How to Expand a Pig Pen

A pigpen should provide pigs adequate space to for comfort and shelter.

Pigpens should provide adequate space and protection for pigs to be housed. According to a 2004 fact sheet from the University of New Hampshire Cooperative extension, "Young pigs weighing 50 pounds need at least 4 to 6 square feet per pig, and "once they have reached market weight of 200 to 250 pounds, they need 10 to 12 square feet of space each." You may need to expand a pigpen to provide enough space for pigs to live healthfully and comfortably.

Things You'll Need

• Tight wire fencing
• Fence posts
• Hay
• Water and feed containers

Instructions

1. Choose an area to expand the pigpen that will allow for good drainage. The base of the pigpen should either be on a slightly inclined slope or be built on concrete slab so it can be swept and washed.

2. Mark the area of the pigpen expansion with fence posts. Place a fence post every 4 to 5 feet to ensure the fencing stays tight so the pigs can't escape.

3. Attach tight wire fencing to the new fence posts and connect the old pen area to expand into the new pen area. Dig the base of the wire fencing into the ground so there is no space between the ground and the fence.

4. Add hay to the base of the expanded area, as well as water and feed containers. Consider including a cover on the expansion if the existing pigpen does not provide any shelter for the pigs.

References

• Raising Pigs: Pig Pens
• Mother Earth News: The Quick and Easy Pigpen
• UNH Cooperative Extension: Raising Pigs At Home