The Ultimate Guide to Pig Housing
Are you curious about how to build pig housing that really lasts?
Although you might think of the Big Bad Wolf and the infamous straw houses when you think of pig housing, the reality is that if you’re raising pigs, you’ll likely find yourself asking whether your swine needs shelter that’s a bit more durable than straw and sticks.
After all, you don’t want anyone huffing and puffing and blowing your pig shelter down!
You can build a simple pig shelter that consists of little more than straw bales and a tarp. However, building a pig shelter that is going to last for many years requires a bit more planning and consideration of what your pigs actually need.
In this post, I’ll tell you everything you need to know about pig housing - and give you some pig shelter ideas that you can use to craft your own perfect pig shelter.
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What Are the Types of Swine Housing?
When it comes to pig house ideas, you’ll find that there’s no shortage of options to choose from! According to the University of Minnesota, pig housing types include group housing and hoop barns. Of course, you can also house your pigs in:
Portable pig shelters
A lean-to shelter
A-frame shelters
Straw or hay bale structures (or other types of pig housing made out of repurposed materials)
Concrete or solid-floor pig housing
Some kinds of pig housing combine a variety of these features, too, depending on what kinds of resources and materials the farmer has available. Essentially, pigs just need a shelter with at least two to three sides to keep them protected from the sun, rain, and wind.
Then, of course, show pigs and mini pigs need entirely different kinds of shelter altogether. Because this post is primarily focused on feeder pigs (meat pigs), I won’t go too far in depth about these kinds of structures. However, if you’re curious about what you might need for a mini pig shelter, check out this video:
Simple Pig Shelter Design: Tips to Build Your Own Easy Pig Shelter
Pigs are some of the easiest kinds of livestock to raise - but like all other farm animals, there are some specifics you need to pay attention to, like what to feed them and how to help them with the farrowing process.
Of course, shelter is important, too. The exact kind of shelter you need for your pigs will vary, again, a bit based on the types of pigs you’re raising. In general, though, you can follow the tips that I have outlined below.
What Size Shelter Do Pigs Need?
How big should a pig shelter be? In general, you should allow for around 8 square feet of space per pig.
The ideal pig shelter size depends on several factors, most importantly, how many pigs you are raising and how large they are.
Some sources recommend a 10x10 shed with a floor that is raised about two feet off the ground. The shelter should have a rainproof roof and be sturdily built with adequate ventilation.
Do Pigs Need Shelter from Rain?
Yes. Pigs need a place to sleep that is both warm and protected from the elements. Your shelter doesn’t have to be overly elaborate and your pigs will likely snuggle up with each other while they are sleeping - so it doesn’t need to be super large, either.
Just make sure there is some ventilation and airflow inside the livestock space and always provide bedding (straw or other soft materials, like shredded paper) work well.
Does it Make a Good Winter Pig Shelter?
Do pigs need shelter in the winter? The answer is yes - but not quite as much as you might think.
Winter housing doesn’t need to be heated, but if temperatures drop below 40 degrees (for adult swine), you may have issues like piling. Mature pigs can adapt to cold temperatures, smoe better than others, but may start to lose body condition.
Piglets and growing pigs need things a bit warmer - ideally above 50 degrees - so you may want to provide a supplemental heat source.
Is Your Pig Barn Portable?
Portability is another key factor to consider - do you plan on pasturing your pigs or want to move them to a new location sometime in the future? If so, you may want to put your pig housing on skids and ensure that it is easily dismantled for the best results.
How Expensive Will Your Pig Housing Be?
Again, that depends. A simple pig shelter (like a straw bale hut) could cost you less than $100 or even be free, if you’re making a type of pig housing out of recycled or upcycled materials.
On the other side of the spectrum, it’s possible to invest tens of thousands of dollars in building a pig barn.
It really depends on:
How many pigs you want to house
Whether the pig housing will be permanent or portable
What breed of pigs you are raising
…and a multitude of other factors.
What Other Factors Should I Consider for My Pig Shelter Design?
One other thing you might want to include when planning out your pig housing is a loading chute or double gate. This vestibule will create a small, separate area where your pigs can be kept for loading (or separated, in case you need to provide some medical attention).
This can also be helpful if you have pigs escape, since you can leave the outer gate open and leave food in the vestibule to bait pigs back in.
Don’t forget that your pig housing and enclosure will also need to have space for waterers and feeding tubs, too.
Choosing a Site for Your Pig Housing
As they say in real estate, it’s all about location, location, location.
Pigs are happy in just about every kind of habitat as long as they have room to roam. Providing your pigs with access to forage space will not only cut down on your food bill but also keeps your pigs much healthier.
Of course, keep in mind that different breeds of pigs have different foraging abilities, so you may have more luck pasturing in certain species than others.
Remember, pigs like to root - so whichever site you choose for your pigs, make sure you’ve accounted for this and built strong fencing.
More on this in a moment!
