The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: Womble on March 03, 2016, 04:16:15 pm

Title: Plastic Tank Pig Arks?
Post by: Womble on March 03, 2016, 04:16:15 pm

Hi everybody,

I've just been given a 2500 litre oil tank like this one, that I'd like to turn into a pig ark:

(http://1.1.1.3/bmi/www.simonlovellengineering.com/images/TITAN/H2500.jpg)

This will only be for two, maybe three traditional breed weaners, taken on to pork weight over the summer months.

The tank itself is roughly 4ft x 7ft, so I was thinking of cutting it in half to make a couple of small pig arks like this one (https://lifeattheendoftheroad.wordpress.com/2008/09/05/more-deluxe-pig-housing/):

(https://lifeattheendoftheroad.files.wordpress.com/2008/09/030908-022-small.jpg)

My worry is, half the tank will only be 2ft tall, which doesn't feel like enough for fully grown porkers. Do you think I'll need to put a wooden 'skirt' on the bottom to give it more height perhaps, and if so, what size should I make the door opening?

Also, the ark will be sited on well drained level ground. Do you think a cut down stable mat will be ok to use as a floor?

Thanks folks!  :thumbsup:

Title: Re: Plastic Tank Pig Arks?
Post by: Marches Farmer on March 03, 2016, 06:56:02 pm

3 traditional breed growers would be pretty snug in an uncut one as they approached finishing weight and something 2ft high would be too small, especially as air circulation above head height is important for comfort on hot days.

Title: Re: Plastic Tank Pig Arks?
Post by: Fleecewife on March 03, 2016, 06:57:09 pm

We used one of those 1000l black orange juice tanks, cut in half from top to bottom then laid flat.  The first one we used as is when the pigs were wee, then we added a wooden skirt, as you suggest.  It didn't take long though before they were carrying the things around on their backs as they had outgrown them.
We made the entrance quite big, to help the ventilation.
Our lambs have them now, both to hide in and to leap over. :pig: :pig:

Title: Re: Plastic Tank Pig Arks?
Post by: Womble on March 03, 2016, 07:21:29 pm

OK, suspicions confirmed then!

Stupid Womble moment: So how high should the ceiling of the ark be off the ground ideally? 3ft? higher?

I've never actually met a fully grown porker, so don't know how big they get.  What are we talking?  St Bernard?  Zwartble Ewe? Shetland Pony? ???   

Title: Re: Plastic Tank Pig Arks?
Post by: mowhaugh on March 03, 2016, 10:03:55 pm

My large blacks are bigger than our Shetland pony, he's 9.2hh

Title: Re: Plastic Tank Pig Arks?
Post by: HappyHippy on March 04, 2016, 07:44:10 am

All our adult pigs over the years have managed with arcs that are 4ft high (Tamworth / OSB / Large Blacks).
For 'porkers' (85kg live weight approx) you don't need quite as high.....maybe 3ft?
HTH

Title: Re: Plastic Tank Pig Arks?
Post by: Womble on March 04, 2016, 08:06:54 am

Thanks all.  I'll extend it up to a bit over 3ft and we'll see how we go. If they start wearing it like an umbrella, I'll know it's time for them to go! :-)

Title: Re: Plastic Tank Pig Arks?
Post by: Bionic on March 04, 2016, 11:04:12 am

Womble, remember that you might also need to get inside for cleaning (not that they need much of that) or if anything was wrong with one of the piggies.

Title: Re: Plastic Tank Pig Arks?
Post by: Womble on March 04, 2016, 11:09:57 am

Good thought Bionic.

Hopefully 3ft will be tall enough for Mrs Womble to fit inside, but not me.  Job done!  :thumbsup: