Herd cage question for you experts.

[Erin8607]

I'll be down to just my own pigs next weekend if plans to transport my remaining rescues to another rescue go through as planned (health problems have really made running the rescue a huge problem in recent months).

This means, I'd like to rearrange my pigs, do different cages and hopefully put all my females together. Not only make them easier to clean with open C&C instead of stacked condos' that I have now, but as they pass away (my pigs are all 5+), I won't have to worry about reintroducing pigs into new herds....


You guys think a 2x20 c&c cage would be suitable for 18 females?

[SerpentineSylph]

Now, whole square footage thing still boggles my mind, but with that many piggies in one pen, I would think it'd make sense to expand a little more width wise and turn it into a 3x20 if possible. You know, if five choose to go over -there- at one time, there will be more room to pass through.

This is just my humble opinion, though.

(C) 2008, SerpentineSylph.
No square-foot knowledge involved in the making of this post.

[wiggley_narco]

Eh, I'd definitely expand it to at least a 3x20. A 2x20 is awful narrow for 18! sows...

[Feylin]

Can you make it something like 5x15? I had to make mine wider (3x5 instead of a 2x6)to get the square feet needed for 3 boys (with 1 grouchy herd boss) even though I couldn't make it as long as I should have.

Also, i'm impressed that you have ROOM for a 2x20!

[Erin8607]

I need to keep it 2 grids wide, might be able to get away with a 2 1/2. Why with more pigs would it need to be wider? Wouldn't length be just as useful? I can turn a corner and make it a 2x20 with some more on the other wall, maybe another 2x5 or so. Still need room for a cage for 4 boys too, though.

I need to be able to put a cover over it. I have 5 dogs, 2 of which have high prey drive (one sight hound). The shelving that I have is only wide enough for 2 grids wide.

The pigs in question are all over the age of 5. Not a whole lotta activity these days.

[Erin8607]

I know levels don't add to square footage (which, I am bad at figuring, which is why I posted!), but I could add some lofts here and there. The pigs are fleece junkies, so maybe some fleece-y lofts would be well loved for the old timers.

[naturegal592]

Instead of using shelves to hold the cage could you make a stand with grids for it? Then you could make it a 3x? I agree a 2x? sounds narrow for that many pigs. However I think it is great you have that much room for your pigs.

[Ly&Pigs]

Erin, I'm sorry about your health problems and having to transfer most of your rescue pigs to another rescue.

A 2x20 is fine and large enough for 18 sows.

The basic concept is to take a 2x3 for 2 sows and add on a 1x2 section for each additional pig. So when you do that a 2x20 is room enough for 19 sows but if you are only putting in 18, there is plenty of room.

[Erin8607]

Shelving for a lid, not stand.

ETA; Thanks LY, the square footage issue just gives me a headache. The pigs are in groups of 3-5 now, biggest cage for them now is a 2x5, so, it will be an improvement for them. At 186 pigs max at one time here, I had to scamp for space... would like to spread them out and get them out of the stacked condo's. More sunlight, more interaction from me, and more friends to live with.

The boys will remain in their foursome, but maybe get a wing near the girls so they can swoon and sway their manliness for the girlies. Pistachio will be first to hit on the girls with his one eyed charm.