How to catch a piglet???

[PattySh]

I've never dislocated a leg and most people I've gotten advice from lift them like that. I think that was an unfortunate rare occurance. Obviously there is a reasonable weight you can lift. Once you have the piglet lifted, if you have to carry a distance hold onto both legs, piglets back to you .If the piglet starts thrashing rest it on the ground on its shoulder while reaching for the second leg. If you try to grasp anything other than legs you could get a nasty bite. Much easier to have a helper with a dog crate held on it's back door facing up for quick closing. We grab them for castrating and when sold as weanlings like this. Obviously a smaller stall or area works easier.

 

[jhm47]

When I raised pigs, I handled thousands of them by lifting them by their back legs. Never had a problem. Actually, I'd like to be a mouse in the corner when you start the rodeo. Catching pigs can be more than a little challenging, especially for inexperienced people. Maybe you should hire someone to take a video!

 

[woodsie]

When I raised pigs, I handled thousands of them by lifting them by their back legs. Never had a problem. Actually, I'd like to be a mouse in the corner when you start the rodeo. Catching pigs can be more than a little challenging, especially for inexperienced people. Maybe you should hire someone to take a video!

I definitely used the back legs technique today...being a newbie I was passed this squealing thrashing piglet by the back legs...I grabbed it, held on for dear life while trompsing 30 feet in a 12" deep mud and poop pit until we reached the truck. I quickly put the use the tip from PattySh and got the back facing me because if they get a leg on you to push off, things get really interesting. From then on held him out from me and ran as fast as I could in gum boots.

Now keeping in them in the new pen, that was interesting! They kept blowing through the 3 strands of hotwire!!! but we switched to straight wire and it seems to be holding them much better than the woven wire.

Good luck on your piglet catching...keep us posted!

 

[Cornish Heritage]

Grab them by the rear leg and lift fast. Have a dog crate or small sturdy pen ready

Catching by the back leg is the most effective way to catch a pig. With our Large Blacks who had long ears it was also possible to catch them by their ears.

Liz

 

[that's*satyrical]

We did it!!! We determined the best way is to use a snare. Although we were also successful grabbing them while they were eating with mom and dad. However, that took A LOT longer....

 

[PattySh]

Way to go guys! Pig catching isn't easy. We wrangled a litter for castrating recently.

 

[Lynn]

When our 5 piglets that were 8 weeks old got loose and were running around the farm, in the neighbors yard, through the intersection near the house, (you get the picture) I used our old salmon fishing net to snag the little buggers. The last two were so worn out from running around that they just both ran themselves back to the pen... I was by myself and they ran much faster than my short legs can!! It was a sight that neighbors are still commenting on. Sigh!
At least they all got back where they belonged and none the worse for wear!

 

[Mike Fronczak]

You have to get creative, we have used all of the methods listed above. If all else has failed for piglets, I use a salmon fishing net. It has a long handle. They learn quickly to avoid it at which point it becomes a great herding tool as well. Larger pigs I use food, luckily as ours have gotten larger, we have gained more knowledge, put electric wire inside their paddock, etc. so they really haven't escaped as larger animals. I'll try to remember to update in November after we try sorting (keeping 3) & loading 4 onto the trailer to butcher. It should be intresting.

 

[thestockdogcompany]

Step one. Gently, efficiently gather group with good dog. Step two, use long handled heavy fish net to scoop up piglet. Step 3 done.

Or

Step one. Gently, efficiently gather group with good dog. Step two, use goat herder's leg crook to catch piglet. Step 3 done.

Or

Step one. Gently, efficiently gather group with good dog. Step two, walk group into small catch pen, close gate, lean down pick up piglet. Step 3 done.



youtu.be/qCoA0cgxFJw

 

[CritterZone]

Pig Boards. We used them at fairs when I showed 4-H and FFA. A sheet of plywood with holes cut in the top for your hands so you can hold them. Just use the boards to push the pigs to the gate. It will take more than one person, but it works pretty well.