How to Make a Hog Cage

Lay two 36-inch boards flat, parallel and with their outside edges 48 inches apart. To create the base (floor) of the cage, place six 48-inch boards, flat, upon the 36-inch boards, running at right angles to the shorter boards, with even spacing between them (spaces will be 1/2-inch apart). The ends of the 48-inch boards should be flush with the outside edges of the 36-inch boards. The ends of the 36-inch boards should be flush with the outside edges of the two outermost 48-inch boards. Before screwing the boards together, drill holes to guide and facilitate the insertion of the screws. Bit size should be small enough that the screws will still hold tight. Then attach the 48-inch boards to the 36-inch boards using four screws for each board (and the screw gun, of course). This is the base to your hog cage.

Mount the four corner uprights. Taking the first of these 40-inch boards, position it on end, perpendicularly against the side of each 36-inch board. The 6-by-40-inch surfaces will be flat against the 36-inch board. The outside edges of the 40-inch boards should be flush with the ends of the 36-inch boards. As with each step, drill holes to make screw insertions easier. Run each of four screws through each 40-inch board and into the base of the stand.

Set a 39-inch board flat on top of the ends of each pair of 40-inch boards so the corners are flush. Screw through the 39-inch boards and into the ends of the 40-inch boards. Use a total of eight screws for this step. Four screws for each 39-inch board -- so that two screws enter the top end of each 40-inch board.

Build the sidewalls. Position three 48-inch boards flat against a pair of 40-inch boards so their ends are flush with the outside edges of the 40-inch boards. Space the boards so that the gaps are 8 inches apart, with the two outside boards 6 inches away from the ends of the 40-inch boards. Screw the 48-inch boards to the 40-inch boards using using six screws for each board. Repeat this step on the opposite side of the cage.

Build the back wall. Hold three 42-inch boards horizontally against the ends of the 48-inch boards from the last step. The corners between these boards must be flush. Screw the 42-inch boards to the 48-inch boards using six screws for each board. This is the back of your cage.

Lay two 30-inch boards flat, parallel and with their outside edges 36 inches apart. Lay three 36-inch boards perpendicularly on top of them spaced 7 inches apart. The edges of the 36-inch boards should be flush with the ends of the 30-inch boards. Screw the 36-inch boards to the 30-inch board using six screws for each board. This is the door (gate) to your cage.

Position your door in the opening of the cage opposite the back end of your cage. The 30-inch boards should be perpendicular to the base and 1 inch above the base. The 36-inch boards should be flush with the 40-inch boards. Screw three hinges to the 36-inch boards on the door and the 40-inch boards on cage. The door must be able to swing outward from the cage. Use the hinge hardware provided.

Screw your latch to the middle 36-inch board on the door (gate), affixing it to the side of the gate opposite the hinge. Attach the latch plate (or whatever hardware provides the latch point) to the 40-inch board opposite the side with the hinges.