Juliana micro pigs - all you need to know
Characteristics and Personality
Like most domesticated pigs, Juliana pigs are known to be friendly, smart, energetic, social, gentle and fun to have around.
Intelligent
Did you know that pigs are so intelligent, they ranked fifth among the most intelligent animals in the world?
They are also capable of outsmarting chimpanzees, one of the top smartest animals we’ve ever known! Many people also say they can be smarter than dogs. The intelligence of pigs such as Juliana pigs make them popular as pets. This also makes them unique from other regular pets. Juliana pigs can also really surprise you with their great memory as well as how fast they can learn and pick up hints about certain things. Aside from ranking fifth in the world ranking, scientific studies and research also stated that an average pig have the same intelligence level as a 2 year old human child. They discovered that pigs can have better focus and produce a higher success rate when it comes to tests and challenges unlike dogs and chimps. Not all dogs can learn as fast as a pig can, as some dogs are known to be stubborn or even be full of pride. Although they are usually submissive, many dogs can be stubborn when it comes to training. Unlike pigs that seem to naturally learn without feeling forced. They tend to learn faster because of their ability to focus better. Dogs can be easily distracted because of their playful nature.
The advantage of being a prey
Another reason why pigs such as Juliana pigs have such great intelligence compared to others is because they are prey animals. Most pets that we have kept and raised are prey animals and now we are being surprised by their capabilities. Prey animals need to be on alert more than predators and thus, may develop a more sensitive way of living. They need to be smarter than their swift and strong predators. Pigs possibly learned to enhance their intelligence by adapting and learning how to outsmart their predators. Predators do not have to be on guard most of the time, they are usually comfortable anywhere and don’t struggle as hard as a prey when searching for food. I have a personal saying regarding this aspect in life. The poor may be poor, but they can definitely be wiser than the rich. It’s because when you are always on edge, you become desperate to cling on for survival. While those who are at the top have it easy and tend to forget the meaning of challenges. When life is hard, it teaches you to become strong. Even if they are prey animals, if their minds are strong, their chances of survivability will definitely increase.
Juliana pigs can be trained
Many owners say they can learn even faster than dogs. Juliana pigs or just pigs in general, can be house trained. They may learn how to use the litter box, play fetch and do several other tricks.
It has proven that the “treat rewarding” method works very well with pigs when training them.
Compassionate
In relation to their intelligence, pigs like Juliana pigs are capable of being compassionate. Their smart brains allow them to feel both negative and positive emotions. This means that they can also feel pain, become depressed, be excited and many more! Because of this, many people are convinced that the cruel treatment towards livestock pigs should come to an end.
Juliana pigs can sense grief
Pigs are capable of sensing grief from other animals, their companions or their human owners. When they do, they have a tendency to console them for comfort. Juliana pigs are aware when a companion passes away or when they get left behind or abandoned. They can be sad, depressed and lonely to the point of crying real tears when mourning their loss or simply missing something or someone.
Juliana pigs are sensitive
Since they have almost the same mentality or intelligence level as a child, you can expect them to behave similarly to a child. Juliana pigs can grow easily bored when isolated or irritable when kept in an uncomfortable place and more.
They are capable of throwing tantrums, being stubborn, being spoiled, become manipulative or dominant. However, they are rarely violent. If a pig is mistreated or abused, they WILL remember it. They know how to hold grudges, remember the faces of their abusers but they can also be grateful and remember those who cared for them. This is part of the reason why they are lovely pets, because they exhibit a behavior where the owners must be emotionally prepared as Juliana pigs can be emotionally sensitive too.
Habitat and Environment
Domesticated animals such as Juliana breeds often thrive in a better condition compared to their wild or natural counterpart. Still, it’s important to know their natural habitats.
Natural habitat
A Juliana pig does not have a known wild habitat as they are a product of multiple crossbreeding. But in general, the wild habitat for most pigs would be forests and woodlands, especially oak forests and regions where reeds are abundant.
Environment
All pigs especially small breeds like Juliana pigs will prefer to inhabit places with favorable climate. Although they function better under cool temperatures, they can still be sensitive to severe cold or extreme heat. If you’re looking to keep one as a pet, you must read on to understand their preferred environment when under captivity. Juliana pigs are prey animals and need to be kept away from possible predators. If they have a wide space to graze outside, there must be fences to keep out animals like foxes, badgers or even stray dogs off the lead that could wonder onto your property. Like every other pig, Juliana pigs have a hard time cooling off because of their inability to sweat. Because of this, they should be placed in an area that can keep them cool. Again, they are sensitive to harsh weather conditions and thus must be protected from extreme heat and severe cold. They must be shielded from rain and any kind of storms.
Space
Juliana pigs in captivity will need specific space and conditions in order to thrive properly on a daily basis. Since they are smart and can be sensitive, if they are cramped up in one place for too long, they may grow bored which may lead to destructive behavior. If they do not have enough space or freedom to roam and explore, they may become depressed. Pigs are naturally curious animals and prefer living outdoors as much as possible. Depending on the number of other pigs that will live with them, a Juliana pig should be able to have a pen of at least 2 meters in size. If they are being kept as indoor pets, the best solution is to give them access to at least one or two rooms to give them comfort.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Every animal including humans have its own imperfections. All pets will have its own pros and cons. Juliana pigs have more pros than cons, but of course, it’s important to learn what they are to fully understand their breed.
