The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: PeteD on August 05, 2012, 09:36:03 am
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I am a new pig keeper, and have 2 boars who are about 8 months old. The farm where I live has a pig sty and run made of stone, which is 4 foot high at its lowest point, and the pigs have still managed to hoist themselves up and over the wall. Before I build the wall higher, has anyone got on other suggestions?
Putting the electric fence around the wall is going to be a bit tricky, and unsightly. The floor of the sty is made of stone, so lowering it is also tricky.
Pete
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several points here why have you got 2 boars and is there other pigs that they trying to get to even an 8 month old pig standing with its front feet on a wall or fence is a formidable sight are they getting enough to eat and possibly breaking out to satisfy there hunger now that they know how to get out it will take 6 feet high walls to contain them either that or the strongest electric energiser to shock the buggers into staying put the final suggestion just put them to slaughter and that solves all the problems :farmer:
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Thanks for the reply. Was it a bad move buying 2 boars? There are no other pigs nearby. Are pigs ever not hungry? They look well nourished to my inexpert eye. Six foot? Really?
Pete
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Our Tamworth could clear 4 ft high fencing from a standing jump :o
At 8 months they're more than ready to go off for slaughter, I'd maybe see about booking them in sooner rather than later ;)
Once they know they can do something, they generally do it again and again ::) especially if it's something they're not supposed too :D
Karen :wave:
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a single strand of electric fence wouldnt look unsightly along the top of the wall or even a foot down from the top.... the only way forward
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Does it matter what a strand of wire would look like as long as it does the job ::) ::)
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Pete
These pigs are escaping because they are bored and more than ready to go to the butchers so do the decent thing and get them booked in.
Mandy :pig:
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Pete :wave:
I echo Mandy's thoughts - also (not sure what breed you've got) make sure they don't get too heavy for your abbattoir to deal with, some will only do under 100kgs (live weight).
If all goes ok, could you create a larger area for the next lot? For health & welfare reasons, as well as meat production - even 2 KKs need 1/3 of an acre. If they don't get enough exercise they won't build muscle (meat) & just lay on fat. Pigs are incredibly intelligent animals (4th most intelligent mammal), they will get frustrated & bored in a small space, which can lead to behavioural problems - much, much worse than (literally) climbing walls.
:love: :pig: :love:
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Yep, time to go,
How long were you going to keep them?
How long will it be before they start fighting? ( not a pretty sight )
Have you got room in your freezer?
Get them away and start again.