Housing size for 5 pigs

[Carma Violet]

Ok, so I have tried to contact CGPR about a week ago, and I guess they are very busy so I will post my query in here...

It relates to a rescue piggie we should be getting in a week or two called Bertie, and the recent events over the last weeks where we have taken in a 'suspected' pregnant sow, who we are hoping to keep.

"I am just worrying about something now, and wanted to check with you. I am currently caring for Liquorice, who I am hoping to have stay with us for the rest of her life. But I also have a commitment to Bertie, firstly. I am getting paranoid that the enclosure won't be big enough for 5, it's 21sq foot and is a 4x4 C&C, so it's 4.6 x 4.6ft. You reckon this will be alright? If not then we might have to arrange a home for Liquorice for after she has her babies."

Since then Cgilchrist and her hubby have REALLY helped me out in offering to construct an upper level frame to hold a spare cage base which I intend to use as a massive foriaging pit for them, with hidden treats and roughage that they have to dig for and find (they love their existing one but it's getting a little small for 4). As well as offering them with a good 4sq foot extra living space.

I guess I am still paranoid as I always love giving our pigs that little extra space, due to seeing a HUGE difference in their interactions once they had the space to get away from one another. And not having enough room could spell disaster for the bonding of the last member of the herd.

Anyone wish to offer their opinions?

-Carma

 

[flips]

Hi Carma,

I volunteer for Jenny. She is really busy at the moment. I'll check with her to make sure she got your email. She will get back to you but don't be surprised if it's an email sent in the middle of the night as quite often that's the only chance she gets to catch up on admin.

Your set up sounds fab. If it's any reassurance I have a 4 x 3 set up with 3 pigs. Joe was neutered at the same time as Bertie and will be joining my girls soon. I'm going to add an extension to make a hay/ forage area but it will only be about the size of a ferplast 100. I may be getting a fifth pig at some point and will add a ramp to the hayloft that currently has foster pigs in. I think overall we'll have similar space.

 

[Carma Violet]

PHEW! thank you!

I thought Jenny might be busy, and to be honest I never expected her to reply because its me just worrying. I almost wanted to just let her know of the set up before she got here incase she arrived and said it wasn't big enough. I didn't want it to seem like I didn't have the space.

Liquorices arrival was quite unexpected and it wasn't until after she settled in that I realised we have a commitment to Bertie and that the space might not be enough. I think our cage base is about the same size as the Ferplast 100... I need to get the measurements anyway for the frame design. I found a fantastic ramp from Trixie http://www.trixie.de/en/prod/Rabbit_and_Small_Rodent_Wooden_Ramp,14016 and all it will need is some sides on it to make it safe.

anyway! Thank you, the fact that you have a similar set up makes me feel miles better

-Carma