Am I correct in assuming the gray wall directly opposite the chainlink is the building? Be aware that pigs rub HARD on things and the protruding boards will look inviting. Too much of that rubbing and they may move walls...
Avoiding vet bills: that sheet metal is extremely sharp. They will be trying to burrow under it. If they hit that sheet metal.... You will want to SECURELY cover the bottom. A hot wire will only work until they bury it.... At least the sheet metal doesn't invite rubbing.
Good thing you put the chainlink on the outside of the posts. Prevents rubbing, and will support the chainlink better.
Have you figured out what you will do to prevent smell? It's a mighty small area for 2 pigs. If allowed pigs tend to use 1 area for a potty. If it's cleaned out religiously, that will help.
There needs to be a deep muddy area for them to cool down in, always. Have you planned that?
Best practices has it that between 225 - 250 lbs should be the maximum for butchering.
And I'd make 2 good size sturdy but not heavy pig boards, in case you need to handle them. And practice with the boards, on your pigs or your friend's before you need to do it...
Great comment!
But you just worry too much 😘 Or maybe you're just a perfectionist at heart 😊
If you see how pigs are raised over here... none of those concerns are manifested. Context is important tho...
We have raised pigs and have had many of these problems... Just trying to head off headaches down the road...
Tons of information! 😍
No, the apartment isn't in the picture. It needs new siding anyways, but we'll be running another chain link up along it to keep them off it.
The metal fence all has concrete underlayment, so they can't dig under and get cut on it.
For the smell, we'll be adding copious daily wood chips so that any poop smell will be converted to compost smell. Justin Rhodes did the same, and reported that there was no smell from his two pigs in an even smaller area than this. That's actually the series that got me into this idea.
This corner used to be called the digging area. We've changed that first letter to "p" instead, but left the remnants of the digging, there'll be no shortage of wallows for the critters. As a matter of fact, the kids were using it as such just as I was setting the area up lolol I should have got a picture, they were filthy 🤣 and once the pigs are here, the kids will be banished from the area. Farmer-Sam-finished-pork just doesn't sound appetizing...
LOL Nate!