Do-it-yourself cages for pigs: drawings, dimensions and manufacturing instructions

Many farmers who raise pigs simply raise them inside pigsties. However, some people decide to make cages for pigs according to drawings and sizes with their own hands. Before that, you need to understand the features of such structures, as well as recommendations for their manufacture.

Why a special cage is needed

Many beginners who have recently become farmers are interested in what exactly special cells may be needed for. Most often, young sows are placed inside such structures. After all, it is no secret that the productivity of the pig population is directly related to the survival rate of newborn pigs.Pigs are heavy and become clumsy after birth, which can accidentally crush newborn piglets. To prevent this from happening, the female is placed in a special cage for farrowing.

In it, the sow will be kept together with the born pigs until they can eat on their own. At the same time, the design features of the cage will not allow the pig to accidentally crush the animals. Such a farrowing box is very convenient for the piglets, as they will be able to independently reach the mother to eat. Moreover, such movements are absolutely safe for them.

Pig keeping pens have the following advantages:

• Safety. The animals inside cannot harm each other.
• Ease of use. The farmer will be able to 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.

Basic Requirements

Before equipping the pen, which will contain piglets, you need to familiarize yourself with the requirements. These include the following:

• Quality materials. The machine for piglets should be created from high-strength and durable materials. For example, steel pipes with galvanized coating on the surface are often used to create them. They do not corrode, even if they are indoors with a high level of humidity. Metal machines are considered to be of the highest quality, as they will last for decades if properly used.
• Possibility of placing anywhere in the barn. In order for the machine to be placed in a pigsty, it must be of a straight or diagonal type. Such options are suitable for placement on the farm. However, it is better to give preference to straight designs, since diagonal ones are more difficult to care for.
• There should not be large gaps between the walls. Such holes are considered dangerous, as piglets' hooves can get stuck in them. Therefore, in the manufacture of the machine, one must be very careful and eliminate gaps that could injure animals.
• The ability to push 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 the high cost.

Drawings and dimensions

Before you start making a pig cage, you need to develop a drawing with dimensions printed on it. The dimensions of the structure largely depend on the size of the sow that will be kept inside. Adults reach over 300 kilograms in weight. Therefore, for such animals, it is necessary to make cages more spacious so that the animal feels freer.For such a pig, the width of the wall should be about seventy centimeters. However, if desired, it is made even more. The length of the structure also depends on the size of the pig and small piglets.

Do not make cages less than 1.5 meters long, as they will be too small.

It is also necessary to determine in advance the optimal height of the walls. They should be such that the pig could not get out. The height of the cage is about a meter. In this case, the distance from the floor surface to the lower part of the wall is 30-45 centimeters. It is not worth leaving too much clearance, because through it small pigs will be able to escape from the pen.

Tools and materials for making

Before you start making a 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 the sparks that appear while working with the grinder.
• Roulette. This is a common tool used during measurements.
• Steel grating with perforation. She is placed on the floor.
• Heat lamp. Installed inside the cage for warming newborn piglets.
• Screwdriver. May be needed if you have to drive metal screws.
• Hammer. Needed to equip the wooden floor inside the cage.

How to make a cage for pigs with your own hands

Manufacture 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. Rarely used wooden beams. To make a frame, you need to connect four racks with iron crossbars. At the same time, they are fixed in such a way that the design resembles the letter “P”.
• Installing the frame. 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. Both metal sheets and wooden boards can be attached to it.
• Wall making. Most often, the walls are made of iron bars. However, some use wood planks instead.
• Installing the feeder. It should be attached to the front half of the pen where the sow will be.
• Installing the door. The door to enter the cage is created from behind. A gap of 10 centimeters is made between it and the floor. This will make it easier to clean up the manure between the floor and the gate.
• Floor insulation. Its surface must be covered with straw or hay so that the piglets are more comfortable lying down. This bedding will need to be changed daily.

Conclusion

Sometimes you have to use a cage to keep sows. You can buy it or make your own. However, before making such a design, you need to familiarize yourself with the features of its creation.

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