1. Not a picky eater
Pigs of any breed including Juliana have an opportunistic mentality when it comes to feeding. As long as it looks edible, they will accept and eat it. They have what we call a “stomach of steel” which means they can eat almost anything without getting sick from it. However, just because they can eat anything including junk, doesn’t mean we should feed them with just anything. Certain food can still be harmful to their health and will weaken their immune system. You should not feed your pigs any meat, they will eat it and love eating it but it can cause infection and reduce their immune system.
2. Good as pets
Regardless of gender, Juliana pigs make good pets as they do not have different behaviors unlike other breeds where certain male pigs could develop territorial behavior. Care should be taken when first introducing Juliana pigs to kids as they will try to “dominate” kids or compete with them for attention from adults, they will never be violent or aggressive towards other animals or people. They are very patient and capable of being really sweet!
3. Social animals
Aside from being generally kind, Juliana pigs are also capable of getting along well with other pets like cats. They can get along with dogs too, but it’s safer to leave them with animals that are close to them in size. Dogs may be as large as a pig, but they are clearly more powerful than pigs and can cause unwanted injuries or accidents when put together. Even so, if you trust your dog won’t hurt your Juliana pig, then they can definitely be great friends too. Juliana pigs are great companions or playmates for your kids and other house pets or animals too!
4. Clean animals
Juliana pigs are clean and prefer to keep their living area clean too. As much as possible, they will assign a corner to become their toilet area in order to avoid soiling their living space. They will enjoy baths and prefer water more than mud. Most pigs only rolled around in mud to keep cool because it’s the only thing they can do when there is no pond of water around them.
Proper care and needs
Juliana pigs will have a lot of needs and buying one as a pet comes with great responsibility, patience and commitment. Aside from being mentally prepared, one must be financially prepared too when it comes to the costs and physically ready to care for them.
Caring
1. Proper Feeding
An average pig should eat at least two times a day. Pigs are not picky eaters and you can feed them almost anything! However, pigs are strictly NOT ALLOWED TO CONSUME MEAT. The reason behind this is to prevent pigs from getting sick. The easiest way for them to get infected with a disease is by eating meat. Instead, you may feed your pig with various fruits and vegetables. Real pig pellets are the best choice for your pet pig as it provides a balanced diet for them. Pigs can also eat grass, so if you have a large garden or lawn that has grass, you may let them graze on it. They may occasionally dig the ground up to eat roots and certain insects. (Safe for them to consume). Juliana pigs are excellent at digging up moles, they wont eat them but they will move to new territory.
2. How much water they need
On a daily basis, an average pig can drink 5 to 10 liters a day. A pregnant or mothering pig might need twice the regular amount in order to produce enough milk. Pigs are unable to sweat which is why they have a hard time cooling off. Drinking lots of water will help them keep their body temperature cool. Make sure that their water tanks or drinking bowls cannot be tipped over as they have a tendency to play with food or water. Sometimes, they can be careless or clumsy. It’s important to ensure they always have enough water to drink as dehydration can make them sick or if it’s too hot and they can’t cool off, pigs are easily prone to heat stroke.
3. Living Area
As mentioned above, your pig has a hard time cooling off due to their dysfunctional sweat glands. Studies say that they function better under cool temperatures but harsh weather conditions could easily affect them or make them sick. Severe cold or extreme heat could give pneumonia or heat stroke. There have been cases where pigs passed away due to extreme temperatures. To properly care for your pig, it’s important to pay attention to the temperature. The room must be averagely cool or warm. They must also be able to remain dry and protected from parasites such as flies. The UK climate is normally ok all year round if a pig arc or dog kennel is provided for shelter and sleeping. Despite being kept indoors, pigs will also need sufficient amount of sunshine. You can take them out or let them outside to bask under the sunlight in the morning. Doing this will also be a soothing activity for your pet pig as they enjoy the outdoor life, they like the morning sun and have the opportunity to graze on grass. If you don’t have an area where they can stay out, an optional solution is taking your pet pig out for a walk. This could also serve as an adequate exercise for your pet pig. Most pigs will enjoy a walk in the morning as they are adventurous animals that appreciate exploring their surrounding areas. You may need a pig walking license depending on where you live, local councils have information on pet walking and if you will need one.
As a pig owner, you will also need to buy a proper bed for your pet. If they are still growing, it’s safe to go for the long term product as they might grow twice their current size! When living outside, which is best, straw for bedding is cheap and readily available from most local farms or pet shops. Even Juliana pigs can grow larger than expected, so to help you save, it’s advisable to anticipate growth for your pet pig. With a good bed that they can fit in, they will be comfortable to stay in your home. But beware, once house trained they will not want to leave the comfort and live outside.
4. Healthcare
Since pigs can be sensitive when it comes to health, it’s highly recommended to let your pet pig have a checkup at one year old. Vaccination is necessary while spaying and neutering is also deeply encouraged to avoid breeding, unless that’s what you want of course. When kept inside hooves and nails will need trimming and are important and crucial to your pig’s health. Living outside on natural ground normally means they will not require trimming but always check every now and then to make sure. Trimming can be a challenging task for a new owners which is why we advise to seek help from a vet.
RELATED QUESTIONS
How much is a Juliana pig?
Cost of a bred Juliana pig ranges from £200 to over £2000 depending on colour and breeding line.