by Tony York
If you are an equipment freak then you are going to be sadly disappointed if you become a pig keeper. Luckily to become a successful pig keeper you do not have to spend a great deal of money on equipment.
The most important item is, of course, your housing. A pig ark should be dry with a floor and doors. The floor makes it easier to clean and saves the pigs sleeping on wet mud in the winter whilst doors are essential for separating pigs when necessary. An ark that is cool in the summer and warm in the winter is ideal.
Items of ‘equipment’ you should have from the outset are a thermometer, a ‘Slap-Shot Vaccinator’ for ease of injecting, a water trough and a feeding trough. While many of you may delight at the thought of having a Livestock trailer it is not necessary to buy one and it is certainly not ‘cost effective’ if you have a small herd. It is better to hire one for a day or borrow (or beg!) one from a local farmer. And, as exciting as a ‘Quad Bike’ might seem you do not need one for pig keeping.
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