Tools to Move Pigs

Moving pigs with paddles and sort boards is always preferable to using electric prods, Ritter states. His research studies indicate that stress is minimized when pigs are moved with two or less shocks from an electric prod from barn pen to trailer.

Use electric prods only as a last resort to move pigs. Before using an electric prod, try the alternative handling methods. First, tap the pig with the wand of the prod without pushing the power button. Next, shock the gate or ceiling. “Sometimes that noise is enough to stimulate those pigs to move,” he suggests. If that doesn't work, try gently tapping the pigs with your hand or calmly pushing pigs.

Follow these guidelines when using an electric prod:

• Never use the prod in the pens during loading;

• Never shock a pig in a sensitive area. This is a willful act of abuse and may result in automatic termination of an employee;

• Place the electric prod on the back behind the shoulders, which research has shown to be the most effective place to shock a pig in order to get it to move forward; and

• Never shock a pig longer than one second, and don't repeat a shock for at least five seconds.

If it appears that more than two electric shocks are needed to move pigs from the barn pen to the trailer, Ritter suggests reevaluating your facility design and handling procedures.

During the loading process, if pigs express any signs of stress, open-mouthed breathing or blotchy skin, they should be sorted off to the resting pen rather than loaded. Any pigs having difficulty walking should also be sorted off.

“The goal is to identify and sort those pigs off before they become non-ambulatory,” he explains. If they cannot walk, use a sled to move them to a recovery pen. If the pig hasn't recovered in 2-3 hours, chances are it is not going to recover and should be euthanized.

Trailer Environment

To optimize environmental conditions, hogs should be showered in summer prior to transport and provided adequate bedding in winter. Boarding up the trailer can help protect pigs from frostbite in winter. Refer to the National Pork Board's Transport Quality Assurance program recommendations for more details (www.pork.org).

Finally, once trailers are loaded, it is imperative that trucks leave immediately and avoid undue stops to prevent rising temperatures inside the trailer, Ritter says.