Last Updated on June 7, 2023 by Georgie Smith
If you have pigs for slaughtering purposes on your homestead or small farm, you need reliable fencing. You also need the right knowledge on how to fence and house them properly. Did you know swine are more proficient than goats and other animals at escaping?
It’s true! Pigs are reasonably smart but, the odds of them escaping as piglets either over or through a fence is slim to none. However, once they grow into large hogs, their strength is unbelievable. Therefore, to keep them from escaping and you having a significant problem on your hands, proper fencing is vital.
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42″ Electric Goat Net
42" installed
10 (9 conductive)
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Single Spike
Premier Pig QuikFence
Easy to install
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Green
Electric Fence Netting
YARDGARD
Alloy Steel
Color - Galvanized
YARDGARD
Easy to install
An Overview of Fencing for Small Corrals for Pigs and Piglets
Even though pig panels do the job, many professional farmers are adamant about using fencing. To ensure their enclosure will turn into a muddy pit in a couple of days, many farmers put their pigs in small enclosures.
Farmers are prone to taking advantage of this effect by using their hogs to turn and clear up the grounds they intend to garden. Having a rototiller is not necessary when your hogs can do the job in a matter of days.
Proper fencing is the most significant factor for raising hogs. Whether you choose electric fencing or standard material, make it safe. One other significant factor is space. Even hogs deserve plenty of room to grow healthy without stress.
Setting Up the Small Enclosure
The best enclosure to make is one designed with hog fencing. That type of material is sturdy and reliable for keeping the small area secure. Once you have completed the enclosure have your grain handy and set up your automatic feeder and automatic waterer.
You will need to toss sawdust or straw in their habitat and sit back and watch them grow. If you have limited land, this is the best solution. Hogs reared in this type of surrounding only need around ten square feet of the room each.
Of course, with this small enclosure, it will have a horrible smell. Not just a little stink here and there, but, a smell that will take your breath away. Use high-carbon bedding such as straw or hay for soaking up the pig’s smell. Both of the items will soak up the poop and urine as well as the smell.
*Helpful Tip*
To help keep the odors at bay, farmers recommend wearing a mask. You can get the ordinary type here. Alternately, there is this three-pack of the reusable activated charcoal mask as well. You will find this type here.
The Best Housing for Swine
Advice from skilled pig farmers for housing hogs is that it should be a three-sided shelter to keep them safe. Be sure they have a large enough space to avoid strong rains, high winds, harsh sun, and other extreme weather conditions. If you are handy with tools and knowledge, you can build a simple shelter.
If you have scrap wood or pallets and any other materials lying around, you can make a small enclosure. The material must supply ample ventilation, and shade, and be dry. Doing so could be tricky, however.
That may be the less expensive route if you are on a tight budget. However, you need to ensure the scrap material is durable yet breathable. It will take excellent wood and other durable items to make it long-lasting and sturdy. For this type of housing, it will depend on how many swine you have to determine if this method works.
Pigs Love Water for Drinking and Playing
You can tell when a pig has rolled around a good bit in mud and water because they are filthy. Water is a vital part of the housing you choose. Not only do hogs consume a ton of water, but they also enjoy having a mud pit or pool.
For cooling off from the hot sun, pigs also like frolicking in water sprinklers or being hosed down. Be sure you keep plenty of cool and fresh water in a handy location for the swine.
Electric Fence for Hogs and Pigs, is that the Answer?
As mentioned earlier, pigs, hogs, boars, and swine are smart. If you go with an electric fence, your pigs will learn to respect the fence, quickly. It could be a woven wire with the hot wire at the nose level or many strands of electrical wiring, the pig learns fast.
Beings hogs cannot leap or jump; the zap does not require being high. At least three feet high should do the trick. Just be sure you leave a “gate” that is non-electrified. That is vital for the pig to enter and leave the pen safely. Pigs will not cross territory where there has been an electrical fence.
You can control pigs fairly easily with electric fencing as pigs have minimal amounts of hair with a rather large wet nose. Pigs and Hogs tend to root that is if the lowest part of their fence is at least six inches or less off the ground.
It is essential that you space the next set of wires at even intervals that is up to the height of the hog’s nose. Typically that will be eight inches, ten inches, etc. Farmers recommend three strands at a minimum of wiring with a 24-inch fence height.