Other tips:
The pig housing should be connected to roads (or accessible with a tractor)
It should be somewhat protected from the sun with some shade from trees
It should be elevated so it can’t be flooded by rainwater
The site should be suitable for manure disposal
It should be connected to reliable sources of water and electricity
Your pig housing should be located away from any residences (for obvious reasons)
How to Build Pig Shelter Fencing
While it’s possible to build a cheap pig shelter, you should try to avoid cutting corners on your fencing.
The most common types of materials used for fencing in pigs are electric wire and metal livestock panels (also known as hog panels).
Electric fencing requires some sort of electrified fencing material like this or polywire. You’ll connect this to a power source.
Many people choose to enclose their pig paddocks with electric fencing, followed by livestock panels or metal field fencing for added security.
It works well for large areas, though the panels can get expensive in a hurry. Of course, if you’re raising pasture pigs, you may need to stick to just the electric so that you can take it down and move it as needed.
How Do You Make a Pig House? 6 Easy Pig Shelter Ideas
Here are a few easy pig housing ideas you can try on your farm.
1. Barn
A barn is the classic choice when it comes to pig housing. These are great for large hog operations as well as those where pigs will be kept permanently in one spot.
They also make it easier to separate boars from sows and piglets for breeding purposes. The barn should have heat lamps or supplemental heat for piglets born in the winter months.
2. Straw Bale House
Some innovative farmers have come up with the idea of a straw bale house for their pigs. These aren’t meant to be long-term housing solutions but serve as an easy pig shelter option that is also affordable.
In this pig housing design, you’ll stack bales in a brick pattern to create a basic three-sided structure. These bales need to be secured to protect them from the pigs, and you’ll also need a roof (something as simple as metal sheeting or a stretched-out tarp will do).
3. Log Shelter
If you live on wooded land, you can build a shelter out of felled trees and branches. You’ll simply cut notches into the edges and slide them into place.
4. Hoop House/Tunnel House
Hoop houses or tunnel houses like these are effective ways to house pigs, too. These structures are shaped like an arch, just like a greenhouse.
The beauty of these structures is that they are inexpensive and easy to build in large quantities. You can buy premade hoop houses or stretch hog panels into an arch shape and cover them with a tarp for a temporary structure. In some cases, these hoop houses for pigs can also be portable.
The only downside of making your own version of this pig housing is that the arcs require you to bend the metal. This can be quite labor-intensive and difficult, especially if you don’t have the proper tools for the job.
5. Farrowing House
Regardless of the type of pigs you raise and the kind of pig housing you provide, having a separate farrowing house is a good idea. This will contain only sows and their litters, with the ability to heat and cool the structure.
The floor should be constructed out of easy-to-clean materials, like cement, and have roll bars along the bottom edge that prevent the sow from lying on her piglets.
Some people do farrow on pasture. This isn’t something we do on our farm, so I can’t speak to success rates, but you can find more information here. Of course, if you go this route, then a farrowing house might not be necessary.
6. A-Frame Shelter
A-frame shelters offer some of the best protection for pigs that are raised on pasture (more on this below). They can be helpful to farmers who want their sows to farrow on pasture as well as for people who are strictly raising feeder pigs.
Some benefits of A-frame shelters include:
Comfortably accommodates a large number of pigs
Portable
No floor so no need to clean
Provides shade from the sun and protection from the elements
Great for pasture pigs
Efficiently designed to shed snow
Minimizes waste of building materials
Can use recycled or upcycled materials
Traps heat in the winter
Impossible for pigs to climb onto the roof and cause damage
Light enough to be manipulated by hand or with a small tractor/ATV, but heavy enough so the pigs won’t use it as a toy
12 on 12 roof pitch makes the calculations easier to decipher (everything is a 45-degree angle)
How Do You Build a Portable Pig Shelter? Follow These Pig Shelter Building Plans
If you are raising pigs on pasture, there are lots of benefits to having a portable shelter. You can tow it behind an ATV or tractor to make moving pigs from paddock to paddock a bit easier.
Most people only raise pigs on pasture during the warmer months of the year, so it doesn't need to be a very expensive or sophisticated type of housing.
Do you want to build your own pig housing? If so, this A-frame pig shelter should fit the bill. Follow this link (also linked below) to find plans for how to build a pig shelter. This easy pig shelter is portable, affordable, and quick to build.
Do Pigs Need Shelter?
Yes! Pigs need shelter - at least to some extent.
While your pig housing doesn't need to be the Taj Mahal for hogs by any means, it should at least provide for the basic needs of your pigs.
It should offer protection from the rain, snow, wind, and sun. It should also be relatively easy for you to move, if you are looking to erect a pasture pig shelter that won’t stay in one place forever, and be hard for your pigs to destroy.
Building a pig shelter doesn’t have to be stressful or time-consuming. Follow the tips above and consider these portable pig shelter plans. It should come together in no time!
What kind of pig housing do you rely on for your hogs? Let me know in the comments!
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