In the past we have raised chickens for eggs, and turkeys for meat. Both have low startup costs, don\u2019t take very much time per day, and are relatively easy to care for. Harvesting turkeys in November has become a tradition, and becomes light work with an experienced crew. This year we have decided to raise a couple feeder pigs. Reasonably priced, good quality, cuts of beef and pork are hard to come across in our area, and after a few beers almost anything sounds like a good idea.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first step was to build a pigpen. We decided to use recycled materials to keep startup costs down. There is a small chance this will be a onetime endeavor. We started with four 10′ x 6′ chain-link fence panels. If an electric controller is used, 3′ height should be sufficient to keep the pigs in and predator’s out. We cut the four panels in half, stapled the bottom of each 10′ x 3′ fence to a 2×4 and started digging post holes. Inexpensive chain-link fence brackets were used to lag bolt the fence to the poles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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