{"product_id":"berkshire-pig-handbook-dave-d-raph-9798250148542","title":"Berkshire Pig Handbook: Raising Heritage Pigs for Meat, Breeding, Feeding, and Small Farm Success","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBerkshire Pig Handbook\u003c\/b\u003e is a practical, step-by-step guide to raising Berkshire pigs as a serious meat animal and a smart small-farm project. Berkshires are a heritage breed with a long history and a strong reputation for richly flavored, well-marbled pork--often sold under premium labels such as \"Kurobuta.\" This handbook helps you turn that reputation into real results on your farm: healthier pigs, calmer routines, better growth, cleaner facilities, and meat you're proud to put your name on.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003eRaising pigs well isn't about chasing trends. It's about getting the basics right--housing, fencing, feed strategy, water, biosecurity, breeding decisions, and daily observation--then repeating them consistently. Berkshires can be hardy and rewarding, but they'll also expose weak systems fast: sloppy gates, muddy high-traffic zones, poor mineral access, inconsistent feeding, and rushed farrowing plans. This book is built around the real decisions that keep pigs thriving and projects profitable.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eInside you'll learn how to: \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cul\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cli\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eChoose the right pigs\u003c\/b\u003e -- selecting breeding stock vs feeder pigs, reading body condition, and spotting red flags early.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cli\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eBuild housing that stays dry\u003c\/b\u003e -- bedding strategy, ventilation, shade, winter wind protection, and easy cleaning flow.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cli\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eFence for reality\u003c\/b\u003e -- simple setups that prevent escapes, protect pasture, and save you from daily battles.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cli\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eFeed with a plan\u003c\/b\u003e -- balancing energy and protein, using feed stages, avoiding common growth slowdowns, and keeping costs visible.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cli\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eRun pasture and pen systems\u003c\/b\u003e -- rotation basics, mud control, parasite pressure reduction, and how to keep pigs and land improving together.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cli\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eHandle breeding and farrowing\u003c\/b\u003e -- timing, preparation, piglet survival priorities, and how to stay calm when things get messy.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cli\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eSupport piglet growth\u003c\/b\u003e -- creep feeding, weaning transitions, health checks, and setting up strong finishers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cli\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eProtect herd health\u003c\/b\u003e -- prevention-first routines, quarantine logic, sanitation, and when to call a veterinarian.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cli\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eFinish for quality\u003c\/b\u003e -- managing growth to butcher weight, reducing stress, and making choices that protect meat quality.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cli\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eMake the numbers work\u003c\/b\u003e -- basic recordkeeping, cost-per-pound thinking, and small-farm decisions that improve margins without chaos.\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e \u003cp\u003eThis is not a glossy \"pig dream\" book. It's a working handbook--designed for homesteaders, small farmers, and serious beginners who want repeatable systems. You'll come away with a clearer daily rhythm, better problem-solving instincts, and a farm plan you can actually maintain.\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePerfect for: \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003cul\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cli\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHomesteaders raising Berkshires for the freezer or local sales\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cli\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSmall farms building a heritage pork project with premium potential\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cli\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBeginners who want clear routines for feeding, fencing, housing, and health\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\u003cli\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAnyone who wants better farrowing outcomes and steadier piglet growth\u003c\/li\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e \u003c\/ul\u003e \u003cp\u003eIf you want to raise Berkshire pigs with confidence--better systems, healthier animals, and a clearer path to small-farm success--\u003cb\u003eBerkshire Pig Handbook\u003c\/b\u003e is your practical companion from first piglets to finished hogs.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Dave D. Raph\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9798250148542\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Independently Published\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 03\/02\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 162\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.50lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.00h x 6.00w x 0.35d","brand":"Dave D. Raph","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":48447405195519,"sku":"9798250148542","price":16.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_cb9c46cb-2d7a-460d-895f-1f8d4c2daa00.jpg?v=1777230890","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/berkshire-pig-handbook-dave-d-raph-9798250148542","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}