The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: Mrs Snoodles on December 03, 2012, 09:11:59 pm
-
Our pigs are contained with polywire fencing and plastic stakes. I really had my doubts about this all, being used to solid dug in, fencing but I have to say it is proving to be really very good.
With all the crappy weather turning the paddocks into a giant mud bath, it has been a godsend to be able to
pull the stakes out a little bit and give another few metres of grass around the perimeters etc. I've also been able to pull out separating lines and join paddocks etc ... the flexibility is ace.
The boar is ok on 2 strands and we can now put the sows on single. The piglets need 4!
I don't know if it would be ok for other more livelier breeds but for my Hampshires and large Blacks it is just fine. Pretty cheap too. Once you've paid out for the stakes (about a quid each) the rolls are about £25.
All our pigs will be going on veg ground in the Spring and I hope to allow for some form of strip grazing, where I can just extend out as they mow through.
I haven't tried tensile wire but I definitely prefer this stuff over the permanent fencing I have worked with before. Highly recommended :)
-
We only ever contain our weaners with electric tape. Never had an escape, sometimes they are a bit more difficult to load as they won't cross the line where the electric used to be... but it is on mains, I don't think I would use a battery charger without a secondary barrier.
Where I now buy my weaners from they already come trained to this system - it's great!
-
We've used electric fencing since we first got pigs. Originally used to use stranded steel wire which is very long lasting, indestructible and carries the charge very well but is a right pain when you want to move it as it tangles very easily. We now use polywire which is much easier to handle but can get broken or chaffed after a while. Our adult pigs are behind a single strand at about nose height and have never escaped. Small piglets need two or three strands with the bottom one only a few inches off the ground. This can be a problem once they start rooting as they often bury the bottom wire. We've had a few escapes once they have buried the wire and realised there's not much of a shock to be had. They've never gone far though and it's only happened with piglets up to about 8 weeks old.