Pens

[Karl Atkins]

Hello,
I have a 16'x32' for three pigs for my boys and I. But now my friends want to me to raise some pig for them . So I am going to start building individual pig pens. Let say 2 pig in each pen How big would you make the pens? They will be dirt and mud. Thanks Karl

 

[Latestarter]

Even if they started out grass, they would end up being dirt and mud IMHO you should make them as big as you reasonably can. Everyone, large animals too as a general rule, like as much space as they can get. As for specific measurements, perhaps some of the pig owners will jump in with recommendations.

 

[Karl Atkins]

Even if they started out grass, they would end up being dirt and mud IMHO you should make them as big as you reasonably can. Everyone, large animals too as a general rule, like as much space as they can get. As for specific measurements, perhaps some of the pig owners will jump in with recommendations.

LOL the comment about being dirt is because I am not going to put concrete slabs for the pen and it won't be cleaned every day.

 

[dejavoodoo114]

They are all feeder pigs? You will be processing them around 280 lbs? Imagine their size at 280 lbs and try to build to make that comfortable.

I found a good site that had recommendations for space. For two pigs per pen they suggested 100 sq ft per pig. Here is the link: http://www.righteousbacon.com/space-for-swine/

ETA: They also included their reasons for their recommendations. It was a good read.

 

[Karl Atkins]

Thanks

 

[mysunwolf]

We have pens that are 32'x32' and comfortably raise 2-3 feeders up to 250lbs in these every year. The pens still get smelly at that size, and we have to add a lot of carbon matter if we want to keep that to a minimum. Since we have a few of these size pens, we will also plant a cover crop and then rotate the pigs through the pens to cut down on smell and provide entertainment and food for the pigs.

 

[Karl Atkins]

What kind of cover crop do you plant? alfalfa?

 

[OneFineAcre]

They are all feeder pigs? You will be processing them around 280 lbs? Imagine their size at 280 lbs and try to build to make that comfortable.

I found a good site that had recommendations for space. For two pigs per pen they suggested 100 sq ft per pig. Here is the link: http://www.righteousbacon.com/space-for-swine/

ETA: They also included their reasons for their recommendations. It was a good read.

That sounds reasonable

 

[mysunwolf]

What kind of cover crop do you plant? alfalfa?

Whatever whole grain we can get cheap at the feed store, or a seed I order in bulk for the garden. Wheat, barley, oats, corn, peas, brassicas. Anything that is cheap, grows easily in compacted soil, loves nitrogen, and will feed pigs.

 

[Baymule]

My current pig pasture is almost an acre. It has a strip of trees through the middle that gives them shade. We have put pigs in the garden over the winter which is 70'x100'.

Karl what is your general location? What is your climate? I am in Texas, so for me, it is easier to raise pigs through the winter than the summer.