*Helpful Tip*
If your pigs mess around and get their head stuck between the wire, the fencing can cause damage to the pen. If instead of getting zapped in the front, the pig gets hit behind the eyes will typically cause the pig to push towards the electricity instead of pulling out. For this reason, proper wire and spacing a vital.
Electric Netting
You can also choose fencing that is electric netting for your pigs. The net fencing is simple to train young piglets and is simple to put up as well as take down. A full-sized hog could run right over the fence and knock it down. However, they learn to have respect for their surrounding fence quickly when they are little.
Using three or four strands of electric wire will work, however, small piglets can easily scoot out from the bottom. You can start your piglets with one electrical wire strand for the inside with hog enclosures. Once they have grown to a healthy size, move them to an area that has a post and four strands of electricity.
Choosing the Best Shelter for Your Hog
Due to harsh weather environments, you must keep your pigs in some form of safe shelter throughout the year. The housing must be large enough that it will enable all pigs to turn around simply and pain-free. The size should also allow the pigs to lie down comfortably and be ideally sturdy enough to survive their often-destructive habits.
Shelters to Consider
As mentioned above, pigs, no matter of their size, need shelter to protect them from harsh weather. On days when the heat from the scorching sun is unbearable, you will likely find your pigs seeking shelter. Just having a couple of large trees close to your pigs will not suffice.
Also, never assume that pigs will be fine if you house them in the woods. Pigs will not have sufficient shelter from trees, regardless of the density of the forest.
Constructing a Shelter
Whether you choose to build a shelter or choose one pieced together with panels, remember pigs–especially boars—are incredibly destructive. Unless you make the structure high quality by building with high-standard materials, your housing will not last long.
Buying a top-selling shelter that is within your budget will be your better option. Not only is it the most cost-effective choice, in the long run, but it will last a mighty long time. The size of the shelter is vital. It must be large enough with plenty of room to accommodate the number of hogs comfortably.
It is much better to have extra space than it will be to find your pigs are struggling. If necessary, toss a bail of hay inside to take up some space and provide warmth.
Placing Your Outdoor Pig Pen
Where and how you put your pig’s shelter if it is in the wrong place it could cause a detrimental effect on the welfare of the pigs. Therefore, it is vital that you put much thought into the area where you choose for your hogs to roam.
If you choose to use an existing structure, you can obviously do nothing about its position you could change. However, be sure to check the structure to ensure there are no openings and that it is draught-proof, safe for all swine, and has excellent ventilation.
Look for things like exposed nails on the floor and walls. If it is an old building, check all walls to ensure they are sound and stable. Check for loose bricks that over the year come loose. That will attract your most inquisitive hogs. A situation such as this will eventually cause the sturdiness of the wall to become questionable.
*Helpful Tip* The ideal place to put a shelter is as close to an outdoor area as possible for the pigs to have some freedom.
Where To Learn More About Keeping Your Small Pigs Safe And Healthy?
There are plenty of online resources that are free. Also, you can always contact your local Agricultural department to learn more about raising pigs. Now, let’s talk about the variety of fencing there is to keep your pigs safe.
The Top-Selling Fencing Items for Pig Shelters
There are several items to discuss here due to the variety of materials for DIY and commercial versions of fencing for pigs. Whatever fencing you choose, it needs to be clear of nails, staples, and cracks.
The following are DIY fence products:
Pig Enclosure Post:
Zaremba Systems PTP39A Pig Tail Step-in Fence Post
The first step to erecting a fence is the post. The same goes for the post for pig shelters. Here you have the Zareba Systems Pig Tail step-in Fence Post. This step is where you will begin if you are interested in building your pig pen.
This step-in-post is perfect for an electric fence enclosure that works perfectly if you are managing thorough grazing efforts. On the top, there is an insulated loop that aids in making inserting the wire quicks simple.
The particular post can accommodate the following:
- Aluminum and Steel Wire
- Poly Wire
- Poly Tape (up to 1 ½ inches in width)
- All Poly Ropes
Welded to perfection, the footstep holds the post in the ground securely. Its dimensions are, 5.5 inches x 14.5 inches x 40.9 inches and it weighs 27.4 pounds. This product has a solid five-star rating on Amazon thanks to your happy consumers and you can order yours here.
