The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: horsemadmummy on March 16, 2011, 08:43:48 am

Title: pig pen rotation
Post by: horsemadmummy on March 16, 2011, 08:43:48 am

we have just had the pig pen fenced in stock fencing and the plan is to rotate in this area using electric tape system and seed as they come off so that when they go back on 6 months later they have nice grassed paddock again.  Is this a good management system for them?

Title: Re: pig pen rotation
Post by: loosey on March 16, 2011, 09:17:02 am

It sounds fine. We rotate ours every 3 months but don't bother reseeding ... out grass has been coming back through fine and thicker than ever! I scattered about some carrot, swede and parnip in the last paddock so I'm looking forward to seeing if they take (I am terrible at growing things!!)

Title: Re: pig pen rotation
Post by: supplies for smallholders on March 16, 2011, 09:29:27 am

Hi,

Im like a stuck record on this point, but here goes anyway....

To develop a good rotation system (ie to give the ground chance to recover) you need to know if your pigs have a worm burdon or not, and what type of worms they have. Some species of worms can lay dormant in the soil for upto 5 years!

So once you have established your worm position and worming treatments, then you can establish the best rotation and ground rest period for you.

Ask your vet about worm egg counts or do a postal count. I would say who does postal counts, but that would be advertising  ;D

Title: Re: pig pen rotation
Post by: horsemadmummy on March 16, 2011, 09:36:07 am

ground has never had pigs on and I will ask the people our sow is coming from if they know her worm count and if not will ask our vet (who is next door) to advise on best course of action

Title: Re: pig pen rotation
Post by: Blonde on March 16, 2011, 10:38:52 am

rotate it with a crop then you can put your animals in and let them consume the crop,  this will give around 6 weeks of feed, depending on how many pigs you put in the pen

Title: Re: pig pen rotation
Post by: horsemadmummy on March 16, 2011, 12:25:58 pm

thanks for that and all the other advice - what crop would you suggest?

Title: Re: pig pen rotation
Post by: princesspiggy on March 16, 2011, 12:30:34 pm

officially ur supposed to change paddocks every year and not return for 2 years. :wave:

Title: Re: pig pen rotation
Post by: horsemadmummy on March 16, 2011, 01:01:25 pm

we are keeping pigs for us - do we really have to keep them off land for 2 years?

Title: Re: pig pen rotation
Post by: Blonde on March 16, 2011, 01:45:21 pm

Quote from: horsemadmummy on March 16, 2011, 12:25:58 pm

thanks for that and all the other advice - what crop would you suggest?

barley hay

Title: Re: pig pen rotation
Post by: princesspiggy on March 16, 2011, 03:42:30 pm

Quote from: horsemadmummy on March 16, 2011, 01:01:25 pm

we are keeping pigs for us - do we really have to keep them off land for 2 years?

thats best practise for, worm management, i think. would depend on ur set up and numbers  :farmer: :wave: