Rick and Joan Van Zante Memories: Brandyn and Emily's new Venture

November 15 a large building started going up right in the middle of the field at home. A well was dug, gas was piped across the field to it and electricity came into the shed from under ground. The shed is going to be the home of 2480 pigs at one time. They are weaned at approximately 11# and then they make their journey over to this shed from somewhere in Missouri. Brandyn will care for them till they go to market. There are 24 double pins that will hold 100 head in each. The shed is 292' x 72'. There are 3 bins that hold 34 ton each to feed these little guys to market. Everything in the shed is automatic. Brandyn will give every pig a shot on day 21 of them being in the shed, nice greeting huh? Hopefully that is all for shots in case they get sick they will indeed get more pokes. After entering the shed Brandyn will take a shower, change clothes, then walk the shed twice a day looking for pigs not acting right, listening for coughing, yes they get colds just like we do, make sure they are all walking and running around okay. He will also make sure the waters are all working and the feeders are working correctly. He will check the temperature and air circulation, there are 4 furnace- LP burners, 9 large fans, heaters to heat the small areas of solid cement while the pigs are young. He then will shower in this building and wash his clothes there also. This will help keep diseases out of the building. His first pigs are coming to greet him on Thursday, January 19, one day after Beckym turns 4.

Feeder

Heaters for the small pigs to heat up solid cement. Later they will be hung up high and out of the way.

A feeder again. When the pigs get older they will drink water out of these feeders. Some will want to mix the water in the feed and others will prefer to drink water separate and keep their feed dry. We all like to eat our food different ya know.