How to choose the best housing for your pig

A pig house is one of the most important considerations that any aspiring pig farmer needs to keep in mind. Pigs need optimal conditions to survive and thrive. This includes; a dry bed, protection from extreme temperatures, fresh air, hygiene, access to water and feed as well as space.

Each pig house should be unique. If you want to venture in breeding piglets, the farrowing pens need a creep feed area. This area will serve the piglets to access a starter meal away from their mother. Besides, the pen needs to have a guard rail to prevent the mother from crushing the piglets against the wall at sucking time.

Selection of housing location

The site should be at a raised area that cannot be engulfed by rainwater. It should be sheltered from the sun and have ample fresh air. It should be far-away from residential areas to ensure a calm and quiet place for the pigs.

Ensure three is enough to supply of freshwater in the farm area and a suitable area for manure disposal. A good transportation system is important for ease of access to veterinary services.

Pointers for constructing a pig house

The roof must be rainproof while the floor should be three metres by three meters and raised at about 60 cm above the ground. The floorboards should have spaced between two to three centimetres.

The house should be constructed according to the climatic conditions. A pig house in coastal areas should be provided with adequate heat circulators. Stone-built houses are not recommended in cold areas.

Good ventilation system to prevent overheating and ample shade. It is also important to remember that it should have no dampness.

Divide the house into different pens for each phase of the production cycle. Farrowing pigs need a space of between 1.5 to 2.0 square meters per pig. Breeding boars will need six to eight square meters per pig.

Bad housing

Bad housing can lead to slow or retarded growth as well as poor health, diarrhoea, piglets’ death after birth, abortion, the spread of contagious diseases and parasitic infection.

Pig farming is a lucrative venture if done right. Remember how you treat pigs will mostly reflect in your pig production.