Handling free-ranged pigs safely and efficiently

Figure 1: The flight distance refers to the distance (between an animal and a human) where the animal starts to move away from the human. The flight distance is indicated by the dashed line in the illustration. A pig's point of balance is located approximately off the pig's shoulder.

Video: flight distance, point of balance and blind spot in English (seges.tv)

The flight distance refers to the distance (between an animal and a human) where the animal begins to move away from the human. When you approach a pig and cross into the flight distance, the pig will start to move away from you. 

Animals that are stressed or not used to being handled have a greater flight distance than animals that are calm and used to being handled. 

Placing yourself correctly according to the point of balance can make an animal stop or turn in a different direction. If you are walking behind a pig and want to make it stop, you must step forward and walk up on the side of the pig until you pass the balance point (located at the level of the pig's shoulder (see figure 1). If you wish to make the pig turn, you must pass the balance point and then walk towards the pig. This will cause the pig to turn away from you (see video on flight distance and point of balance.

Pigs have a blind spot directly behind them. Therefore, it is important to constantly move from side to side when driving pigs forward. Avoid walking directly behind a pig, as this will cause it to constantly turn around to keep an eye on you.

Figure 2: Since pigs have a blind spot, you must approach a pig slightly obliquely from behind to drive it forward.

How to drive a group of pigs in the open

Learn to drive a group of pigs forward, control the group’s direction and drive it into a cart or through an opening. It may be beneficial to watch the video on flight distance and point of balance first, as these techniques are utilized to control the flock's movements.

Video: handling free ranged-pigs: driving a group of pigs 

First, collect the pigs by making large zig-zag movements across the field. The flight distance and the point of balance of the pigs closest to you can guide the animals in the desired direction.

Figure 3: By making large zig-zag movements across the field, you can gather the animals before you start driving them forward.

Group the pigs along a fence if possible. This is especially an advantage if you are alone in driving the pigs. If you are two people driving the pigs, one can drive the group forward by zigzagging behind the pigs, while the other person keeps the direction by walking next to the group.

Figure 4: The person behind the group drives the pigs forward, while the person walking alongside the group keeps the direction of the group by calmly stepping forward towards the pigs going the wrong way.

You may stop the group of pigs stepping forward on the side of the group and passing the point of balance of the front pig. Turn the group around by zigzagging in front of the pigs. 

The principles of driving animals forward can also be used to drive the animals through an opening or into a cart. However, it often requires more experience and patience. Always ease the pressure on the pigs by stopping briefly or stepping backwards when they do what you want them to do.

Sort a single animal from a group pigs

Pigs are group animals and are most secure when they are in a group. Therefore, it can be difficult to separate a single animal.

To separate an animal from a group place yourself between the animal you want to separate and the rest of the group. Use the principle of flight distance and point of balance (see figure 1) to drive the single animal in the desired direction.

Watch this video to learn more about the different techniques you may use when you wish to separate an animal from the group out in a field or through an opening or in a cart:

Video: techniques to separate an animal from the group (seges tv)

The boar is bigger, stronger and more aggressive

The risk of injuries is greater when handling boars compared to the risk of handling sows. This is because boars are larger and stronger, and they will often defend the sows. The risk of attack is therefore greater if a boar must be separated from the group or if a boar is present when one of the sows must be sorted out. In this video you can learn how to prevent risk situations and achieve a safer handling of boars.

Video: handling af boar  (seges.tv)

Urinating and scratching the ground can be signs that the boar is getting stressed and potentially dangerous 

Safe handling of the boar requires that you:

• keep a good distance
• avoid direct eye contact
• keep him in the middle of the group when driving the pigs forward
• avoid making him a pet or he may lose respect for humans