706 IQWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



MOVABLE HOG HOUSES. 



BY JOHN M. Em'AED AND J. B. DAVIDSON. 



Bulletin No. 152, Agricultural Experiment Station, Iowa State College 

 of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts. 



Movable liog houses, properly built and used, are successful. Those 

 described in this bulletin have stood the test at the Iowa Agricultural 

 Experiment station. They are practical and satisfactory, and what 

 is said concerning them and hog houses in general is based on years 

 of thorough investigation and study of the housing of swine by the ani- 

 mal husbandry and agricultural engineering sections. 



Proper housing is essential to successful swine production, and yet it 

 is ofttimes overlooked. Dry, sanitary, comfortable conditions must be 

 provided if one wishes the best returns in the pork producing business. 

 The hog is not as well protected with natural covering as most domestic 

 animals. He relies mainly on the production of thick layers of fat which 

 provide considerable protection. All hogs are not so fortunate, how- 

 ever, as to be fat, hence they must depend upon their hair or bristle 

 covering which is inadequate, even though abundant, in the zero days 

 of winter. Sensible shelter, therefore, is in order because it saves feed, 

 provides comfort, and, of course, saves money. 



Swine are quite susceptible to the unfavorable influences of dampness, 

 cold, heat and drafts. The new-born pig, farrowed in January, February, 

 or March, must be intelligently housed in warm, dry, well ventilated 

 quarters if good returns are to be expected. 



THE ESSENTIALS OF AN IDEAL HOG HOtTSE. 



The satisfactory house for hogs should possess these requirements: 



1. War-mth: The newly farrowed pigs especially demand protection. 

 Early pig production is impossible without warm shelter. Stock hogs 

 thrive best when they are not compelled to "shiver" from cold and thus 

 burn up feed which would otherwise be converted into tissue. The winter- 

 ing sow makes good use of a warm sleeping bed. In truth, all classes of 

 swine demand reasonably warm shelter if maximum returns are expected. 

 Sudden wide ranges of temperature are to be avoided. 



2. Dryness: To expect thrift in damp, musty quarters is not logical. 

 The dripping of condensed moisture from roof and walls is seriously 

 objectionable. Metallic constructions are open to deserved criticism in 

 this respect; wooden inside sheathing helps considerably. Masonry unless 

 built with hollow air space is somewhat liable to cause this undesirable 

 condensation. A dry, well-drained floor as well as dry, tight roof and 

 walls are all essential. 



3. Abundance of light and direct sunlight: Without sunlight we 

 cannot have a profitable swine husbandry. It is the great and universal 

 germ destroyer and kills disease-causing organisms. It promotes dryness, 

 warmth, and ventilation, thus bettering hygienic conditions. Direct sun- 

 light gives suckling pigs vigor and strength. Direct sunlight should 



Note. — Acknowledgment is made to C. E. Wright and A. W. Griffin for 

 assistance in the preparation of the drawings. 



