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The Breakroom => The Water Cooler => Topic started by: awemawson on May 06, 2016, 06:55:20 AM

Title: Hydroponic Piggies
Post by: awemawson on May 06, 2016, 06:55:20 AM
Just completed one of those little jobs that have been waiting 'on the list' since last year  :thumbup:

My pigs are on concrete, now if they were on earth, in hot weather, they'd dig a 'wallow' to keep themselves cool. But thankfully they can't dig in the concrete. So up till now I've been cooling them down with a hose pipe in hot weather. It works but isn't entirely satisfactory for them or me.

So last summer I bought a 'hydroponic misting kit' - probably intended for growing dodgy plants on the QT - and then I realised that if I just fixed it to the railings, they'd chew it off in no time short. Nothing high up to fix it to, until I hit on the idea of using vertical scaffold poles - alreay had the poles and pole caps, just needed some suitable scaffold clips.

Ebay provided, and I installed it all this morning. Steel reinforced washing line strung between the pole tops as a cantenary, and cheap nasty plastic hydroponic kit cable tied  to it giving spray nozzles every metre. Luckily I tested it first and remade the four 'pushfit' joints that popped off  :bang: Kit slightly too short so extended to stand pipe via 4 mm nylon airline hose.

Altogether didn't go too badly, and at least it's done before the weather gets very hot - don't want roast pork while still on the hoof  :clap:
Title: Re: Hydroponic Piggies
Post by: millwright on May 06, 2016, 04:17:47 PM
Ehhh Andrew you spoil those mobile bacon sarnys, when do they get the sunglasses and sun block?   :lol: :lol:

John
Title: Re: Hydroponic Piggies
Post by: awemawson on May 06, 2016, 07:28:39 PM
You may joke but the light skinned pigs do need suncream when the weather gets brighter, or they burn just like children on  the beach.

Downside of outdoors rearing I suppose

Title: Re: Hydroponic Piggies
Post by: RobWilson on May 07, 2016, 03:12:38 AM
Morning Andrew


Would that not be the case if they had a wallow, Would the mud act as sun block ?


Rob

Title: Re: Hydroponic Piggies
Post by: awemawson on May 07, 2016, 03:34:34 AM
Yes the mud as you say acts as a sun block. When I built the new sty, I had at first intended to put a sunken area in with earth fill. (A bit like a kids sand pit!)  But then I realised that the next issue would be new born piglets drowning in the inevitable puddle that would form every time it rains.
Title: Re: Hydroponic Piggies
Post by: RobWilson on May 07, 2016, 04:15:25 AM
Definitely pampered  pigs  :thumbup:
Title: Re: Hydroponic Piggies
Post by: howsitwork? on May 07, 2016, 01:14:00 PM
does it improve the flavour??? :drool:

You can also take "rainbow pictures" as the sun light goes thro' the mist?

Thought from the thread title you were getting into dodgy genetic experiments !

re sunblock could you not add fine clay to the water and spray that "coating them" ,works with whitewash on greenhouse?
Title: Re: Hydroponic Piggies
Post by: awemawson on May 07, 2016, 01:25:28 PM
.... no we're going to offer 'pig wrestling' as a side line for the holiday cottage guests  :lol:
Title: Re: Hydroponic Piggies
Post by: Pete. on May 07, 2016, 02:52:27 PM
You may joke but the light skinned pigs do need suncream when the weather gets brighter, or they burn just like children on  the beach.

Downside of outdoors rearing I suppose

Ooh goody I love crackling  :drool:
Title: Re: Hydroponic Piggies
Post by: Will_D on May 07, 2016, 05:21:12 PM
Love the idea of the misting system.

As pigs are probably the most intelligent of farm animals could you not rig up a water feeder with a micro switch so that when they are a bit hot then "snout-in" the water feeder and get a 5 minute cool shower!