The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Community => Introduce yourself => Topic started by: KennyPigs on July 21, 2013, 04:06:48 pm
-
Hi there, i need a bit of help as im in the process of building a pen for our eating pigs. I have a number of questions.
A. Fence posts: what type,size,spacing and how high should the fence be.
B. Water would you run a water supply in ?
C. Thinking of building two pens to be able to rotate the land, good idea??
D. Whats the best feed with regards to ease and cost.
Many Thanks in advance
-
I know nothing about pigs (excpet they taste nice) but just wanted to welcome you to the forum. :wave:
-
:wave: from the fens of Cambridgeshire.
-
Hi there (from Suffolk). We just got our first 3 pigs, so very much still a newbie, but here's what I know so far/did:
Posts - I got 3 inch or so diameter, in the ground about 2 foot, out of the ground about 4 1/2 foot. Wire fencing between, wooden board at the bottom with barbed wire on it to discourage tunnelling under it.
Water - definitely could do a pipe in, or get a big water butt. Luckily I found a disused massive metal one and use that. Connected up to an auto-feeder with a float valve so it doesn't need anything doing to it (Unless it doesn't rain, then it needs filling every so often).
2 Pens seems like a good idea, although I've been surprised so far at how little damage our 3 have done to the land so far. That might all change though!
So far I've been buying feed from Moles Country Stores http://www.molecountrystores.co.uk/ (http://www.molecountrystores.co.uk/) about £10 for 25kg bag.
Good luck with it all! :)
Hi there, i need a bit of help as im in the process of building a pen for our eating pigs. I have a number of questions.
A. Fence posts: what type,size,spacing and how high should the fence be.
B. Water would you run a water supply in ?
C. Thinking of building two pens to be able to rotate the land, good idea??
D. Whats the best feed with regards to ease and cost.
Many Thanks in advance
-
Highgate at Willingham are selling Duffields sow pellets for £7.20 still, Duffields seem to be a no nonsense brand, have several agents in the area.
We are on clay and they do like to rout so it ends up like a plough and its been dry so the concept of resting seems although a good idea I think if you are keeping them over the winter better let them trash on area and put them on fresh in spring when it dries up a bit. I would also put them as near your water source as possible as in this weather what they do not drink they with sit in, so you have to make sure you fill up every day.
It my first year with pigs and I had already decided I would be a fair weather farmer ( I have enough trouble with muddy ponies) so they are booked in a Leech's for September
-
many thanks for all your advice. over the weekend I marked out the two pens and came to a sum of 55 posts, these now will be 3inch in size and 5/6 foot in height.
Have wire on order and water will be plumbed in.
many thanks kja and Jimmy
Mad Goatwoman of Madeley thanks and Hello to your too.
KP :pig:
-
if you need any advise on suppliers etc just shout.
we buy all our pig feed in direct pretty local/localish. anything else there is a good feed merchant close by too.