Caroline,
I've never had pigs where they could get the chance, but I have read they swim just fine. I would not let them near a river.
First time I raised pigs, I built a pen next to the barn so only had to build three sides. Drove in two steel fence posts as needed to lay in 2 X 4 material to pen them. They never did dig under though as they get older and start rooting they can. I also built a shed roof much as you describe to keep them out of the sun and rain. Also a wood raised floor bedded in straw to keep them warm at night. They will do very well with such a shelter. I raised pigs in that same shelter for six years.
Pigs are pretty tough, though, and can tolerate a lot of abuse. But my attitude was always these guys are here for my table, but I'll make their life as pleasant as possible, even if short.
If you let them get too hungry the rooting will start sooner and with more vigor. Livestock are a committment and since they depend on you to meet all their needs you must fill those needs. If you must leave try to find additional help to get them taken care of. The better you care for them, they better they will do for you. They are quite personable, a lot of fun, and very rewarding to have around over and above dinner time.
Best of luck with a new project. Read some of the available books like Belangers' Raising the Homestead Hog.
For your enjoyment, I was at university one day when the three little piggies broke jail. I got home in the early evening to discover my landlady who was 72 at the time running all over the paddock chasing the pigs with a broom trying to get them back into their pen which the horse had broken down in one corner.
Gracie was calling some mighty naughty names to my pigs, but they all were much quicker than she was. But I had raised my pigs well and solved this simply by going in the barn, getting a couple scoops of goat grain into a bucket and then going out, called the pigs, and played "shake the can" They came running and ran right back into their pen for a quick snack. Gracie was so mad she was spitting...even at me after seeing that.
bearkiller
I've never had pigs where they could get the chance, but I have read they swim just fine. I would not let them near a river.
First time I raised pigs, I built a pen next to the barn so only had to build three sides. Drove in two steel fence posts as needed to lay in 2 X 4 material to pen them. They never did dig under though as they get older and start rooting they can. I also built a shed roof much as you describe to keep them out of the sun and rain. Also a wood raised floor bedded in straw to keep them warm at night. They will do very well with such a shelter. I raised pigs in that same shelter for six years.
Pigs are pretty tough, though, and can tolerate a lot of abuse. But my attitude was always these guys are here for my table, but I'll make their life as pleasant as possible, even if short.
If you let them get too hungry the rooting will start sooner and with more vigor. Livestock are a committment and since they depend on you to meet all their needs you must fill those needs. If you must leave try to find additional help to get them taken care of. The better you care for them, they better they will do for you. They are quite personable, a lot of fun, and very rewarding to have around over and above dinner time.
Best of luck with a new project. Read some of the available books like Belangers' Raising the Homestead Hog.
For your enjoyment, I was at university one day when the three little piggies broke jail. I got home in the early evening to discover my landlady who was 72 at the time running all over the paddock chasing the pigs with a broom trying to get them back into their pen which the horse had broken down in one corner.
Gracie was calling some mighty naughty names to my pigs, but they all were much quicker than she was. But I had raised my pigs well and solved this simply by going in the barn, getting a couple scoops of goat grain into a bucket and then going out, called the pigs, and played "shake the can" They came running and ran right back into their pen for a quick snack. Gracie was so mad she was spitting...even at me after seeing that.
bearkiller