The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: charlie on February 27, 2010, 09:58:25 pm

Title: pig arcs
Post by: charlie on February 27, 2010, 09:58:25 pm

do pig arcs need flooring. Or can i get away with a good bit of straw on the ground in side :pig:

Title: Re: pig arcs
Post by: sausagesandcash on February 28, 2010, 01:47:07 am

I put down pallets,a layer of plastic sheet, covered with sheets of ply, or off cuts of 'tongue and groove' wooden flooring (We have a good supply of these for our arcs). Build up the ground around the bottom of the pallet to stop wind blowing under it. Then I scatter plenty of straw, so that they can make their nest, and still have enough to scatter a bit outside. If you don't they'll most likely spend the winter lying in wet bedding..not a pleasant thought.
You can save yourself a lot of money in bedding if you use my method. When we started we had no flooring and spent a more than ideal amount of money on straw. We had to, otherwise the poor creatures would have been miserable

Title: Re: pig arcs
Post by: Hilarysmum on February 28, 2010, 08:43:14 am

Totally opposite here, we started with floors in the arcs and then took them out.  We start with a good thick layer of straw which we top up regularly.  We find the straw deteriorates due to the pigs going in and out of the arc, the piglets use far more than the larger sows. 

I think its a case of whichever you prefer to start with then see how you go. 

Title: Re: pig arcs
Post by: supplies for smallholders on February 28, 2010, 05:00:49 pm

Both have their merits and drawbacks,

Thanks

Gareth
www.suppliesforsmallholders.co.uk

Title: Re: pig arcs
Post by: sausagesandcash on February 28, 2010, 06:48:17 pm

Nice arcs on your site!

Title: Re: pig arcs
Post by: supplies for smallholders on February 28, 2010, 06:56:53 pm

Quote from: sausagesandcash on February 28, 2010, 06:48:17 pm

Nice arcs on your site!

Thankyou - Made by a commercial pig housing manufacturer in the UK.

Gareth

Title: Re: pig arcs
Post by: Anke on February 28, 2010, 08:55:29 pm

Depends on your soil, site, wind/rain direction etc etc. We have heavy clay and therefore our homebuilt arks have strong flooring. Need less straw for bedding and warm/dry. We still dont keep pigs through the winter though, would need concrete area for that.... You should see the mud on the holding a the moment!

Title: Re: pig arcs
Post by: Elissian on March 01, 2010, 05:20:38 pm

the mud is horrendous here too. I'm having to put fresh straw in every other day for the fatteners. the sows dont make nearly so much mess. i'm trying to find someone to make me some skids for the arks as they really need fresh ground, they'll be slaughtered in a month but if the rain keeps coming they'll be swimming at this rate!

Title: Re: pig arcs
Post by: Helencus on March 01, 2010, 05:48:53 pm

You should see where i am. Mine have their own little lake at the moment along with ankle breaking mud. Thankfully they have enough room to avoid the lake and love the mud. Roll on spring though. Oh and I have heavy soil so flooring was a must for mine.

Title: Re: pig arcs
Post by: HeronsReach on March 03, 2010, 10:11:51 pm

I took my floors out as they kept crapping in a corner

I just put a bag of fresh straw in every weekend