moving and loading pigs

Preparation
1	Set up gates and open required doors etc before starting to move the pigs.
2	Pigs should have a clear path ahead of them to prevent them from baulking.
3	The surface should be non-slip and even, preferably made of concrete.
4	Dimensions of walkways and pens are important to the movement of pigs. Only move a few pigs at a time through a narrow passageway to reduce ‘bottle-necks’.
5	Try to shelter pigs from wind and rain – they will baulk if driven into it.
6	Pigs move well-to-well lit areas. Ideally the light should be diffuse. Avoid moving straight into the sun.
7	Puddles, unfamiliar objects, draughts, loud banging noises, will cause pigs to baulk.
Moving
1	Use pig boards of the right size for the passageways you will move down. Never rely on your feet to guide pigs.
2	Get help if required, and make sure everyone knows where the pigs are heading.
3	Pigs have wide vision – 310^o. Therefore follow behind the pig and slightly to one side using a solid moving board, adjusting the position of the board to prevent pigs from turning their heads.
4	Use positive behaviour and encouraging pleasant sounds. Gentle and considerate handling should be practised at all times; pigs respond well to a calm stock person.
5	Do not rush pigs excessively, they are often unaccustomed to exercise, but do follow closely so that they don’t turn round and come back at you. Remember to close gates behind you.
6	Allow a stressed pig time to recover before moving it, do not continue – the pig will only get worse.
7	Regular handling and contact with the stock person, and novel stimuli such as toys, chains, straw and changes in daylight increase their ease of handling.
8	Pigs have good memories and will remember regular routes on-farm.
9	The use of electric goads, sticks or pipes is forbidden for all members of the Scheme.
Loading
1	Pigs should not be slap marked at the time of loading, so as to avoid additional stress, and hence improve meat quality. Slap marking must be done carefully so that the mark is clear, thus aiding trace ability.
2	Load pigs as far as possible in their farm pen groups to minimise fighting, which is not only stressful, but can lead to carcass condemnation and poor meat quality.
3	In summer, avoid loading pigs in the hottest part of the day. If loading at night, use floodlights – pigs do not move easily from light to dark areas (also consider lighting within the vehicle for loading from bright sunlight).
4	Climbing a ramp is the most stressful part of the loading procedure – steep ramps can cause bruising, rectal prolapse and can lead to carcass condemnation and poor meat quality.
5	A concrete loading ramp built at lorry height (75-80 cm from the ground) should be available on farm. It should have a gradual ascent (no more than 15^o) and ideally be around 1 m wide, expanding to 2.5-3 m wide at the top to accommodate the lorry tailgate. The tailgate alone should not be used as a loading ramp from the ground as it will be too steep.