Are you moving pigs , whether to get them to slaughter or to the 4H show ? If so , you ’ll need to be smart about how you do it .
One of the hardest things about possess a pig is image out how to enchant it . Hogs are very large but can be transported in an inclose trailer or stock poke with some effort .
The dependable manner to send pig bed is in an put in drone , which protects them from weather and collisions .
There are certainly other ways to move pigs , but experience an enfold trailer to move your hogget is the most dependable way to do so .
Aside from the “ what ” you will use to move your hog , you also need to tackle the “ how . ” Pigs are notoriously refractory animal , and getting them from Point A to Point B is n’t always soft .
Here are some tips to help you transport pigs – maybe not inevitably in trend , but safely !
When is Transporting Pigs Necessary?
There are a few situations when you might let on that act pigs is necessary . Here are some of the most mutual .
1. Purchasing or Selling
This is one of the most vernacular reasons why people move their pigs and , unfortunately , it is also ineluctable . If pigs are moving from farm A to farm B , then unless those two farms are neighboring , they need to get in a trailer to get to their new home .
The honest news is that this is something that ’s often done with untried grower hog , who take a hop back from the emphasis of the move a routine light than older sow . However , you will still need to take the appropriate steps to insure that your grunter do n’t become distressed by the move .
2. Moving to Slaughter
Another often unavoidable situation is when you need to take your pigs to the slaughterhouse .
Many farmers do n’t give this much thought , assuming that stress stratum do n’t count because the pig is n’t choke to be awake for that much longer .
However , multiple studieshave exhibit that tenseness before slaughtering can dramatically reduce meat caliber ( due to cortisol yield ) . Sus scrofa also lose a shocking percentage of their soundbox weight when they are stressed , even for brief geological period .
It can even lead to atmospheric condition like the expression ofporcine strain syndrome .
Therefore , you must exercise caution when moving pigs , even in the moment leading up to slaughter .
3. Show or Breeding
If you have pigs that you employ for exhibition or fosterage , you may come up that moving them in a laggard or by other way is necessary , too .
If you have squealer that are more likely to be stressed than others , you may have to re - evaluate whether using them for show or breeding is a sound idea . Are there other creature you may practice instead ?
4. Is It Really Necessary?
While you probably are n’t fain to load your pigs up into the trailer just to take a joy drive , the reality is that there are some situations in which moving them may not be really necessary .
For example , instead of trailering pig to the slaughterhouse , would it be potential for you to engage inon - farm slaughter ? Rather than move your pigs to another farm to be bred , could you considerAI breeding ?
research all options to limit their stress ( and yours ) by carry them .
10 Tips for Transporting Pigs
Here are some world-wide tips for moving pigs so that you ( and most importantly , they ! ) can have a stress - free experience .
1. Familiarize Yourself With Signs of Stress
This is a expert tip for pig keeping in general , but peculiarly if you ever plan on be active your pigs .
Keep an eye out for the trace symptom , number from the mild to most dangerous :
Ultimately , ignoring the signs of accent can cause death , so you must take it deadening and tolerate your pigs to rest if they exhibit any signs of stress .
2. Get Pigs Used to Being Handled
This can be a tough one , but if potential , seek to get your pigs acclimatize to being handled . Interact with the slovenly person when you feed them . If they let you , pet them .
Of naturally , always be careful when handle your pigs , but roll in the hay that a pig who is used to human interaction will be far easier to load and transfer than the mostly savage one .
3. Stay Calm and Don’t Rush the Pigs
A error I almost always make when move pigs is thinking that they will operate onmytimeline . Ha ! Think again .
A pig has a mind of its own , and inevitably , the more you attempt to rush a pig , the slower he is going to move .
You require to make trusted you remain serene and , most significantly , give yourself plentifulness of time to load the pig . Do n’t put yourself into a time crush that will stress both you and the pigs .
4. Use Sorting Panels
Sorting panels can be your near friend when move any type of animal , but particularly when run pigs . Invest in a few ( or build some ) to make your life well-fixed .
5. Avoid Electric Prods
This should more or less go without say , but test to avoid being approximative . I do n’t wish using boat paddle or electric urging . Some hog custodian swear by them , say that they are necessary .
The trouble with affair like prods , specially when used on a Sus scrofa several times in a dustup , is that they can cause scare . Being jolting or aggressive with the pigs in any way can make them more belligerent and lead to a serious position .
6. Take Advantage of the Natural Leader
Did you know that pigs , just like most groups of social animals , have a natural leader ? If you may see out who this is ( often , it ’s the large sloven , though not always ) , you may take advantage of the social structure to move your pigs .
Rather than leading or force all of your pigs , one by one , into the trailer , you may allow the lead pig guide the rest . Entice that leading slob and you ’ll have a much soft time move the others .
7. Use Alleys and Corners
Both close street corner and skittle alley can be helpful when moving pigs – but they can also be your downfall .
endeavor to avoid knifelike turns in alley and verify the lighting is undimmed . Pigs do n’t want to move ahead if they ca n’t see what ’s next , but they also are n’t great at indorse up . This can go to a bottleneck .
rather , just move a few pigs at a time – no more than 6 at once if the alley is 3 - feet wide .
8. Make Sure You Have the Right Trailer
When you ’re drag small , young pigs , you do n’t need a lot of space . Many people cart them in the back of a truck or a crate , making a lagger obsolete .
However , adult pigs and market pigs need much more space . Open drone sides or those with venthole are idealistic to increase airflow .
9. Keep Spacing in Mind
Pay attention to how much room you have in your dawdler . There needs to be adequate ventilation , and the place needs to be hatch to foreclose suntan .
will enough distance so that every undivided fauna can lie down at the same time . You may need to gift in partitions to classify the load or minimise fighting .
10. Don’t Let Them Stand – Start Moving ASAP
Once your pigs have been charge into the prevue , judge to get going ASAP . Now is not the time to pop up back into the house to enjoy that second cup of coffee . You need to hit the road .
The longer you have pigs in the trailer , the more likely they are to stand up and move around . If you start go after that , they could hang and injure themselves .
at long last , essay to transport squealer during the early morning or later even hours , when the temperatures are cooler . This , too , can minimize strain .
Drive Carefully!
It is significant to be aware of the fare process and how it will affect your hog . Be certain that you have a hardy trailer for transport them , and do not overstuff or overcrowd the vehicle with animal .
You also have to check that they are comfortable in their impermanent digs , so provide bedding materials , like drinking straw , if call for .
The most important pourboire ? Pay attention ! Although you should always do your best to bound distracted drive and stay attentive while on the route – now is not the metre to check your Instagram ! – it ’s even more of import when you ’re hauling stock .
Avoid acute movements , like making gooselike turns or slamming on the brake , as this can further strain your pigs .
Transporting pigs can be a tricky business , but with the ripe tips and aid to detail , you should have no trouble get your fauna from point A to guide B.
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