Housing sows

[ElleTrixieB13]

Hello,

I have read the threads on minimum cage size requirements so I have an understanding of minimum size needed. I am trying to figure out the best set-up to ideally house six sows together. As mentioned in my intro thread I have taken in eight GPs (six sows, two boars by current count, I'm learning to sex them and made a couple mishaps). I currently have everyone divided into pairs (the boars are in a separated cage currently.

In my ideal world I would like to get down to two cages. I understand that may not be possible if I have personality conflicts, but this would be my ideal. So to stack the odds in my favour of no conflicts what are people's opinions on ideal size? Does it matter if it's rectangular or square? (I have more space for rectangular).

How many hidey huts, water bottles, food dishes, hay racks should I have for a cage of six?

Any advice appreciated. I've attached a picture of six of my new friends, Newt & Peeves are the boars, two females still need their photoshoot

 

[PigglePuggle]

Beautiful piggies! I think you could house 6 ladies in a 3x5 grid or 8x2 grid C&C cage, assuming the grids are the standard 35cm ones so over a foot long. Both these set ups give roughly 18sqft of floor space. You can also make your cage L-shaped to fit in a corner of the room, we previously had 4 ladies plus a neutered husboar in an 8x2 grid L-shape made of a 5x2 with a 3x2 extension.
6 piggies need at least 6 hideys, and I would recommend 3 water bottles. For feeding I use 6 bowls for 6 piggies and they still squabble, but I take the dishes out straight after they finish eating to free up the floor space. Hay is always better on the floor or in a tray they can climb into, ideally 6sqft of floor hay or hay trays for 6 piggies I would say- but at least 4 hay containers of some kind

 

[ElleTrixieB13]

Thank you PigglePuggle! Very helpful!

 

[sport_billy]

Great advice by pigglepuggle can’t add to it. Just wanted to say how gorgeous your pigs are though! Hope to see lots more of them on forum

 

[YvonneBlue]

What gorgeous piggies. I hope it works our for you keeping all six sows together. Good luck.x

 

[ElleTrixieB13]

The girls spent a couple hours in a big pen on the floor last night. There was a little bit of rumble strutting and one did a bit of chattering and teeth showing, but overall it was very calm. It gives me hope I will be able to keep them all together.

 

[Flutterby]

Gorgeous piggies!