The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: mebnandtrn on February 13, 2015, 01:04:50 pm
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We have just taken delivery of 3 weaners at 7 ish weeks old. Prior to them arriving I had cut an oil drum in half length ways and very very thoroughly cleaned it. The edges of the halves were folded over so there are no sharp edges. The drums have been half sunk into the ground. One is for water and one for food. Then the pigs arrived and I am worried they won't be able to reach into the bottom of the half drum for food or reach the water as the pigs seem very small. Does anyone have an idea whether the drums are going to be too deep, or whether the pigs will manage? I don't want to splash out on troughs etc if not needed, especially having fenced the pig enclosure this month! Some advice appreciated please.
PS the urgency is that if we need to find an alternative we need to get on with it asap.
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Put some breeze blocks or bricks in the bottom of the water troff then if they fall in they can climb back out again, you can used dog bowls for little weaners feed, easy to pick up and wash and move them onto bigger troffs later.
hth
Mandy :pig:
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Half oil drums are pretty deep - might be useful when they're older but how will you tip and clean out the drinking one and prevent the feed one filling with rainwater? Is it under cover? Do you have some old slabs you can spread the feed on? An old wok or similar you can sink into the ground as a starter drinker?
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The slabs seem a really good idea for food. I have given them a large flat plastic tray for the moment and mainly filled the water with bricks. Feeling much happier now, thank you.
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We use a realy heavy rubber dustbin lid for feed, it works a treat.
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Need to avoid the pigs from being able climb in the feed and water troughs really, they only contaminate the feeds and water, same a floor feeding, Tyre Trugs make some amazing recycled products, available from most merchants, we have used them for years and there easy to clean, just a quick jet wash. Galvinsed feeders are good too, we have a few, but their expensive and the pigs really enjoy breaking them where as the rubber ones take a good hit and are still good go!
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We use tyre bowl drinkers for our pigs. You can pack the tyre with earth/stones to weigh it down and the bowl lifts out easily to clean and refill. We've been using them for about 4 years with everything from piglets to fully grown boars and sows and haven't had to replace any of them - they're FAB :thumbsup:
You'll be able to get them in most equine places but Supplies for Smallholders sell them online, they're less than £20 and well worth it.
Karen
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We use the tyre trug things too and we have had a few destroyed by pigs. Litters of weaners seem to like to che at them and once they all get excited and start pulling and tugging at them it's curtains. None of our adult pigs have ever damaged one though.