THE PIG INDUSTRY.

Shannon News, 10 June 1924, Page 4

THE PIG INDUSTRY.

HANDLING THE ANIMALS

' Of all the domestic animals, pigs are undoubtedly the most difficult of all to handle successfully, especially when 'individual' treatment or individual handling is required. This is due to the fact that they are -not oftieri handled, therefore are not accustomed | to being in close proximity to man, and are very strong' and cannot be controlled by the ordinary mechanical arrangements for cattle or horses. Several different methods can and are being used for the control of pigs, and it i.s almost necessary to have some ■mechanical arrangement to do this successfully after a pig reaches 1001 b or more in weight. Small pigs up to 50 or •GOlb can very easily he held by a fairly strong individual for most all purposes. . v Very large pgs can best be controlled by use of the twitch or holder, which may consist of a small rope in "which a loop has been made or a piece of small wire looped ai< the end, the loop being placed over the upper jaw of the animal. For vaccinating large hogs or for castration of large boars this method is very effective, as when this rope or wire is tied to a pQSt or some -other solid object the animal will pull back" with sufficient force to draw it tank There are several inexpensive mechanical -arrangements working on tins principle on the market, most of which are more or less •efficient. The crate method is also more -or less satisfactory for very large sows and boars or large pigs, and this- consists simply (<■: a, very strong, heavy crate, in which the animals can be confined for the pevtormanee of .several operations, such as ringing, castration, and the like. Some pig breeders handle large hogs to throw them' on their sides by tying the front foot to the hind 'foot, then laying them next to a fence or gate, placing one end of ;i long timber, such as a pole, under the fence or gate, laying Mie piece of timber across their necks and then bearing down on it with sufficient force that they cannot lift their heads sufficiently to struggle. Two or more can. handle a very large animal in this way, but where a twitch can be vised iti is much more satisfactory and much easier. 'ln some cases a shoot can be mad" by placing a gate back against the fence and driving the hog between the gate and the fence, then preventing its backing out with a short gate or by short pieces of timber. This method is not satisfactory with pigs. hoAvever, as it is with larger animals, such as cattle and horses. In handling pigs that are not too large for a single individual, one of the best methods is to place them in a small pen, where the operator can reach over their backs and catch fihem by the ears. With a'good firm grasp on either car the small hog can be set upon its haunches and then grasped between the knees right back of the fore-shoulder with.sufficient force for giving worm remedies, ringing and such other work-. It is necessary, however, to have them in a small pen,' as if hogs have any considerable roam they are very difficult) to catch for handling. As a genera! rule hogsshould not be caught -y the hind legs, especially if they are of any size, as they'-are-quite likely to dislocate the hip joint, or break a leg in their considerable size, a good practice is to operator to throw a pig that* is of some considerable size, a good practice is to reach over the hogs back and grasp the front leg, particularly the front leg nearest the operator.and under the animal's belly, them draw up with considerable force, pushing the animal towards-the operator with sufficient force to throw it on its side. Then by placing one knee on the neck with considerable force a fairly good-sized animal con-be held reasonably securely. '*