6 Best Hog Panel Gates For Pigs That Old Farmers Swear By

There’s nothing quite like the jolt of seeing a 300-pound sow trotting happily through your vegetable garden. A flimsy gate latch or a bent panel is all it takes for a perfectly good morning to turn into a frantic chase. Choosing the right gate isn’t just about keeping pigs in; it’s about protecting your property, your animals, and your sanity.

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Why a Sturdy Hog Panel Gate is Non-Negotiable

A pig is a bulldozer with a brain. They are incredibly strong, surprisingly intelligent, and persistently curious. A weak gate is not a barrier; it’s a puzzle they will solve with their snout, their shoulder, or sheer, stubborn force.

You’re not just containing an animal. You’re managing risk. A loose hog can get injured, get into contaminated feed, or wander onto a road. The cost of a vet bill or a lost animal far exceeds the price difference between a cheap gate and a heavy-duty one.

Think of a good gate as an investment in peace of mind. It’s the confidence to leave your property knowing your animals are secure. It’s the difference between a secure homestead and a constant source of worry. Don’t ever skimp on the gate.

Tarter 4′ Hog Gate: The All-Around Workhorse

When you need a gate that just plain works, the Tarter 4′ Hog Gate is often the first one that comes to mind. Its classic red finish is a common sight on farms for a reason. It’s built from heavy-duty steel tubing with vertical z-braces that resist sagging and bending, even after years of use.

This gate is the definition of a reliable standard. It’s tall enough to discourage jumpers and strong enough to handle the constant leaning and pushing from market-weight hogs. The welded wire mesh is tight enough to keep most pigs contained without being so fine that it collects mud and debris.

Whether you’re setting up a main pasture entrance, creating a temporary breeding pen, or building a loading chute, this gate is versatile enough for the job. It strikes a perfect balance between strength, weight, and price, making it an excellent choice for nearly any application on a small farm. It’s the kind of equipment you buy once and use for decades.

Behlen Country Wire-Filled Gate for Versatility

The key feature of the Behlen Country gate is its tightly woven, 2×4 inch wire mesh. This design makes it incredibly versatile, especially if you’re raising pigs from farrow to finish. That tight grid is small enough to safely contain even the smallest piglets, preventing them from slipping through and getting separated from their mother.

This gate is also a great choice for biosecurity. The wire mesh helps keep out smaller predators like raccoons or stray dogs that might harass your pigs or try to steal feed. It offers a level of protection that a simple tube gate can’t match.

The trade-off is that a determined, full-grown boar might put more stress on a wire-filled gate than a solid tube gate over time. However, for sows, gilts, and growing pigs, its versatility is a massive advantage. If you have a multi-purpose paddock that might hold different types of livestock, this gate is a smart, flexible option.

Priefert Utility Panel Gate: Built for Tough Use

Priefert has a reputation for building equipment that feels indestructible, and their utility gates are no exception. These are not lightweight gates. They are engineered for high-stress, high-traffic areas where failure is simply not an option.

The construction is where this gate shines. It typically features heavy-gauge steel tubing with multiple vertical stays that provide exceptional rigidity. When a 500-pound boar decides to lean his full weight against it, a Priefert gate doesn’t bow or flex. It just stands there.

This is the gate you put in your working area, your loading chute, or the pen holding your most difficult animals. While it might be overkill for a simple pasture division, it’s the perfect solution for critical entry points. It’s an investment in preventing problems before they start.

Sioux Steel Victory Gate: Maximum Security Option

When you absolutely, positively cannot have a gate failure, you look at something like a Sioux Steel Victory Gate. This is the maximum-security option for containing valuable or particularly aggressive animals. Everything about this gate is overbuilt, from the steel gauge to the hinge and latch systems.

These gates are often designed with features that address common failure points. The latches are robust and often require more than a simple lift to open, making them pig-proof. The hinges are heavy-duty and designed to prevent sagging, ensuring the gate swings true for years, even with heavy use.

You’d choose this gate for containing a prized heritage boar or for the main entrance to your entire pig operation. It costs more, but you’re paying for the elimination of doubt. For a hobby farmer with a significant investment in their breeding stock, that kind of security is priceless.

CountyLine Welded Wire Gate: A Reliable Choice

Found at Tractor Supply, the CountyLine gate is the accessible and reliable choice for many farmers. It offers a fantastic balance of affordability and function. You don’t have to special order it or drive for hours; you can just go pick one up and have your pen secured by the end of the day.

This gate is a solid performer for general use. It’s strong enough for market hogs and sows in a standard pasture setting. The welded wire construction is sturdy, and the finish holds up reasonably well to the elements. It gets the job done without any unnecessary frills.

While it may not have the sheer heft of a Priefert or Sioux Steel, it’s more than adequate for 90% of the situations a hobby farmer will encounter. For building out new paddocks or replacing an old, worn-out gate on a budget, the CountyLine is a smart and practical pick. It proves that you don’t always have to buy the most expensive option to get a dependable result.

Applegate Steel Hog Gate: Simple and Effective

Applegate gates represent a classic, time-tested design. They are the definition of "if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it." These gates are built with a focus on fundamental strength, using horizontal steel tubes reinforced with welded vertical stays. There are no complex parts to break or fail.

The beauty of this gate is its simplicity. It’s just a solid wall of steel. This design is incredibly effective at withstanding the constant pressure and rubbing from large animals. It’s easy to see why this style has been a farm staple for generations—it simply works.

This is the kind of gate you might use to divide a large barn or create a permanent farrowing pen. It’s a no-nonsense piece of equipment that provides excellent security and durability. If you value proven reliability over modern features, an Applegate-style gate is an outstanding choice.

Key Features to Check Before You Buy Your Gate

Buying the right brand is only half the battle. The small details are what determine if a gate will be a pleasure to use or a constant frustration. Before you hand over your money, inspect these key features.

• The Latch: A simple chain wrap is asking for trouble. Pigs are smart enough to work them loose. Look for a pin latch, a slam latch, or something that requires two distinct actions to open. A pig-proof latch is non-negotiable.
• The Hinges: Are they welded on securely? Are they long enough to provide good leverage and prevent sagging? Adjustable bolt-on hinges are a huge plus, as they let you compensate for a post that shifts over time.
• The Finish: A gate will live outside its entire life. A thick powder-coat finish or a hot-dip galvanized coating will resist rust far better than a simple coat of paint. Scratches will happen, but a good base finish prevents them from becoming major rust spots.
• The Height: A 4-foot gate is a good all-around height. But if you have a breed known for climbing or you’re setting up next to a fenceline they could use for leverage, consider going taller. Match the gate height to your fencing and your animals.

Ultimately, the best gate is the one that lets you sleep at night without worrying about what you’ll find in the morning. A few extra dollars spent on heavier steel or a better latch is one of the wisest investments you can make on your farm. Choose well, install it properly, and it will serve you and your pigs for years to come.