For those who are about to establish a small-scale swine farm, much research is needed before entering this venture. Proper swine care includes knowing everything you can about housing, swine waste management, feeding and veterinary care. In order to ensure that you give your animals the best care possible, consider the following.
If you have a good-size piece of property that is well fenced, you might consider allowing your pigs to roam free. While they will enjoy grazing and finding shady spots in which to relax, you still will need to provide them with access to food troughs and clean water, as well as some type of shelter. Typically, farmers who raise free roaming pigs will build one or more pig arks where the swine can escape from rain and heat. This ark, which typically is a half circle comprise of metals sheets and wooden supports, also will include fresh and clean bedding for your animals.
You also can build a pigpen or sty for your animals. The sty should be located on high ground that is not prone to flooding, but it also should be far away enough from your home so that the smell of the sty doesn't bother you and your family. The floor needs to be easy-clean surface such as concrete and it should slope away from where the animals sleep, so that urine flows away from your swine. Animals in a sty will need fresh bedding, just as those who use an ark for shelter.
Pigs absolutely love to eat, which probably comes as no surprise. Not only do they enjoy foraging around the farm for grass and plants, they love to nibble away at bits of food in their trough. Pig feed can be purchased and supplemented with grains and vegetable scraps from your own kitchen, but be sure to cook them thoroughly in boiling water prior to giving them to your pigs. In addition to food, pigs must have constant access to clean drinking water.
Your animals will need regular veterinary check-ups and this will include not only ensuring that the animal is healthy, but also that vaccines are up to date. Most areas, even those where pig farming is not common, will have a qualified large animal veterinarian that can come to your farm and check on your animals.
Dealing with animal waste is another big issue, as swine do produce quite a bit of waste. At a small pig farm, the waste is typically stored in a deep pit containment system. This needs to be treated regularly to maintain a proper balance; otherwise you will end up with too much sludge, as well at top-level crusting. This poses serious health risks, increases odors and also increases the amount of flies around the waste pit.
To keep problems at bay, use a swine waste product such as the Agra Sphere. This is a biodegradable sphere that uses beneficial bacteria to reduce sludge and prevent crusting. It requires no mixing and contains no chemicals. Agra Spheres also help increase the nutrient value of your waste so that it can be used as fertilizer.
If you have a good-size piece of property that is well fenced, you might consider allowing your pigs to roam free. While they will enjoy grazing and finding shady spots in which to relax, you still will need to provide them with access to food troughs and clean water, as well as some type of shelter. Typically, farmers who raise free roaming pigs will build one or more pig arks where the swine can escape from rain and heat. This ark, which typically is a half circle comprise of metals sheets and wooden supports, also will include fresh and clean bedding for your animals.
You also can build a pigpen or sty for your animals. The sty should be located on high ground that is not prone to flooding, but it also should be far away enough from your home so that the smell of the sty doesn't bother you and your family. The floor needs to be easy-clean surface such as concrete and it should slope away from where the animals sleep, so that urine flows away from your swine. Animals in a sty will need fresh bedding, just as those who use an ark for shelter.
Pigs absolutely love to eat, which probably comes as no surprise. Not only do they enjoy foraging around the farm for grass and plants, they love to nibble away at bits of food in their trough. Pig feed can be purchased and supplemented with grains and vegetable scraps from your own kitchen, but be sure to cook them thoroughly in boiling water prior to giving them to your pigs. In addition to food, pigs must have constant access to clean drinking water.
Your animals will need regular veterinary check-ups and this will include not only ensuring that the animal is healthy, but also that vaccines are up to date. Most areas, even those where pig farming is not common, will have a qualified large animal veterinarian that can come to your farm and check on your animals.
Dealing with animal waste is another big issue, as swine do produce quite a bit of waste. At a small pig farm, the waste is typically stored in a deep pit containment system. This needs to be treated regularly to maintain a proper balance; otherwise you will end up with too much sludge, as well at top-level crusting. This poses serious health risks, increases odors and also increases the amount of flies around the waste pit.
To keep problems at bay, use a swine waste product such as the Agra Sphere. This is a biodegradable sphere that uses beneficial bacteria to reduce sludge and prevent crusting. It requires no mixing and contains no chemicals. Agra Spheres also help increase the nutrient value of your waste so that it can be used as fertilizer.
About the Author:
Lianne Derocco loves blogging about products used in livestock waste treatment. To get additional information about agricultural waste treatment, or to figure out more about products for pig waste management, please check out the BioverseAG.com website today.
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