When his steel hog farrowing crates rusted out so bad that he could no longer repair them, Cecil Roth, Milford, Neb., started looking around for rust-free replacements. Coming up empty-handed, he decided to build his own "rust-proof' farrowing crates from pvc pipe.

"Pvc pipe will never corrode and it's easy to clean," says Roth, who has 24 of the crates in use on his farm. "The plastic is slick, like waxed steel so manure can't stick to it. In the past it took me seven hours to pressure-wash 24 steel crates. Now it takes only 2 1/2 hours. The crates are also attractive and much quieter. They're easy on sows and people because there are no sharp corners to get hurt on. I've used mine for almost a year with no problems."

Crates are built from 3 and 2-in. dia. pvc pipe and are lag bolted in place. The fittings and bottom supports are made from stain-less steel. A stainless steel "wet-type" sow feeder is attached to the removeable front gate for easy cleaning. Both the front and rear gate are opened with one pin on each side. A 1/2-in. pvc water line delivers water both to the sow feeder and to a piglet nipple waterer built into one leg of the crate.