How to Build a Pig Pen

So today, I am writing to you about how to build a pig pen.  When deciding where to place your pigs, first you need to be able to clear the area where you want to house your pigs.  So once you have cleared your area, then you need to get your supplies together to start constructing the pen.  Here is the list of supplies:

(2) 4'x4'x8' pressure treated posts

(8) 8' landscape timber

(2) 1lb box of deck and patio nails

(16) 5/4x6"x12' pressure treated boards

(8) 5/4x6"x10' pressure treated boards

(3) 4'x8' sheet of plywood

post hole diggers

(2) hinges for a gate

(1) 1x4x8 pressure treated board

Now these supplies cost me $118.  You can buy any of these supplies at any local hardware or home improvement stores.  It is imperative to make sure that all of your boards are straight and not twisted or bowed.  

So now here is the steps that needs to take place to construct your pen.

1. Mark off your 10 ft by 24 ft area.

2. Dig your corner post holes 2 ft deep.

3. Cut the 4x4x8 posts to 4 ft lengths.  There should be 4 posts total.

4. Now put the posts in the holes.

5. Mark off the next holes on the sides by 4 ft increments which should be 5 holes on each side.

6. Cut the landscape timbers to 4 ft lengths.

7. Place the 4 ft timbers into the holes.

8. Now for the end sections, dig holes at 3.5 ft lengths.  (Should be 2 holes)

9. Place 4 ft timbers into the holes.

10. Nail the 12 ft boards to the posts.  This establishes the sides of the pen.

11. On the back side, nail the 10 ft boards to the posts on the end.

This establishes the three sides of the pen.

12. Cut the remaining 10 ft boards to 3.5 ft lengths. (There should be 8 boards at 3.5 ft and 4 boards at 3 ft)

13. Nail the 3.5 ft boards to the corner and middle posts.

14. Cut the 1x4 to two 2 ft lengths.

15. Construct the gate by nailing the 2ft and 3 ft lengths to form a gate.  

16. Take the hinges and screw it onto the 1x4 and one of the middle posts, making it swing inwards.

17. Nail the plywood into the back of the 10 ft section. This helps construct the shelter portion of the pen.

18. Place the 4 ft sections of the landscape timbers 3.5 ft away from the back wall.

19. Nail in the plywood on the top of landscape timbers and on the timbers on the back wall.

20. Cut the last plywood board to 4 ft lengths.

21. Nail the 4 ft sections to the sides of the shelter.

Now the pig pen has been constructed, you can put in at least two pigs into that pen.  Make sure you put in some hay into your shelter to help give warmth.  Pigs like to burrow in their bedding.  Make sure you keep the pig pen clean because they are very clean animals. 

Self Sufficient Farming

Today I am writing about self sufficient farming.  In the past two years, my family and I have been experimenting in different ways how a city family can survive in the country environment.  It was definitely hard at times but it is well worth it.  In our blogs from now on, we are going to starting giving tips on how to stay self sufficient.  And what I mean about self sufficient is the ability to provide your own food with hard work in the beginning but reaping the rewards in the end.

I decided to start a new format of our blogs, due to a conversation that I had with a customer at work today.  I realized how much I enjoyed the farming life and the ability to use the skills I have learned here in Greene County, GA.  How much I love the ability to be able to walk out the door and smell fresh air and not smog.  Don't get me wrong, I am going to be giving information to the "city folks" and well as the country folks.  This new format is for everyone and anyone who wishes to read it.

So this is what everyone needs to be prepared for:
  1) How to establish a site for a pig pen and building it.
  2) How to care for pigs that are raised for food
  3) How to establish a raised bed for a garden
  4) How to have a garden in any type of soil and what soil amendments to use
  5) How to raise chickens for both eggs and meat

These are a few of the things to be looking forward to in the month ahead.  Keep checking in with us and stay informed.  Thank you for checking out our site.

New Post for the New Year

Hello everyone.  Well this is a new year and it is about time to start plowing your fields and planting your gardens.  Well we here at A and B Farm are ready to help with your organic fertilizer needs.  First I would like to thank everyone who has bought castings from me and would like to leave some feed back for me and others to see.  We are dedicated to making you guys satisfied.  I have spoken to a Greene County Master Gardener yesterday and I am making plans to help them with their project for this year in starting a small scale community raised bed projectover at the Agriculture Extension Office.

100% germination on Kale

Well I thought I would let everyone know that my Kale had a 100% germination rate in my worm castings and potting soil mix.  I will post pictures later.  I am currently working on transplanting broccoli, winterbor kale, and cabbage in my worm casting and potting soil mix.  Hopefully all will work out well.

Gourmet Lettuce 2 weeks after transplanting

Well like I promised I would do two weeks ago, I am going to show you some pictures of the gourmet lettuce that was germinated in my worm castings/potting soil mix and then transplanted into the same type of mixture.  Let the pictures do the talking.  You can tell a huge difference since the plants have been transplanted.  And the hint is that there is no fertilizer involved just good ole organic worm castings.  If you are interested in purchasing some worm castings contact me at aandbfarm@yahoo.com.  5 pound bags are $8.00 a bag.

Newspaper Article

Well I just got the newspaper article from The News Reporter (Wilkes County newspaper).  I mentioned earlier on how there was an article being written from my visit and guest speaker role with the Washington Wilkes Garden Club.  I truly enjoyed the experience and thank the ladies of the club.  If you have time read the article.  Hope everyone is doing well.

Day 3 After Planting Kale

Well today I went into my garden room and checked out all of the plant boxes.  And guess what I saw.  I have kale seed already sprouting, this is amazing due to I planted these seeds three days ago in a potting soil/worm casting mix.  I will post a picture later on.  But I thought this would interest everyone who reads my blog.  The onions and tomatos are planted in regular potting soil so I don't expect to see any early germination.  But if you remember my pumpkin plants that were planted with a soil and worm casting mix germinated extremely early also.  So the worm castings are definitely doing it's job with the kale and lettuce.