[P6te]

 I thought I’d share my new design for a 4 in 1 pig ark. Overall the ark is 8’ x 8’ with a hinged central divide providing optimum flexibility.
The idea is that the ark is sited on the boundary of 2 runs and generally the central divide provides 2 equal 8’ x 4’ areas accessed by full size entrances.
If I wish to use it for weaners the divide is moved into its secondary position cutting down the area that the weaners have - and reducing the chances of them using it as an ensuite.  The other side is then a large area of 8’ x 8’ x 8’ x 4’ plus.  For the weaners the smaller entrance is opened and the large adjacent entrance closed.  In theory the central divide and be removed completely leaving a full 8’ x 8’ area (making it 5 in 1) but in reality I don’t ever see the need.
The construction is the same principle I’ve used for all my large arks. I start with 3 off 8’ x 4’ x 12mm sheets of waterproof ply and cut them down to 8’ x’ 3’ and the 3 off cuts are then used to make up a 4^th 3’ x 8’ sheet. These are used as the lining to the ark.  I then use 2” x 4” timbers nailed to the ply onto which the 5/8” shiplap boards are then secured.  Entrances are formed as the front and backs are constructed.
All 4 sides are completed before assembly begins.  In this case I need a floor in the ark to enable the flexibility of a hinged divide. The base is old railway sleepers onto which the 4 sides are placed and bolted together … and then squared up exactly. The floor is made out of used builders planks cut to length and placed on top of the sleepers.
The roof is to be Onduline sheets so each side of the ark has 3 joists (2” x 4”) secured running front to back such that the roof line runs through correctly. (In the past I’ve used mini joist hangers but this time a nail gun made light work of the task).  The top joists are about 6” down from the apex and the lower ones 6” up with the middle support midway.
Before fitting the roof I made and fitted the central divide.  Its just under 3’ high to allow it to pivot right to the edge of the ark. It is 2 sheets of waterproof ply sandwiching  2” x 4” timbers. 2 large hinges secure it at one end and 2 large bolts at the other (one drops into the floor and the other on the top goes into the end of the ark).  The off cut from the ply sheets are then secured (in a fixed position) above the moveable divide but leaving about a 6” gap to allow the divide to be unbolted and moved with ease.
The roof requires 6 Onduline sheets in total (3 per side), they come 2 metres long but I cut them down to 5’ which is just right for the size of ark.  Finally 3 Onduline ridge tiles are used … all sheets and ridge tiles are nailed in place with the appropriate fasteners.
I will be putting angle iron / steel edging around door edges at to prevent ‘pig damage’.




Front prior to adding Shiplap Boards




Front showing construction




Front cladded



One side complete



Side construction shown




Railway Sleeper base (showing preperation for cutting hole through fencing)




4 sides complete with floor fitted




Front view  (you can just see the bottom hinge on central divide through weaner door)




View on 'Front' showing weaner door bolted shut




View inside ready for residents

[deepinthewoods]

thats really clever, and well made. ill remember this for future projects thanks.

[The Woodsiders]

work of art, very good

[ScotsGirl]

That looks like 5 star accommodation. Well done and hope the pigs appreciate it

[Berkshire Boy]

Looks great Pete one thing though I would use tanalized shiplap next time.

[P6te]

Looks great Pete one thing though I would use tantalized shiplap next time.

Thanks Steve, re tantalized, my timber yard didn't stock any but it is normally quite a lot more expensive ... come spring I'll treat all timber anyway. This ark in particular is well clear of the ground so I don't anticipate problems with the timber rotting.

Pete

[Fowgill Farm]

Very impressive, a coat of preserver and it will last a goodly length of time.
Might be worth drilling some air holes in both the apex though to allow stagnant air to circulate thro otherwise pneumonia city!
A veritable pigingham palace
mandy

[P6te]

Very impressive, a coat of preserver and it will last a goodly length of time.
Might be worth drilling some air holes in both the apex though to allow stagnant air to circulate thro otherwise pneumonia city!
A veritable pigingham palace
mandy

Thanks Mandy,
Re ventilation, I've found that the Onduline sheeting naturally provides good ventilation ... the ridge tiles sit on top of the corrugation and air flows very nicely out at the top.  With this ark having an opening at both ends I imagine there will be even more air flow than in others I've made along these lines with just a single door.
Pete

[Fowgill Farm]

Ah i see good idea with the ridge tiles lets air circulate but keeps wet out.
Well thought out design
mandy

[Blinkers]

Excellent - well done 

[rispainfarm]

Brilliant,  :)why don't you market. But if so I would get it out quickly in case someone copies your idea and starts proffiting from all your hard work.

[P6te]

Brilliant,  :)why don't you market. But if so I would get it out quickly in case someone copies your idea and starts proffiting from all your hard work.

Thanks for the vote of confidence in the design!! I had considered it but its one thing making an ark like this for yourself and another to sell.  I'm sure I could speed up a bit if making a number to order, but having made 4 now along these lines, this one took about 3 man days+ in total .... and the materials are certainly not cheap.  To sell just to break even would cost far more than the vast majority of people would be prepared to pay!
Just the roof - 6 sheets of Onduline and 3 ridge tiles and proper Onduline nails costs around £120 .... the railway sleepers and sufficient (second hand) builders planks for the floor were £75 before you look at 5 sheets of 12mm waterproof ply, many many metres of 4" x 2" timber and ship lap ... then add nails and other hardware and it all adds up!!

Pete

[Raine]

In that case, I would look at registering your plan's and then selling them on for people to build themselves.

[Mrs Snoodles]

Being able to pack different 'sets' of pigs into this might be a godsend for you in heavy winters. All those pigs together in one big ark like this will keep them nice and warm.  With the straight sides on the ark you could also consider erecting temporary extensions with tin or pig hurdles if you needed to restrict them in any way. The pig guys this way have done this - a tent like system with pigs on straw in their 'outdoor area'. Not ideal and extra work but when the land gets too heavy, a useful solution.

[P6te]

In that case, I would look at registering your plan's and then selling them on for people to build themselves.

Now that could be worth while ... even with the details posted here there is a LOT more detail needed to actually make one!!

Being able to pack different 'sets' of pigs into this might be a godsend for you in heavy winters. All those pigs together in one big ark like this will keep them nice and warm.  With the straight sides on the ark you could also consider erecting temporary extensions with tin or pig hurdles if you needed to restrict them in any way. The pig guys this way have done this - a tent like system with pigs on straw in their 'outdoor area'. Not ideal and extra work but when the land gets too heavy, a useful solution.

I agree entirely, at the moment we have 5 30 weeks old pigs that are ready to go in one side and an OSB boar and gilt in the other. If the weather turned very cold the shared warmth would most certainly benefit all. 

Pete