Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
for bedding that has good absorbency and that your pigs can rearrange as they like. That way
they can pile it deeper for warmth or spread it out to stay cooler.
Building a new structure
You also can build a new structure for your pigs. When building a new structure for your pigs,
consider the location. You may be fond of your pigs, but you will probably not want them to
be too close to your house because of their odors. You should consider factors such as your
weather and how much sun will shine on their location. Some nearby shade trees will be wel-
come during hot weather. You should consider how much rain you get and whether your area
is prone to flooding. Place the new building for your pigs on higher ground so the adjacent
pen will not get soggy. You should consider access to your building because you may need to
have pigs and feed delivered in large trucks and hogs hauled to the butcher.
Once you have chosen a good location for your new structure, you can begin building.
Depending on how large the building will be, you may want to include some farrowing pens
for your sows. It is recommended that the building be wired for electricity so you can have a
heat lamp, heating pad, and other things that may be needed during farrowing or during a
veterinarian's visit. A wooden structure is recommended if you are building from scratch.
Metal buildings can hold in too much heat in the summer and cause your pigs to be uncom-
fortable. Make sure you lay a good foundation for the building that allows some air circula-
tion beneath the structure because it is likely some wetness will seep through at times.
Walls in the building do not need to be made of wood because they can pick up dirt and be
hard to clean. Pigs also may be inclined to chew on them. Instead, consider poured and rein-
forced concrete walls with an insulated interior. These walls will provide your pigs with more
warmth in the winter and stay cooler in the summer. Ventilation is critically important in any
building housing pigs, so make sure your building allows good airflow. For flooring, you can
consider wooden or concrete floors. Wooden floors are believed to be warmer and easier on
the hooves and legs, especially for large pigs. Concrete is easier to clean and will last a long
time. If you do choose to go with wooden flooring, hardwood floors are recommended be-
cause they will last longer than other kinds of wood. Choose wood that is 2 inches thick to
stand up to regular use from heavy swine.
The size and type of permanent structure you build will depend on how many pigs you plan to
raise and what your focus will be. You can determine if you will need special areas for wean-
ling pigs or if you need more room for finishing hogs. Building a new, permanent structure is
