Why Are My Pasture Pigs Rooting?

If you raise pasture pigs, you’ve likely seen them root—digging up grass, nosing through the soil, and sometimes tearing up entire sections of pasture. Maybe you’ve wondered if it’s normal for your pigs to be little bulldozers and why they “act like pigs”! Is it just a quirky pig thing if your pasture pigs are rooting—or is there something deeper going on?

Pasture Pigs Rooting: Normal or Not?

Pigs root by nature. Their snouts are powerful tools designed to explore, dig, and forage. In the wild, pigs root for tubers, insects, and minerals in the soil. So, yes—some rooting is completely expected.

But when rooting becomes excessive or destructive—especially in pigs that have access to plenty of forage and space—it’s often a signal of a mineral imbalance.

Mineral Deficiencies

Pigs are smart, intuitive animals. When they’re lacking something in their diet—particularly trace minerals—they’ll try to find it in the soil. Research and experience from pasture pig breeders consistently show that pigs will begin to root excessively when they're deficient in key minerals like zinc, selenium, copper, or iron.

According to the Idaho Pasture Pig Association, pigs with mineral deficiencies will root even if they’ve never done so before. This behavior is a sign of nutritional need, not bad behavior. It's their way of seeking out the missing building blocks their bodies are craving.

Avena Pasture Pig Feed

That’s where Avena Pasture Pig Feed comes in. We’ve worked closely with breeders and nutrition experts to develop a balanced feed that directly addresses the most common causes of excessive rooting. Avena Feed is formulated with the precise balance of trace minerals your pigs need. Because of its rich mineral content, it minimizes the pigs desire to root, leaving the pasture in better condition and the pigs more relaxed and healthier.

This formulation has been tested and approved by the Idaho Pasture Pig Association. It’s already helping pasture-based pig owners reduce rooting and maintain healthier pastures, while creating happy pigs that come running when they hear the feed hit the pan.

Rooting Might Start in the Soil—But It Ends in the Feed

Managing pasture pigs isn’t just about fencing and rotation. Nutrition plays a vital role in shaping pig behavior. When pigs are fed a well-balanced diet, they’re less likely to over-root, more likely to gain efficiently, and generally easier to manage. If you have a problem with your pasture pigs rooting excessively, take a closer look at their diet. Avena Pasture Pig Feed gives them what they’re missing—so they don’t have to dig for it.

Interested in learning more? Contact us today to request a sample or speak with one of our feed specialists.