New AGH's - Am I ready?

enggass · #1 07/07/12, 07:57 PM

Hey all,
I am picking up my two 4 month old AGHs next weekend. I have a large lush wooded area fenced in waiting for them to forge in. I plan on having a large water bowl siting inside a tire to start. I will have lots of garden scraps. An a-frame shelter with straw placed inside. I plan on picking up a 50# bag of feed for them just to supplement protein intake. A cup or two a day.

How much straw should I get for the shelter? Inside is about 6'x4' on the ground with slanting walls. It's made of two 4' pallets connected at a 45º angle. Good enough for a starter shelter.

What am I forgetting if anything? Should I get some hay at this point. Doubt they'll need it with everything else. Or would it be a good idea to feed them some in preparation for next winter - so they get used to it.

Thanks,
Steve

Menglish · #2 07/07/12, 08:59 PM

Sounds good to me. I'd guess a bale of straw would be more than adequate. Be prepared for them to sleep wherever they please in good weather. I wouldn't worry about hay too much for now. They won't hardly touch it if they have good greenery to munch on.

Do be prepared for them to be a little slow to begin eating foreign stuff. At four months if they haven't ate it before it may take a little time for them to adjust to the change in diet...but they will!

Happy Hogger · #3 07/09/12, 05:34 AM

Don't forget a wallow (sp?). They'll need something to stay cool.

For the waterer, we use a hog nipple waterer. Very easy. Just drill a whole towards the bottom of a 5 gallon bucket. We secure ours in the corner of the fence with 2 x 4's. You can even add a lid so that "stuff" doesn't get in and it keeps it clean.

Congrats on your new animals!

enggass · #4 07/09/12, 09:13 AM

What size hog nipple waterer do you use with the 5 gallon bucket? Can you direct to one with a link? Also, part of the area they will be in has nice shade and damp/wet ground for them to stay cool... Thanks.

gerold · #5 07/09/12, 07:09 PM

Hog Watering Systems, Pig Water Cups, Piglet Nipple, Nipple Feeder, Sow Drinker, Sow Bowl Waterer, Sow Nipple Waterer -

FarmTek http://www.agselect.com/agselect/pdf...ngBrochure.pdf

enggass · #6 07/09/12, 07:16 PM

Thanks for the links - If I were to use with a 5gal bucket, what size nipple should I be looking at?
Steve

gerold · #7 07/09/12, 07:48 PM

Nipple Waterers - Waterers - Farm & Livestock | QC Supply

Here another link. What size pig do you have and match it to the correct nipple.

http://www.tractorsupply.com/monoflo...rinker-2169698

I got the one from Tractor supply shown in the above link. It is for sows. They have them for smaller pigs also.

I installed it in a 50 gal. barrel. It would work in any size container.

enggass · #8 07/09/12, 08:46 PM

I'm picking up two 4 month old AGHs that I plan to have for about a year.

enggass · #9 07/11/12, 01:04 PM

Can anyone post a picture or describe to me about what size an AGH male will be at 4 months of age? I have not seen any recent pics of the ones I am getting this weekend ad what like to know what to expect.
Thanks,
Steve

farmerjohn · #10 07/11/12, 02:04 PM

Enggass,
AGH are a smaller hog and are slow growing. As far as size-at 4 months-depends. If grain fed can be very "fat" and maybe approx. 12" to1 5" tall, approx. 20" to 24" long and all on relative short legs of approx.6". You could lift them on your own- hold on to front leg and a back leg on same side. If you have assistance then of course by all 4 legs. A pig of 4 months in this breed is well packed and is heavy. It will surprise you as to their weight. Just be careful when lifting and try to do so quickly. Pig should not be unduly struggling nor for very long as damage to joints can occur. 2 pigs will fit in a large size dog crate-those that are approximately 27x27" or so with room to spare. Picture a bloated 2 liter soda bottle with legs. Take some cracked corn and a small feed dish-put in cage close to yurs and they shouls actually go right in the cage with little effort for that corn. Make sure you have water available for the trip-especially if it is a long trip.Good Luck and any questions just ask.

enggass · #11 07/11/12, 02:18 PM

Thanks. Trip is about an hour - large cage in the back of a pickup. Would they need water in that short time? Also, you mention picking up by one leg front and back on same side. Can I not just lift them as I would a dog or cat? Or will they not like this and squirm too much. Newbie - can't you tell... thanks.

Levonsa · #12 07/11/12, 02:22 PM

Sounds like you are well prepared. As was said earlier, I wouldn't really bother with the hay until it starts to cool off. Good luck.

gerold · #13 07/11/12, 06:19 PM

AGHA