Premier 42″ FiberTuff Fence Posts – 4 posts per package
Pig pens need to be durable and strong to prevent escaping. The last thing you want is to find all your hogs are loose and running away. That is why you need a strong fence post. This Premier 42-inch Fiber Tuff Fence Post is up to the challenge.
The set of four posts is ideal for when you need temporary, semi-permanent netting, and even permanent. You can easily thread the top wire of the netting fence through the enlarged slot of the top cap.
The posts are Black with a gray top, 42 inches in height x 22mm (.87 inches)in diameter, and four to each kit. If you are in need of a sturdy fence post, you can get this item here.
Premier 48″ FiberTuff Fence Posts – 4 posts per package
Without posts there are no fences, right? This second item from Premier is more than four posts in a package; it is stability and security for your pigs. The Premier 48 inches FiberTuff Fence Post are seven inches long, with a step-in footplate. You never have to worry about getting your FiberTuff Post in the ground or hurting your foot in the process.
Premier made comfort and ease their top two priorities with this item. Customer satisfaction shows in its four stars on Amazon. The material is PVC with six fiberglass cables for extra stiffness and strength.
The posts are .22 mm or .87 inches in diameter. The post height is 48 inches from the top of the footplate to the top of the post. It has gray tops and black posts.
If you like this product, you can buy yours today and read more information from here.
Pig Enclosure Electric Netting:
Premier Pig QuikFence Electric Netting
If you have a few rowdy pigs in your bunch, electric netting may be the answer. This Premier Pig QuikFence Electric Netting is another product that has a stellar reputation on Amazon with a near-perfect five stars.
You get six black and white highly visible horizontal strands along with vertical struts (plastic) every 12 inches. The fence will not work properly if you do not energize it adequately. The bad news is, that the kit does not include the energizer. The one that consumers recommend is around .25 joule of energizer for each roll of fencing.
The fence is white and is 30 inches in height and 100 inches in length. If you have a few hogs, this fence is all you will need. You will find that you must use extra precautions around the edges of the post.
The Premier Electric Netting has an excellent rating on Amazon and you too can add this to your pig pen today.
Be sure to check out this item here.
Premier 42″ Electric Goat Net Fence 10/42/7 Yellow – 164′ Roll
Here is one more best-selling product by Premier. The Premier 42-inch Yellow Electric Net Fence does indeed work well with goats, but it also is a perfect match for pigs as well. You never have to worry about someone walking into the fence because it is highly visible to both people and animals.
This particular fencing is 42 inches tall x 164 feet roll and controls pigs and other small livestock you may have. It is a must for the fence to also remain energized to protect your pigs from foxes, coyotes, bears, and dogs.
Within 15 minutes, your electric pig fence will be up and working. You will need the proper energizer is not included in the kit. However, there will be one listed in this guide. The manufacturer recommends that you only use around .25 joule for each roll of fencing.
For safety purposes, only use wide or low impedance intermitted pulse style energizer. Never use energizers that are continuous currents with electric netting. For maximum results, use a Premier Solar Energizer or an AC/DC Energizer that is best for your unique situation.
This kit comes with PVC posts that are pre-fitted at 13.5 feet intervals. To support the corners and ends Premier recommends using non-conductive support posts.
Premier 42″ PoultryNet Plus Starter Kit – Includes Green PoultryNet Plus Net Fence –
Here is a Granddaddy of all fencing. This PoultryNet Starter Kit offers everything a person would need to start a pig farm. This convenient package is perfect for temporary fencing or to keep your piglets safe while giving them space to run and play.
Everything you need is in the package. That includes the following:
- 60-fence Solar IntelliShock Energizer with a U-spike Stake
- A 100-foot roll of 42-inch green and black netting that is double spiked
- Four 48 inches support posts from Fiber Tuff
- A combination of a support stand and ground rod
- Wiring Harness
- Five Light Wireless Fence Tester
It is vital that you conduct routine maintenance to check the vegetation around the fence. Be sure you minimize the weeds and grass load to decrease energy drainage. The kit comes with a two-year warranty on the solar panel and energizers. The warranty covers defective parts, lightning damage, and workmanship.
