The Poultry Keeper

Andrew · Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2006 7:59 am Post subject: How much space for pigs?

Hi,

I was just wondering aloud as to how much space I would need for a pig or two? Is there a rough rule of thumb as with the chooks (1sq ft inside 1 sq mtr out). I really fancy some home grown bacon.....

Apart from space what else should I be thinking of?

I`m in the South of France so our winters are not very harsh, sometimes we can get snow for a couple of days, (none at all this year). But the summers are HOT.

All thoughts and comments welcome.

Cheers,
Andy

Issy · Joined: 22 Nov 2005 Posts: 371 Location: somerset

Hi Andy,

We allow 50sq metres per pig - you must keep two plus for company. It would be a good idea to buy weaners (8wks old) to start with and bring them on for the summer until you want to eat them. If you do that for a couple of years you learn alot about pigs and the breeds you like before committing to owning two sows that raise all sorts of questions - ie. where are you going to get rid of all the piglets - they can have up to 15 per litter and they need to have one or two litters a year each or they can develop problems. how are you going to arrange visits to the boar etc. You will need somewhere warm for them over the winter, a farrowing arc for them when needed and shade and a large wallow trough in the summer as pigs can die easily from heat stroke as they don't sweat. Having said all that we wouldn't be without ours but after a lot of thought we decided against keeping sows and just buy the weaners we want as it means we can try different pork and don't have the hastle of breeding.

sasha.p · Joined: 04 Sep 2005 Posts: 472 Location: gwent

i borrowed a book called the small holders manual by Katie thear from my library they say in here the recommended number is six breeding sows per 0.4 hectare(1 acre) with a minimum of 1.3sq m (14 sq ft)inside the house.trough space per pig should be 35cm(14inch).personally I'm not sure if this would be correct as i know there are various breeds various sized pigs out there but this may be of some help to you Very Happy

Andrew · Posted: Tue Apr 04, 2006 3:30 pm Post subject:

Thanks for your thoughts and ideas, I'll have to go to amazon for some books, and then take it from their. Obviously there are quite a difference in size of pigs, from little ones, through to the real biggies.

Lots of research, before I can do anything further, and I expect I'd have to get the neighbours really "emotional", if I want to get their blessing...

But whats life without dreams.

Once again thanks for the info,

Andy

traditionalbritishfowlco · Joined: 25 Jan 2006 Posts: 243 Location: lancashire

u could get hugh fearnley whittingstall's 'pig in a day' that shows you everything from getting the pigs to eating them! Although it is more focused on the meat aspect, you can see how big his pens and houses are... Very Happy