The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: SuibhneGeilt on May 07, 2020, 11:13:32 am
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Hi there. I'm looking at getting two weaners (Tamworth) but don't have an area fenced in yet. We have an old orchard with a couple of apple trees, beach trees etc. so I think it would be perfect, if a little over grown.
My main question is, is electric sheep or poultry netting is enough to keep them in? Or do I need to consider using wired sheep fencing with posts? I doubt they've been trained to electric already, but I think the netting shouldn't take too much training..
I'd prefer the electric netting just for the ease of getting it setup, but I also don't want them to get out because we have a Sitka spruce plantation right beside is, and I can only imagine what kind of a nightmare fetching them back out of that would be.
Any advice much appreciated. Thanks!
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Never used netting before. We only use a single HT wire or polyrope (both connected to electric). For added security you could double them up.
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I've seen numerous videos on youtube of Americans keeping pigs using only two or three strands of electric wire but they need to be trained first, so if you choose that route you need to train them first. Have them in a secure pen with walls or adequate fencing and an electric wire all around on the inside so they get used to what it is, then you can move them to your orchard.
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I've only ever used electric behind a stock fence - and even then they used to check it several times a day! Loads of people keep them sucessfully behind electric strands, but personally based on my experience I would sleep better knowing they were behind stock fence and electric on the inside
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I think it depends what's on the other side of the electric fence!
In our case, if our weaners broke through the electric, they'd just end up in a securely fenced field, so there's really no harm done.
However, if the open road and freedom beckoned, we'd be using something more secure!!