Baby Proofing: Baby Proofing

[PhoenixFeather]

We are about to build a C&C cage for a 6-week old sow. I was planning on just making the coro higher rather than double-gridding, since we'll have extra coro anyhow. I haven't been able to find anything authoritative on how high we should make it (8"? 10"?) or how long she will need it that high. when she doesn't need it I'd want to cut it down so she get better air circulation. Since the cage is open on the top though, I assume the air circulation will be fine even with the higher sides.

How will I know when she's big enough not to need the babyproofing anymore? She already looks way too big to fit through the holes!

Thanks!

[Malhablada]

I can tell you the method I use to test whether baby proofing is still required, but before I start, a caveat: BE VERY CAREFUL WITH THIS. It could be dangerous.

Basically, I set up a play pen made of the standard grids and put the pig on the floor. If they're excitable, I pick them back up, because you don't want them charging the sides.

Once I've gotten them reasonably calm, I put them in the playpen and try to SLOWLY tempt them through the grids with whatever food they're most fond of. A baby carrot broken in half works pretty well for me.

If s/he can, the piggie will try to crawl through the squares. You've got to watch this like a hawk, and I wouldn't recommend trying this technique unless you can completely control the situation. For example, you wouldn't want a loud noise to startle the pig and make them surge forward through the square and get stuck.

I stop tempting if they can get their head through the square as far as their eyes, because I figure if they can make it that far, they could get their whole head through with enough force.

If you want a baby-proofing solution with good ventilation, you can try tacking up hardware cloth. It can be cut to size, so you won't have issues with the connectors.

[PhoenixFeather]

Thanks! That method does sound effective, but it would make me very nervous! Can you tell me approximately what age your sows get big enough to discard the baby-proofing?

[Malhablada]

I wish I could give you a concrete answer on that one, believe me. Unfortunately, that's going to depend on your sow's size and weight.

My smallest sow is over two months old and barely weighs 13 ounces, and I don't even need to test her to know she's too small to get rid of her baby proofing. I don't want to tell you to just eyeball it, because safety always comes first.

All I can say is that your best bet is to be overprotective until she's so enormous that you know there's no way she can get stuck (and unless she's very small, that day will definitely come).

Hopefully, someone with a more definitive answer will come along to help you.

[ortal]

I got my 2 girls at what I now know was a very very young age. During their first floor time one got through the grids. However, with coroplast at 6 inches, they cannot go ove there. They still cannot put their feet above the coroplast walls.