Pig Handling & Restraint.

 Handling and restraint of piglets:

Piglet handling and restraint is an essential skill when it is necessary to treat or monitor the health of piglets. To humanely pick up a piglet take hold of one of the piglet’s hind legs and lift, then place one arm underneath the stomach and cradle the piglet in order to examine the animal effectively and without discomfort. Hold the piglet firmly but gently to avoid any distress. Do not attempt to tightly restrain the piglet as this will cause the animal discomfort and it will fight and squeal. After working with the piglet, place it back in the same farrowing crate that it was taken from to avoid fighting. If it placed in a different crate it will be attacked. While working in the farrowing crate, be aware of the sow at all times. Try to avoid working near the sow’s head when handling the piglets, as this could aggravate the sow.

Testing Module:

Level of Competency

 

Action required to achieve this competency level:

1

makes no attempt to grasp the piglet’s leg

2

Picks the piglet up by the hind leg but does not support the body

3

Picks the piglet up and cradles it but not with much control, or creating discomfort for the piglet

4

Picks the piglet up and cradles it but does not show confidence when the piglet shows signs of distress.

5

Shows skill and confidence throughout the entire process while expressing knowledge of the piglets temperament and reacting appropriately.

  

 Moving sows between pens:

Open the gate so the sow can clearly see the opening. Walk behind the sow and using a pig board guide her out of the pen. The pig board is used to provide a physical and optical barrier which the sow can not move through. Use the pig board to guide the sow through the gate. You can move to her side if you need to turn her around or direct her in an alternate direction. Depending on the pen design, it could be favourable to move the sows in a direction which allows them to see the open gate more clearly and hence move through it more efficiently. Open the gate to the desired pen and guide her into it. When in the pen be aware of the other sows and/or boar at all times.

Testing Module:

Competency Level:

 

Action required to achieve this competency level:

1.

Will not enter the pen.

 

2.

Makes an attempt to, but cannot separate the targeted sow(s) from the group.

3.

Allows other sows to escape the pen as well as target sow(s).

4.

Removes the preferred sow from the pen but cannot move the sow(s) into the new pen. 

5.

Quickly and efficiently moves the target sow(s) from one pen to another.

 

 

 

 A two week old piglet:                                    A traditional farrowing pen:                              A heavily pregnant sow showing nesting behaviours:

 Image sources (banner images):
-http://taxdollars.ocregister.com/2009/06/09/as-oc-fair-graduates-from-pig-races-to-film-producer-some-are-outraged/22485/

-http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/enlarge/hot-springs-pigs_pod_image.html

-http://www.superstock.com/stock-photos-images/1566-325125