Things You'll Need
- Straw bedding
- Trough or waterer
- Hose
- Scrubber
- Disinfectant
- Pig feed
Instructions
Design and build a concrete structure that includes a low-sloping concrete floor that is at least 2 to 2 1/2 inches thick. Use a bay, or U-shaped design for each stall. Make concrete walls using rebar-reinforced cinder blocks mortared together with cement. Add a smooth stucco finish to help keep walls cleaner.
Prepare bedding at the closed end of the bay, or at one corner of a closed-in structure. Create a low bedding pile using straw or hay.
Section off an area adjacent to the sow's, where piglets can cuddle together and avoid the risk of getting crushed if they slept with her. Place boards across the wall with a 1-foot gap at the bottom to allow piglets to run to mom when it's feeding time.
Get a water trough or provide on-demand nipple waterers so pigs can drink at will without wasting water. Piglets drink between one-quarter and one-half quart of water every day. That amount increases to 16 to 18 quarts for an adult, and up to 25 quarts for a lactating sow.
Clean out the pig sty daily. Spray water from a hose over the floor surface to clean the floor. Move out urine and feces from the entire area. Scrub and disinfect bays when weaned piglets get moved to separate housing.
Feed pigs at regular times, twice daily, and use the recommended amounts of feed per package directions, to gain maximum nutrition. Get the correct type of feed for the age and weight of your pigs, and get special diet varieties for pregnant or nursing sows.
Examine your pigs frequently to check for signs of poor health. Look for sores, and note if they have diarrhea. Get regular checkups and immunizations from your veterinarian.