The pig house is a very important and rather difficult moment in pig breeding. A pig is a picky animal, however, it also needs minimal amenities, constant access to water and a feeding trough. Due to the fact that the pig is not small in size and weighs more than 50 kg, the fastenings at the cage where it will be kept must be strong to withstand the pressure of the herd.
Piglet room
Room options
There are different types of pig housing. It can be made entirely of wood. This is a relatively strong material, but the pig can gnaw or break it. It is better to use wood in this way: divide the wooden room into sections to keep the piglets separate from each other. A similar trick allows you to protect the animal: a thick tree can withstand the mass of one pig. However, dividing the pigsty into sections is a very costly option, and after a few years, you will have to completely change the entire base again.
Other types of buildings are made from metal bases. With their help, you can make a pen at home for several piglets at once.
When building any type of construction, it is important to remember to build a spacious sow pen or design a room so that each piglet lives separately. These options are the same in the amount of material spent.
Iron base cage
The base for the cell is an important point. In order to make the entire cage completely, one cannot do without a welding machine and, of course, without basic materials. These should be pipes, different corners and metal strips 1 meter high. To create any walls and partitions, you need to use only metal bases, since most often any partitions made of wood are eaten by pets for some time. To create walls, farmers advise using:
- large, but thin in structure, metal leaves;
- slate (but it should be understood that with its weight the pig can break the slate, and then it will either crack or completely crumble).
You need to attach the walls so that the pig cannot tear off the carnations with its nose. You should also make sure that there are no snags or sharp protrusions with which the pig can get hurt. The partitions between the pens should also be metal.
Indoor floors
The floor should not be exclusively earth or concrete. When breeding piglets for meat or for sale, you need to worry about their health, as pigs have weak immunity, and because of the "naked" cold floors, they can catch a cold and die. Floor covering must be mandatory. It should be strong, solid, warm and with a special slope to drain the liquid.
It is the floors that can and should be made only of wooden boards, the thickness of which should be from 4 to 6 cm. It is impossible to take less thickness, since with its mass the pig will simply crush, puncture and break all the boards. In order for a pigsty to withstand all the conditions of keeping piglets, it must be strong enough to withstand 2 to 5 individuals. On average, up to 3 piglets are kept in one pen.
Everything needs to be done according to the following scheme: first, you should install the logs throughout the room, then fill them with clay (this is necessary for good moisture insulation with the soil). Then everything must be tamped down very well, made perfectly even, so that there are no dimples or hills, the slightest difference can lead to the formation of stagnant fluid. If all is well, you can start laying the boards, but so that there is not even one millimeter between them. In addition, there should not be any empty distance between the wall and the board, since the pigs are very nimble, and with their nose they can lift the boards up and turn everything in the cage.
In addition, floors can be made from used sleepers. This type of floor is more reliable and strong, the sleepers are warmer and do not require logs. The floor will need to be divided into 2 parts using a 7 cm bar.On one side, you will need to put hay or any other (but high-quality) bedding, and the other part is needed in order for the pig to go to the toilet there.
This separation is extremely useful, as it, firstly, saves the farmer's time (cleaning up animal excrement takes less time), and secondly, it allows the litter to remain clean and dry as long as possible. Then you need to pour concrete in front of the feeder itself about 50 cm thick. Such safety measures are necessary in order for the cage to live as long as possible, because at the moment of feeding the pig rests very strongly with its front hooves, begins to stomp, fidget, jump and fight, and even the strongest tree cannot withstand this.
Premises for fattening young pigs. Farm Yevgeny Andrienko.
They built a pig shed. Overview.
How to make a feeder correctly
Keeping gilts at home requires easy access to food and water. In addition, it is desirable that vitamins are also contained there, although they can be given separately. For the feeder, you need a pipe about 30-40 cm in size. It must be cut or sawed lengthwise and attached (welded). This is necessary so that the pigs do not fight among themselves, but eat calmly and each receive the required amount of food.
We must calculate everything so that the pig can get food. The approximate size of a pig's head is 20 cm; young animals must also be taken into account. Such a structure must be attached to the first pipe so that the pig can get food, the drinker must be attached nearby. It is also made from a pipe. Small tubes can be welded to the sides of the feeder, attaching so that you can turn it over. Such a system will help you clean the container faster and easier. And so that during the games the piglets themselves do not overturn their food, a large pipe is welded to the feeder, which is then tied to the cage.
The living conditions are very important for the pigs, which is why it is necessary to create the most comfortable atmosphere for them, the pigs should feel comfortable. Of course, an important factor is saving money and finances, which is why it is easiest to make a room with your own hands. Thus, it will be possible to significantly save money, besides, it will not be difficult to make cells yourself at home.