Feral hogs, being omnivorous, can become predatory when the opportunity presents itself. Calves, kids, lambs, fawns and ground nesting birds have been known to become prey of feral hogs. Hogs generally prey upon the young, especially kids and lambs, but will kill adult animals that are weakened or injured. When livestock depredation occurs, the hog is usually the last to be blamed because most people do not think of a hog as a predator. Hogs will also thoroughly consume the young prey leaving little, if any evidence of hog predation resulting in the owner thinking his low herd production is due to something else.
Feral hogs are also scavengers, probably more so than predators.
Thus, when evidence of livestock appears in the scat, it is difficult to determine whether the hog actually killed the livestock or feasted on an already dead carcass since there is no carcass to examine. There have been documented accounts of hog depredation on quail and turkey nests, but there has not been any evidence indicating negative effects on these birds' populations. Some results indicate a higher incidence of nest damage in bottomlands due to the feral hog's preference for this habitat type. Many people experiencing problems with hog damage are very eager to get rid of the feral hog completely. Their feelings are understandable, however, it is not likely to happen.