The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: Caroline1 on February 06, 2015, 01:33:09 pm
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Right my first 2 little pigs arrive tomorrow, have done lots of reading and think I am prepared. The OH has built the pig house out of an old shed, we have Heras fencing in place and have the food in the back of my car.
Just wondered what people do to enrich the environment for them as I want happy piggies until the time comes.
Any final words of wisdom for a first time pig owner?
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If they have enough room to rootle around then they don't really need any extra enrichment as such - we have occasionally chucked in a bale of straw (twine removed) for them to rustle around in - you can hide bits of fruit and veg around the pen as well. If there is a good scratching post that will save the pig ark, and of course they LOVE water to mooch around i.
Enjoy :thumbsup: :excited: :excited:
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:wave: Sounds like you have done all the prep which will stand you in good stead. I am a recent pigkeeper (18 months) and I adore having pigs on my smallholding. Last weekend had my first farrowing which was magical. My only advice would be to spend time watching them (which isn't hard as they're fascinating) and get to know their behaviour. That way, you'll know when they're well and happy and be able to notice in the unusual event they're not.
Have fun - pigs are fab :pig:
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Are you going to line the heras panels with electric fence and what sort of space do you have for them?
Once they grow a little, it'll not take them long to figure out that they can lift the panels and get out - the less space they have, then quicker they'll get bored and the sooner it'll happen ;) (I had a young pig trying to lift a gate off it's hinges and even with me standing on the gate he was still lifting it - I'm not a small person :o)
I'd also recommend weighing their feed to begin with - it's easy to overfeed.
But enjoy them - that's why most people keep pigs, great fun to have around :thumbsup: