Fencing

[a'ightthen]

Well shoot, figured that there would be a sticky here on fencing and pens

I intend to raise a couple/few this year for the family.

Grew up next door to the grandfather that did this each year .... but he died in 1976 when I was but a lad and frankly, the squealing from them being shot with a BB gun ( like you never did that) is the main memory.

Fencing was basically cattle fencing but they had access to part of the old chicken house. Neighbor ran many and they always seemed to get loose into our yard ( along with his goats which provide many interesting stories but...) .... but do not remember any of ours getting loose.

There was, and still is, a processor that would would come in for the kill, haul off and a trip there would provide us with pork for the year.

I'll do this again but was looking for fencing info ... figured it would be here.

[highlands]

Lots of threads on fencing with good ideas. Here's a Google search pattern:

http://www.google.com/search?q=site:...pigs%20fencing

You can also use the "Search This Forum" link in the upper right corner of the forum's home page.

No, I've never shot them with a BB gun.

We use electric smooth wire for the most part on two 15Joule energizers plus one 6Joule energizer. I would not go below 2.5Joules. Mostly a mix of 12.5 gauge high tensile wire and polywire. Poultry netting also works as does hog panels and even pallets. Pigs are very respectful of electric once trained to it. Heights are low and walking nose plus any extra you want. Visual demarkation helps.

We do managed rotational grazing so they get the vast majority of their food from our pastures. Here's more on our fencing and grazing:

http://www.sugarmtnfarm.com/?s=fencing

http://www.sugarmtnfarm.com/?s=rotational%20grazing

Also see the Feed sticky on the forum page for ideas on things to plant in the fields:

Feed