|  |
Suggestions For Raising Growing-Finishing Swine in Dirt Lots1
R. O. Myer2Introduction
The favorable climate and low initial investment account for the popularity of raising pigs in dirt lots. With proper care, pigs raised in dirt lots can usually gain weight just as rapidly as pigs raised in more expensive, confinement facilities. However, pigs raised in dirt lots will usually require more feed per pound of gain than pigs raised in confinement facilities.The following are some guidelines for rearing swine from feeder pig size (about 50 lb) to market size of 240 lb in dirt lots.
Site Selection
Areas with well drained sandy soils where shade is present are the best sites (for example, a wooded area). Avoid poorly drained areas. Keep in mind that pigs will kill trees. The greater the density of pigs, the faster the trees will be killed. Avoid putting lots on land with a steep slope unless the pigs will have a lot of room. The pigs will clear vegetation and the lots can become eroded. The site should also allow for ease of maintenance (for example to periodically disk the lots). To reduce potential pollution problems, lots should not be located next to streams or lakes or have streams flowing through them.Space Requirements and Number of Head Per Lot
The space allotted per pig in a dirt lot system varies depending on soil type, drainage, amount of rainfall, etc. With well drained sandy soils, about 100 sq ft per pig is usually sufficient ( an area 10 ft x 10 ft). On heavier clay-based soils allow at least 200 to 250 sq ft per pig (an area 15 ft x 15 ft).A lot capacity of 50 head or less is desirable; however, as many as 100 head may be raised in one lot as long as the pigs are uniform in size.
Shelter Requirements
About 5 to 6 sq ft of roof area per pig is recommended with either permanent or portable sheltering (an area of 2 ft x 3 ft). The sides of these shelters should be able to be opened during the summer. During the winter the shelters should be closed on three sides with the south side open. During the summer it is possible to raise swine without shelter as long as there is natural shade and cover available (i.e., a wooded area).It is important that the shelter area stay dry, in particular during the winter. Floors in the shelters are desirable, especially with small shelters.
Feeder and Watering Space Requirements
Provide one feeder space (hole) for each four to five pigs. Provide one waterer per 15 pigs. It is best to have at least two waterers per pen. Nipple type waterers designed for pigs work best.Other Recommendations
The lots should be periodically moved, if possible, to a new location. If lots cannot be moved, they periodically should be disked and left idle for about six months. This will decrease the problem with internal parasites (worms) and other diseases. This will also help keep "mud holes" from getting excessively large.The feeders should be placed on a concrete or wooden platform such that the pigs will stand on the platform while eating. A concrete or some other solid platform should also be located under the waterer. This will help to keep pigs from forming "mud holes" under the waterers and allows the pigs to get out of the mud to drink.
Related Information
Controlling Internal Parasites in Swine. Animal Science Fact Sheet AS 50.Deworming Suggestions for Pigs Raised in Dirt Lot Facilities. Animal Science Fact Sheet - AS/NF-1.
Swine Production on a Small Scale. Circular 470. Florida Cooperative Extension Service.
Please note that many swine production units, in particular units that raise more than 400 pigs at any one time, have to follow state and (or) local waste management regulations and may have to be permitted. Contact your local County Extension Service for more information.
Footnotes
1. This document is AS-115, one of a series of the Animal Science Department, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Original publication date July 1, 1993. Reviewed September 2007. Visit the EDIS Web Site at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.2. R. O. Myer, Professor of Animal Science, North Florida Research and Education Center, Marianna, Florida; Animal Science Department, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agriucultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, 32611.
The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.
U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Larry Arrington, Dean.
Copyright Information
This document is copyrighted by the University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) for the people of the State of Florida. UF/IFAS retains all rights under all conventions, but permits free reproduction by all agents and offices of the Cooperative Extension Service and the people of the State of Florida. Permission is granted to others to use these materials in part or in full for educational purposes, provided that full credit is given to the UF/IFAS, citing the publication, its source, and date of publication.