Casey Phillips University of Minnesota

Publish Date: April 17, 2012

While production, biosecurity, and maintaining environmental quality should be primary functions in the design of swine barns, there are steps you can take to promote wildlife around your facilities as well. Many of these steps are simple, cheap, and do not interfere with pork production. In addition to the aesthetic value, managing for the right kind of animals can help reduce vermin like rats, blackbirds, and flies and can also improve recreational opportunities like hunting and bird watching. This How-To fact sheet lists several easy steps you can take to increase the wildlife around your swine facilities, along with some helpful resources to help you complete these projects.