Photo: blogs.scientificamerican.com
The purpose of an outdoor structure or pen is to protect your pig. Protection comes in many forms. Protection from rain, sun, wind, cold and other weather elements. Protection is also from predators. Predators can include dogs, wolves, bears and any other wildlife that pose a threat. Sometimes your neighbor or other people can even be threat to your pig. There have been situations where pig parents have left their pig outside only to have neighbor open the gate to let the pig out and that hasn't always turned out favorable for the pig. Some neighbors or neighborhood people are cruel, they've thrown items known to be poisonous to a pig over a fence to cause harm, they've let pigs out and called animal control. Please protect your pet. Lock you gate, provide a place to get out of inclement weather and most importantly, keep them safe! For more info about winterizing for your pig, please click here to view the seasonal page for fall and/or winter. Below is a slideshow with pictures showing others pens and outdoor enclosures.
Outdoor fencing/Pen ideas
Pigs are strong, so strong that you need to be sure your fencing is strong and secure because pigs will test the strength of the fencing. Pigs need an appropriate amount of time spent outdoors, yes, even the "house pigs" need to go outside. Some people go with privacy fencing, others use chainlink. The suggested fencing is hog panels and T posts because these are made to keep pigs secure. There are many ways of building outside space to suit your needs. There are basic ways to secure the area, but there are also ways to use hog panels and dress it up a bit too. I included some ideas for basic pens as well as nicer fencing ideas. Using pallets to try and contain a piglet may be helpful, but in the long run, your fencing will likely need to be upgraded in order to keep your pig protected from predators as well as keep your pig contained. A well constructed privacy fence has always worked for me. There aren't metal pieces that can be easily pushed to point of weakness and broke. However, I realize this isn't easy to do for those of you with a larger property. However, for reasonably sized back yards, this is ideal to keep your pig contained without any issues. The ideas below are pictures either sent to us or pictures we have found online. These fencing options may be something that would or wouldn't work for you specifically. Nonetheless, the ideas may inspire.
Photo: Pethelpful.com
Photo: pinkpigs.co.uk
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Photo: Lowes.com
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Outdoor Housing/structure ideas
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I recently purchased all three of these houses, shipping was FREE and FAST, plus the houses are reasonably priced. Check https://jet.com to find a suitable house for your pig. I am extremely happy with my purchases from there. However, these are not appropriate for larger pigs or pigs that live in areas with extreme seasons. (like harsh winters) They are perfect for younger pigs who need a sturdy indoor/possibly an outdoor structure, and they are well made, but not ideal for larger pigs.
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Alison Bowerman Castillo shared Wilbur's pen with us and we had to include it here. It is absolutely beautiful.
The main concerns when purchasing or building an outdoor structure for your pig is to be sure the structure is safe and appropriate for the weather conditions in your area. Ideally, there will be a complete enclosure, draft free with enough room for your pig to turn around, straw to be warm and some kind of window that can be opened for ventilation. The door should be tall enough for your pig to enter without having to crouch down because pigs cannot easily kneel down like a dog can, so the door has to be big enough for them to walk in without having to contort themselves in order to enter. If they can't, they likely won't use the house. (I know this from experience) The following are examples of houses that I found online that would make awesome pig houses, more like ideas you could think of when building a pig structure. Some are extremely elaborate, but again, a basic house is most definitely appropriate. These pictures were found using an online search for outdoor pig/pet houses. These are NOT necessarily our own images, but again, we collected them to give others ideas about how they can go about building or creating a structure of their own. Many were sent to us or posted when we asked others if they'd share their pig houses, but several others have been found over time using a simple google search. If you look up kids play houses or animal shelter, you may find others you would like to use as inspiration.
There is a blog on morning chores that has several free DIY dog house design ideas with the plans. You can read more about that by clicking the following link. http://morningchores.com/dog-house-plans/. Thanks to them for reaching out and letting us know about this awesome resource! The plans are very detailed and most even have an instructional video that go along with a materials list and step by step instructions about putting it together. You can also search for creative ways to build a pig house out of cheap or even free materials such as pallets. Here is one example...http://www.1001pallets.com/2013/07/tutorial-to-make-a-kids-hut-from-pallets/
There is a blog on morning chores that has several free DIY dog house design ideas with the plans. You can read more about that by clicking the following link. http://morningchores.com/dog-house-plans/. Thanks to them for reaching out and letting us know about this awesome resource! The plans are very detailed and most even have an instructional video that go along with a materials list and step by step instructions about putting it together. You can also search for creative ways to build a pig house out of cheap or even free materials such as pallets. Here is one example...http://www.1001pallets.com/2013/07/tutorial-to-make-a-kids-hut-from-pallets/
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Children's playhouse repurposed as a pig house
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Pig House. Photo: Patti Ann
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Photo: Knoxnews.com
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Repurposing trees to build your pig a log cabin is definitely doable.
