Many farmers who raise pigs simply raise them inside pig pens. However, some people decide to make cages for pigs with their own hands according to drawings and dimensions. Before this, you need to understand the features of such structures, as well as recommendations for their manufacture.
Why do you need a special cage?
Many beginners who have recently become farmers are interested in what exactly special cages may be needed for. Most often, young sows are placed inside such structures.It is no secret that the productivity of the pig population is directly related to the survival of newborn pigs. Pigs are heavy and after giving birth they become clumsy, which is why they can accidentally crush newborn piglets. To prevent this from happening, the female is placed in a special farrowing cage.
In it, the sow will be kept together with the newborn pigs until they are able to eat on their own. At the same time, the design features of the cage will not allow the pig to accidentally crush the animals. This farrowing box is very convenient for piglets, as they can independently reach their mother to eat. Moreover, such movements are absolutely safe for them.
Pens for keeping pigs have the following advantages:
- Safety. The animals inside will not be able to harm each other.
- Ease of use. The farmer can easily clean such cages from manure and other waste.
- Disease prevention. Piglets inside the pen are much less likely to suffer from infectious and viral diseases.
Primary requirements
Before equipping a pen in which piglets will be kept, it is necessary to familiarize yourself with the requirements. These include the following:
- High-quality manufacturing materials. A pen for piglets should be created from high-strength and durable materials. For example, steel pipes with galvanized surface are often used to create them. They do not corrode, even if they are located indoors with high humidity levels. Metal machines are considered to be of the highest quality because, if used correctly, they will last for decades.
- Can be placed anywhere in the barn. In order for the machine to be placed in a pigsty, it must be of a straight or diagonal type.These options are suitable for placement on a farm. However, it is better to give preference to straight designs, since diagonal ones are more difficult to care for.
- There should be no large gaps between the walls. Such holes are considered dangerous because piglets' hooves can get stuck in them. Therefore, when making the machine, you need to be very careful and eliminate any gaps that could injure the animals.
- Possibility to move the walls. Sliding structures should be installed in pigsties, as they allow large and small pigs to be kept inside. However, such products are not popular among farmers due to their high cost.
Drawings and dimensions
Before you start making a pig cage, you need to develop a drawing with dimensions marked on it. The dimensions of the structure largely depend on the size of the sow that will be kept inside. Adults reach more than 300 kilograms in weight. Therefore, for such animals it is necessary to make larger cages so that the animal feels freer. For such a pig, the width of the wall should be about seventy centimeters. However, if desired, they can make more of it. The length of the structure also depends on the size of the pig and small piglets.
You should not make cages less than one and a half meters long, as they will be too small.
It is also necessary to determine in advance the optimal height of the walls. They must be such that the pig cannot get out. The height of the cage is about a meter. In this case, the distance from the floor surface to the bottom of the wall is 30-45 centimeters. You shouldn't leave too much of a gap, as small pigs can escape from the pen through it.
Tools and materials for manufacturing
Before you begin making the cage, you need to prepare the following list of tools and materials that will be needed during work:
- Bulgarian. An indispensable tool that allows you to cut into pieces products made from durable metal sheets.
- Circular file. May be needed for sawing boards that are laid on the floor.
- Protective mask. Useful to protect your eyes from sparks that appear while working with an angle grinder.
- Roulette. This is a common tool that is used when taking measurements.
- Steel grille with perforation. She is laid on the floor.
- Heating lamp. Installed inside the cage to warm newborn piglets.
- Screwdriver. This may be necessary if you have to screw in metal screws.
- Hammer. Needed to arrange a wooden floor inside the cage.
How to make a pig cage with your own hands
The production of a cage for piglets is carried out in several stages:
- Creating a frame. First you need to make the frame of the machine. It is made from durable metal pipes. Wooden beams are used less frequently. To make a frame, you need to connect four posts with iron crossbars. At the same time, they are fixed in such a way that the structure resembles the letter “P”.
- Frame installation. It is located at a height of 15-20 centimeters from the floor surface. The installed frame is the basis for laying the flooring in the cage. You can attach both metal sheets and wooden boards to it.
- Making walls. Most often, walls are made of iron bars. However, some people use wood strips instead.
- Installation of the feeder.It should be attached to the front half of the pen where the sow will be.
- Door installation. The door to enter the cage is created at the back. A gap of 10 centimeters is made between it and the floor. This will simplify the removal of manure located between the flooring and the gate.
- Floor insulation. Its surface should be covered with straw or hay to make it more comfortable for the piglets to lie down. This bedding will have to be changed daily.
Conclusion
Sometimes it is necessary to use a cage to house sows. You can purchase it or make it yourself. However, before making such a design, you need to familiarize yourself with the features of its creation.
