Pet chickens and turkeys ... would it be a problem for outside piggies?

[Kirsty B]

Good morning

Thought I had better check please, if having a lot of rescue/adopted chickens and 5 rescue turkeys in our garden would upset prospective piggies? The piggies would be housed in a modified old shed, and will have a tunnel with small penned area attached for grazing. We will add a screen door for ventilation and viewing, and to keep piggies safe when I access the shed. We have a 1/3 acre garden, including 2 derelict areas that we made nice and cordoned off for some bantams, and other chickens. There are 4 roosters in their own areas (1 rooster, Fluffy with the majority of ex batties & co in the main garden, that the shed is sited in). There's a lot of varied space available so the feathered ones won't all be stood in front of the shed door I'm sure, as if watching a cinema screen, but I think the piggies will receive some attention. It's mainly the noise the chickens make on a daily basis that I am most worried about.

 

[Bill & Ted]

I used to keep bantams, they were the most friendliest girls I’ve ever had out of all my female pets. I don’t think you will have a problem provided you keep the piggies in an enclosed secure space that the feathered friends don’t use and contaminate with their poops. If your neighbours are ok with the normal rooster/hen wake up calls then I’m sure your piggies will get used to it too, just like they accept children’s screams and dogs barking, no difference really only earlier!
Make sure you insulate their shed to keep them warm and lots and lots of hay to burrow in and eat. I would not get the piggies at this time of year though unless they are used to living outside and are already acclimatised to the cold weather, best time would be May for any piggies that have been kept inside x Good luck

 

[Kirsty B]

I used to keep bantams, they were the most friendliest girls I’ve ever had out of all my female pets. I don’t think you will have a problem provided you keep the piggies in an enclosed secure space that the feathered friends don’t use and contaminate with their poops. If your neighbours are ok with the normal rooster/hen wake up calls then I’m sure your piggies will get used to it too, just like they accept children’s screams and dogs barking, no difference really only earlier!
Make sure you insulate their shed to keep them warm and lots and lots of hay to burrow in and eat. I would not get the piggies at this time of year though unless they are used to living outside and are already acclimatised to the cold weather, best time would be May for any piggies that have been kept inside x Good luck

Thanks a lot for this

Mentioning the insulation, we are going to double layer the bottom of the shed with hard wire and then another layer of wood on top, this was really to just make sure rats could not get in, and reinforce the corners ... but should we be reinforcing the whole of the shed please? ... I honestly thought that, especially in a wooden shed they would be warm enough, along with plenty of hay to burrow in, and snuggle beds?

I assume the piggies will need plenty of ventilation, and there are small holes at the very top of the wall on 2 sides, and the roof that was old, crappy felt, replaced with plastic corrugated.

 

[Bill & Ted]

It very much depends on the piggies and when you get them. If they come from a Rescue or home and been inside all their life then putting them outside now in very cold temperatures may shock them. Whereas if they have spent all their life already outdoors then they will be used to outdoor conditions and a shed will be fine for them. It very much depends on temperatures where you live but a lot of members have insulated their sheds to keep the cold out too. I personally think its damp conditions that are bad for piggies and a combination of extreme cold, rain and wind. Have a look at some of the members sheds on this link, it may help you decide what’s best. My two boys spend a great deal of time outdoors but come side in winter and evenings and occasionally still go outside on really pleasant sunny days in winter too.

Member Gallery: Sheds

 

[Kirsty B]

It very much depends on the piggies and when you get them. If they come from a Rescue or home and been inside all their life then putting them outside now in very cold temperatures may shock them. Whereas if they have spent all their life already outdoors then they will be used to outdoor conditions and a shed will be fine for them. It very much depends on temperatures where you live but a lot of members have insulated their sheds to keep the cold out too. I personally think its damp conditions that are bad for piggies and a combination of extreme cold, rain and wind. Have a look at some of the members sheds on this link, it may help you decide what’s best. My two boys spend a great deal of time outdoors but come side in winter and evenings and occasionally still go outside on really pleasant sunny days in winter too.

Member Gallery: Sheds

Thanks a lot for this. I am also thinking about indoor housing ... been looking at sheds as well as C&C cages, and DIY ones listed on the forum ... loads of great advice and information!