The warranty does not cover flood damage or misuse. There is a 30-day coverage for all batteries. To be effective, you must adequately energize the fence. This item is a best-selling product with a high-performance score by consumers.
Welded Wire Fencing:
YARDGARD 2 Inch by 4 Inch Mesh, 48 Inch Foot Galvanized Welded Wire Fence
Next on the list is also a best-selling wire fence. The Yardgard Galvanized Welded Wire is a perfect choice if you need a sturdy, but, priced cheap fence. For an inexpensive way to confine your swine temporarily, this is an ideal choice. The reason this fence is a spot on five stars is because of the stability and strength it provides.
The galvanized welded wire is perfect for the following:
- Property Delineation
- Drain Guards
- Confinement of pigs and other non-aggressive farm animals
Sizes Available are:
- 25 feet, 50 feet, and 100 feet rolls of wire
- 12 ½, 14, and 16 gauges.
- 2,3,4,5, and 6 Feet
The galvanized welded wire has a coating of class one galvanized zinc, making it a lifetime-lasting item. Whether you have all baby pigs or a pen with a few hogs, this fencing will do the job.
You can buy this product today right here.
MTB Galvanized Welded Wire Mesh Garden Economy Fence
General Purpose Fabric may not sound familiar to the average consumer. However, its given name, Welded Wire, is a common word around a farm. No one goes through more fencing than someone who raises livestock and game on a farm.
This MTB Galvanized Welded Wire Mesh is one that farmers rely on for protecting their animals. It is multi-purpose meaning you can use it anywhere including home and farm applications. It has a vast array of usages including:
- Temporary Pens
- Garden Fencing
- Livestock Walls
- Cages
The wire is 16 gauge with 2-inch x 3-inch mesh openings. The openings are 3 inches along the 24-inch sides and 2 inches across the 25-foot side. Measurement is 24-inches in width x 25 feet in length.
This fencing is all you need to protect your pigs and other farm animals. It is also a great value with a money-back guarantee. If you are interested in this item and would like to buy yours today, you will find it right here.
Panels for Pig Enclosures
Kane Sorting Panel 30″ x 48″ Red
It seems that RabbitNipples is a popular manufacturer when it comes to pigs and keeping them safe. The reason why is that their products are all high-ranking products. That includes this pig fencing panel for erecting a solid, durable fence.
The pig sorting panel is 30 inches x 48 inches and weighs a little over 12 pounds. This Rabbitnipple item is perfect for moving your livestock from one area to another. It is lightweight but incredibly durable.
Features of this item:
- Great for at home or a show
- You can use it for most Livestock
- For holding, it can be either vertically or horizontally
- Sturdier than aluminum panels
- Very durable, robust, and Lightweight
Weaver Leather Livestock Sorting Panel
This five-star pig fencing panel can help with guiding your pigs and other livestock to the location you wish them to be. Each panel is lightweight and durable for fencing as well as sorting. It is the perfect fencing as you sort your pigs from one pen to the other.
This panel weighs 10.28 pounds and is 42 inches x 36 inches and is black in color. If you need a durable fence panel such as this product, you can find it here.
There are ten best-sellers in each category. They each score four or five stars on Amazon.
Tips about Electrical Fencing
Small Piglets staying in the pen with your hogs will require the wire spaces to be lower to the ground and closer together. That does not count if there are only hogs in the pen.
Mud can insulate hogs from electric shock. For this reason, farmers recommend a low-impedance charger for the fence to penetrate through the mud.
Farmers recommend that you have a low-impedance charger for the grass and weeds around the fence.
FAQs:
Q: Are panels safe to wire together for a few pigs?
A: Yes, you can use the sturdy panels to make a pen for your pigs as long they are not fully grown
Q: Will it hurt if a person touches the wire?
A: They will for sure feel a zap but not enough to cause a severe injury
Conclusion
If you are interested in becoming a pig farmer, as you can see, there is a ton of information and products to get familiar with along the way. Finding what is best for you can be mind-boggling. Guides and Reviews such as this one discusses all areas of fencing for your pigs. I also added a lot of important details you would need to have happy pigs.
What about you, do you have information you would like to add to our reviews? If so, we would love to hear from you. While you are on our page, please “like and share” this review. Thank you for your time.
