Loading area design

The following may be considered when designing a loading area for pigs

Pigs
	Any pig transported must be fit to load onto the truck and unload at the arrival point
Moving pigs
			Pigs can be moved by a stockman’s voice; hands and gestures; boards; flags or paddles
			The pigs are not to be hit by any of these moving aids
			Electric prodders are not to be used to move pigs
			Pigs move easier when the stockperson has fully planned the move
Basic design
		The loading area should have no sharp turns
		The loading area should be free of any protrusions – such as nails or bolts
		There should be no steps or gaps in the walkway
		Ideally there should be no slope to the loading area
		If a slope is necessary, the maximum slope should be 20°
		The ramp for finishing pigs should be 0.9 to 1.0 m wide – sufficient for two bacon pigs
		Have a see through fence down the middle of the ramp – so the pigs can see each other
		The ramp sides should be smooth, solid and 1 m high
		The loading area should be well lit – 250 lux
		Avoid any sharp contrast in shade and hue. This includes wet patches.
		The loading area should protect the pigs and staff from the weather – heat and cold
		The ramp should have a walkway for staff
		There should be a flat area 2 meters long at the top of the ramp
		A biosecurity creep bar should be placed at the top of the ramp
		Do not allow the farm staff to enter the truck
		Do not allow the truck driver to enter the ramp area
		Cleats in the ramp should be 2.5 cm metal rod separated by a gap more than the pig’s feet but not wide enough to allow the pig to slip

Trucking Basics

Space allowance

Average live weight (kg)	Space allowance (m^2/head)
50	0.22	Reduce stocking density by 10% in hot weather – greater than 25° C Avoid transporting pigs in very hot weather – greater than 30°C
75	0.29
100	0.35
125	0.42
150	0.48
175	0.55
200	0.61
225	0.68
250	0.74
275	0.81
300	0.87

Loading ramp rules- Biosecurity and Cleaning
1	Trucks must have no pigs on board, must be clean, washed and disinfected
2	The off-farm disinfectant/washing area (see above) must be prepared prior to each loading by the unit staff, (wearing off-unit clothing) and then they must re-enter the farm
3	The truck driver must not own or farm pigs
4	The truck driver must inform a member of staff using the klaxon/horn upon arrival
5	The truck drivers must wash their hands and wear the over-boots provided and dip the boots in the disinfectant provided
6	The truck driver's name and vehicle number should be logged in the animal movement book
7	Farm staff must not cross the security fence line or the loading ramp
8	The loading ramp area must be thoroughly cleaned after loading each batch of pigs
9	The truck driver must not enter the unit, under the security fencing onto the on-farm ramp, to assist the loading
10	All entry and exit points should be well lit, ideally with proximity sensors
11	The sorting area and on-farm loading area must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected once the pigs have arrived or left

Handling and moving pigs