Knowing what kind of shelter a pig needs is just the kind of information you’ll need before you decide to keep one as a pet.
Do pigs need shelter? Pigs definitely need shelter to survive and stay healthy. A proper shelter protects your pig from different elements that could potentially increase the risks of illness, disease, and other harmful things.
This is one of the things that a lot of pig owners fail to prepare for, especially for those who aren’t exactly pig farmers, but are only looking to adopt a pig as a pet.
Sadly, lack of this kind of knowledge can lead not only to sick, unhappy pigs. It can also lead to overwhelmed pig owners who are starting to think twice whether they’re cut out to be a pig parent or not.
Here’s everything you need to know to figure out what kind of shelter you should provide for your pet pig.
Considerations in Building a Shelter
If you want to build a shelter for your pig, might as well do it the right way. Here are the most critical considerations that would dictate how effective your pig’s shelter will be:
- Materials / Structure
Your pig’s shelter will only be effective if you use the right materials. Keep in mind that when pigs get bored, they do have the tendency to be destructive.
The good news is, if you keep your pig busy and give it enough ways to channel its energy towards more productive things, then you might not have to worry about a destructive pig after all.
If you want to find ways to keep your pig busy, here are a few great ideas.
You can consider an ark, as this also gives you the option to have removable floors. This makes it easier to clean.
Arks may come in wood or plastic, but know that wood is sturdier. Plastic may become brittle eventually, which is not ideal especially when your pigs start growing bigger and heavier. In choosing the kind of wood, stick to timber as this won’t be as slippery as plywood.
Pigsties are the traditional choice, although this is often used in pig farms and not really for people who just want pigs as pets. These are often made of brick. They are often harder to clean though, and they can also get a little cramped.
You can also have a straw shelter made. Straw is a great insulator, but the structure itself won’t really last as long as your other options. You can build a straw shelter over a sturdier frame though, to make it more durable.
Of course, you also have the option to let your pig live in a barn, but unless you already have one, this is quite a big project that would require a huge area.
Some pig parents also allow their pig to stay with them inside their home, but know that this may require some extra training especially if you don’t want to wake up to a wrecked home.
You can find out more about training your pig here.
- Temperature
Pigs are normally comfortable in temperatures between 18 to 20 degrees Celsius. They can still tolerate it if it goes up to 25 degrees, but when it goes beyond that, they can start experiencing additional stress from the heat.
Make sure your pig’s shelter keeps it cool enough in the summer and warm enough during the winter. Adding more insulation usually helps regulate the temperature. You can also install a heater if the winter months in your area usually gets too much.
- Ventilation
Improper ventilation can cause so many health issues for pigs. Without proper ventilation, you risk the buildup of carbon dioxide, water vapor, bacteria, bad odor, and dust. All these can cause so many diseases in pigs.
Make sure there is enough ventilation in your pig’s shelter. Let enough fresh air in. Just make sure that you don’t let too much in that the entire place becomes unbearably cold for your pig as well. It has to be a balance of temperature and ventilation.
- Protection from wildlife and other environmental factors
Winter months are cold, and the summer days can be unbearably hot. There are also a lot of curious animals out there who may want to invade your pig’s space. You’d have to think about those rainy days when the ground becomes soaked as well.
Make sure your pig shelter is constructed in a way that it protects your pig from both the heat and the cold. Find out where the wind usually comes from as well. You’d want to keep that side covered.
Adding some height to your pig’s shelter, especially in the area where it sleeps, is ideal because this can ensure your pig stays dry even if the ground gets soaked during rainy days.
Think about the way your pigs will be fenced in as well. Make sure you can prevent other wildlife from coming in. Make sure your fence is sturdy enough to keep your pigs in as well, as they might also try to escape when they see something interesting outside.
Maintaining Your Pig Shelter
Remember that your pig shelter can also dictate how healthy your pig is. This is why it’s important that you maintain the shelter’s integrity.
Cleanliness is, of course, top priority in maintaining your pig ‘s home. Make sure the area is cleaned regularly. You may have been told differently, but pigs are actually extremely clean animals. They hate dirt getting into the area where they sleep and eat.
This is why it is important to train your pig to use the litter box as early as possible.
Make sure you regularly change out and clean the pig’s bedding as well. Leaving it there over a long period of time could cause an accumulation of dirt, which may lead to an infestation of insects and parasites.
Keep the entire place dry as well. Vapor can lead to molds, and molds can lead to sickness. It can greatly sacrifice the integrity of your shelter as well.
Also, make sure you repair even the smallest damage right away. You don;t know what kind of risks you’re allowing to pile up because of something as simple as a crack on the wall.
Let your pigs show you whether it is still comfortable inside its shelter, too. Look for telltale signs that there’s something wrong. It’s your pig, so you should notice changes not only in its appearance, but also in its behavior.
If you see rashes or any changes in the way its skin looks, then find out where it came from right away. See if it’s being its usually happy self as well, or if it dreads going into its shelter when bedtime comes around.
Signs like these could show you that there are things you need to fix inside his shelter.
Related Questions
What do pigs eat?
Pigs are omnivores, which means that they can eat both plants and meat. However, it is not advisable for pigs to eat meat because it can also be a potential source of disease. If you’re worried about your pig’s protein source, there are protein supplements that your vet can recommend. Aside from grains, you can also feed your pigs pellets that already have the complete amount of nutrients that your pig needs.
What do pigs need to survive?
Just like humans and a lot of other animals, a pig’s basic needs to survive include food, water and shelter. If you want a pig to thrive and be healthy, however, you’ll need a lot more than just the basics. For example, pigs need mental stimulation and affection as well. Its food should be well-balanced too, and should satisfy the nutritional requirements fit for its age and size.
What do you call a pig’s home?
A pig’s home is usually called a pigsty, but not every pig lives in one. With the rapid increase in people wanting to keep pigs as pets, some pigs are sheltered right within their owners’ very homes. Some pig owners also provide specially-designed shelters for their pigs. Some would also call a pig’s shelter a pig pen, although this term can also be used to refer to a fenced-in area where pigs can play but not necessarily live in.