making barn bigger--getting ready for pigs--looking for input...

[miss_thenorth]

We are planning on doubling the size of our barn. It is 20x24 (okay, its a garage but we use it as a barn.)

We will make it 20x48. Currently we are housing 6 hens, and two horses in this 'barn'. We are expanding to accomodate more chickens, two pigs, and rabbits,(two does and a buck, plus their litters.) Plus storage of softwood shavings-(we buy in bulk), and a tack room.

Currently, we are using a 6x8 dog run for our chickens. Since we are getting more chickens, this will not be big enough for them, but I was thinking maybe this dog run could be used for the pigs. Will this be strong enough to hold them? I realize that we will have to dig it down and secure it.

All comments appreciated, (even if you hav suggestions for planning out the barn)

edited b/c laptops and I don't get along, and it has a mind of its own sometimes...

 

[greyfields]

I'm currently in my winter "pig lull". I pick up the last two from processing tomorrow. I'll be getting weaners again around March. I miss having pigs more than anything. It seems all the vegetables are going to waste only throwing them into the chicken pen!

I raise mine outside, so I'm not really sure of the space requirements. I just wanted to say that having pigs is just endlessly fun. Of course, they do sometimes get out and there's no way in hell you'll get them back in with words alone (out comes the grain bucket). But in general, I find them to be very civil, amusing and curious creatures.

 

[miss_thenorth]

We are all looking forward to having pigs too. When you say you raise them outside, how exactly do youdo that? (sorry--blonde moment maybe?) I plan on having mine out in the dog pen--if thats do-able, with access to the barn for shade, and sleeping, etc.

My uncle used to raise pigs--had a very large operation, and his pigs weren't allowed outside. One of the reasons I want pigs, I guess... I guess what I need to know is--will the chain link be strong enough to hold them in? I hear they are very strong.

 

[Dodgegal79]

If your going to have them inside, make sure you have cement under them so you can clean it easier. You can have them outside, make sure the fence is strong, we had them in a solid wood fenced pen. They will root, so you have to watch they don't get under the fence. Some people like to use electric fences, but the problem with pigs is if they get shocked, they don't back up, they go foward. They will take the whole fence out.

 

[Bawkadoodledoo]

remember, pigs are smarter than dogs, cats, chickens, and some humans*.

they WILL find** a hole in the fence and get out.

*nobody on this forum, some of my enemies are not connected.

** not if you build it securely

 

[greyfields]

I can imagine a pig easily destroying a chain link fence, if they wanted to.

I use a portable shelter on skids to move them around. I then use a braid or two of this:

http://www.premier1supplies.com/fencing.php?mode=detail&fence_id=58

The pigs won't go near it once they get shocked once. I just have to make sure it stays off the ground and hot. Pigs aren't stupid and they don't like to be shocked.

 

[miss_thenorth]

So basically. Greyfields, you have a pig tractor of sorts? Interesting....

 

[jkcove08]

We have large indoor/out door dog kennel. It has 7 separate runs for dogs. We got a piglet a couple years ago and it got out of the first pen that we had it in and got into the bean field. Amazingly it came back and we then put it in one of our dog runs. It went in and out the door and figured it out faster then some of our dogs. When the dogs would run back and forth barking at what ever they though about barking at the pig ran back and forth too. We finally had to move him into another fenced in area when I was afraid he would get stuck in the door. He was butchered shortly after. Chain link will hold them fine but you have to make sure it is secured to the ground due to their rooting. Also we had many more rats around our place after our first 2 pigs. All of the left overs that we threw out to them brought the rats in. I am sure they were there at the start, we just started seeing them after the pigs were here. You will want to make sure that all of your feed is in secure containers. The 6X8 should be fine if you are only planning to keep them until 150 to 200 lbs. You really dont want them moving alot if you are going to butcher them anyway. Jenn

 

[Harmon_7]

Put one or two strands of electric fence around the bottom and they should stay in...we only have two strands like 3 inch off the ground and 2 inch apart and they get shocked dont get near it.... it kept 10 pigs in this year...didnt even have a problem. and you shouldnt as long as you have food and water... remember pigs dont sweat

 

[miss_thenorth]

Thanks, the electric wire around the bottom sounds like a good idea. I realize they don't sweat--they will need a mud bath, shade, etc. We already have rats--kinda inevitable when you have animals and feed, etc., but cats, traps, and occasionally poison, keep them under control.

When you 'slop' a pig, are you concerned about the amounts versus commercial feed. From what I read, they need a certain amount of protein I think 18%. I give my chickens table scraps, but i am looking forward to slopping a pig, keeps it out of the garbage, as in nothing goes to waste, but from what I have read--you need to keep an eye on the protein amount that the pigs get --to get them to optimim slaughter weight.