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Great double door pig house for those who have multiple pigs in their home.
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Clearly built by someone with carpentry skills, this beautiful house would make any pig happy.
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Childs playhouse repurposed into a pig house.
Double sided pig house, great for multiple pig families.
Child's playhouse that can be repurposed for a pigs outdoor structure. Look for these on craigslist or letgo.
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An elaborate house fit for any prince or princess pig.
Simple yet sturdy house design
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Repurposed children's playhouse.
Old garden shed repurposed into a pigs paradise
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Repurposed shed into a dream pig home.
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Photo: Smallmeadowfarm.blogspot.com
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Double sided pig house with hinged roof for easy cleaning access
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Ani Natali sent us pictures of her pigs outdoor area. This is a built-out barn stall. The fence is dug under the ground about a foot and has a completely enclosed top also made out of the same fencing. It keeps out coyotes for safe potty breaks in the evening.
Photo: doubledurango.com
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Photo: thegoatspot.net
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Photo: rain-myfarmonthehill.blogspot.com
Photo: indulgy.com
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Photo: 9sites.com
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Photo: bobrowlingrustics.com
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Elaborate shed designed for outdoor use. This can easily be less elaborate and dedicated as a pig house
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Advantek dog house that can also be used for pigs
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Photo: http://www.calendarsystems.com
Photo: http://www.permacultureinbrittany.com
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Photo: Chooks.com
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This is a house I built for my pig. She has 2 sides she can enter as well as a heat/AC unit for pet houses to keep her cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
Photo: freecycle.com
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Photo: farmranch.com
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Photo: farm2.staticflickr.com
Double sided pig house, great for households with more than 1 pig
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Chicken coop that could easily be used as a pig house instead.
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Photo: Theowner-builder.com
Photo: Ibarnranch.com
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Photo: backyardchickens.com
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Repurposed garden shed as an outdoor house for a pig
Pig house/pen combination
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Outdoor space/kennel for a pig
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Small outdoor structure on raised platform that could be used for a pigs outdoor hideaway
Photo: offgridworld.com
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Beautiful pig house
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This is a Leonard children's playhouse repurposed as a pig house. Photo from The Blind Spot Animal Sanctuary
Children playhouse that can easily be repurposed into a pig house
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A decorative house that can be used as a pig's castle.
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Small dog house that can be used as an outdoor pig house.
Repurposed pallet house
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High design pig house
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Repurposed children playhouse into a pigs dream house.
Pig house made from pallets
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Simple, clean design for an outdoor pig house
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Great pig house made from plastic type material that can be purchased at Lowes or Home Depot.
This amazing set up was found on customizedcoops.blogspot.com
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Photo: Kimberly Preacher
Photo: Hayneedle.com
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Photo: Dog-Care.Net
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Brandy Acosta Toups has the ideal solution for her pig.
Photo: kidscrookedhouse.com
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Photo: Verdefarm.com
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Photo: eBay.com
Photo: mk-independent.uk.co
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Photo:storageshedoutlet.com
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Photo: homedesignblog.net
Photo: kabbleandboo.blogspot.com
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Chicken coop doubling as a pig house underneath.
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Photo: cgserv.co.uk
Pig house made from pallets
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Photo: Doubledurangofarm.com
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Photo: Wayfair.com
Photo: Archrecord.construction.com
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Repurposed pallets can create a beautiful house for your pig.
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Creating shaded areas for your mini pig ideas
Repurposing pallets to create a shaded area your pig can use to get out of the direct sunlight.
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I bought this one for my pig from Hayneedle.com
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Photo: Meltdesignstudio.com
Photo: KMDdirect.com
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Sometimes the planned shaded area doesn't work out as you'd hope it would.
Photo: Petplanet.com
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Advantek Pet Gazebo- sold at Tractor Supply and Hayneedle.com
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Photo: Sunsails.com
Photo: peakprosperity.com
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A good ole' fashion tarp can provide shade as well. Photo: Galebreakeragriculture.com
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Repurposed doors in a frame to use as a shaded area.