The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: Bodger on November 25, 2013, 03:48:49 pm
-
I'm going to build a DIY pig ark but I need a little bit of advice before I start. I'm going to use the half round galvanized sheets that you see in most 'shop' bought pig arks but I can only get the 8ft sheets locally and not the 10ft ones. My question is this, will the smaller sheets give large sows enough space? I was thinking of using four of the sheets in my design, so length isn't going to be a concern but the width might.
I've been quoted £30.00 a sheet inclusive of the vat and because I already have the other materials required, making my own ark represents a sizable saving over a professionally made one. What do you think? Will the 8ft sheets work?
-
We have used 8' sheets for some of our home made arks, and found that the max height you can have the entrance door in the centre (4 foot, less the wood strip going across at the top connecting the two sides of the front wall) is only just tall enough for a large sow to get in and out. Also once inside they can only walk in the centre part of the ark, though it doesn't seem to bother them that much. When you buy arks kits like this, consisting of the 8' sheets and the curved plywood front and back wall, the doorway is always tiny and only suitable for youngish weaners. If I was to build another, I would try to build the long side walls about 12 to 24 inches higher than the floor level with the corrugated sheets sitting on that, so that the curved bit would easily accomodate large pigs over a much larger floor area than when the semi-circle is placed at floor level. If any of that makes sense, don't think I explained myself very well!
-
After building many arcs out of many materials, I came to the conclusion of this build:-
Build a wooden floor out of tanalised planks of any size you want. This is the heaviest bit, so if you ever want to move it in the future, make it in sections.
Then I put the floor where I want the pig home and put fence posts around the outside and attach ply sheets so that there is at least three posts per 8ft sheet.
Then I build a light frame for the roof and you can put metal or plastic roof on. Make sure it is sloping, so the rain falls of the roof downhill away from the home.
I know it may be slightly more expensive, but it is easy to take down and use again and very easy to repair broken bits. It is the cheapest way in the end as it is the strongest. It can also be any size you want. I have also built bigger ones so that I can section areas of with hurdles. Judy
-
Is there any chance of some photos Judy? :pig:
-
Not the best pictures, but there's a (short) description of building a similar ark on our blog
http://www.hempsalsfarm.com/2011/04/pig-ark-v2/ (http://www.hempsalsfarm.com/2011/04/pig-ark-v2/)
Its still keeping pigs warm and dry two and a half years later.
-
I made my own pig ark for just the cost of nails (quite a lot of nails tho). Tin sheets for walls lined with planks from pallets and all recovered pallet wood for the floor . Tin sheet roof and reused fence posts in the corners.snaffled all the tin from a neighbour who was ditching it. I can smell a freebie miles away. Stig of the dump the oh calls me. Survived intact and oh is convinced it will last longer than our house. Technically not an ark? More a shed. No-one's moving that sucker
-
Thanks Ben and DL. I'm Bodger by name and bodger by nature, so I like the idea of making a pig shed out of what I have lying about the place. :pig:
-
Something satisfying about making things out of stuff knocking about doing nothing. Have fun.
-
Three heston straw bales and a few sheets of flat steel sheet. Then use the straw as bedding next year and use 2new ones for the ark.
-
MY OH built one similar to benkt's - lasted for 3 terrible winters up in Scotland and was still standing when we left :thumbsup:
:love: :pig: :love:
-
My pig arks aren't going to be ark shaped. This morning I managed to pick up 14 x 10ft secondhand zinc sheets (flat) for thirty quid. RESULT! :excited: :excited: :excited:
-
You jammy bugger Bodger :thumbsup:
-
You jammy bugger Bodger :thumbsup:
I am convinced that if Bodger landed in sh1t they would come up smelling of roses :bouquet:
-
Here they are. :excited: I have them well weighted down due to an extremely strong gale that we are currently experiencing.
(http://i1200.photobucket.com/albums/bb334/kcooper2011/002-12.jpg) (http://s1200.photobucket.com/user/kcooper2011/media/002-12.jpg.html)
-
No need to rub it in :innocent:
-
Sorry Bodger, only just saw your reply about sending photos. My internet went down and have only just got it back. Perfect roof material. Have a small gap between (ventilation) roof and sides to stop condensation on underside of tin roof and have the roof overhang the sides so wind doesn't drive rain in. Please, please give them a wooden floor, cos if it gets wet, it will dry quickly and at this time of year bare earth is cold and does not dry. I love my pigs :eyelashes: