but it can still be bad for the horse’s mental stimulation if the pig always scare them.
Depending on how the two animals will be introduced and their personalities, they may or may not get along with each other therefore it is recommended to be careful when mixing them together.