Swine Processing

Introduction

Most pigs aren't lucky enough to live on old-fashioned farms like "Babe". Most are kept in sheds on concrete floors, surrounded by metal bars. This method is called "intensive farming", or “factory farming", because large numbers of animals are crowded into small spaces as in a factory production line. Up to half the breeding sows still spend their pregnancies in individual sow stalls , where rows of sows are separated from each other by metal bars. These stalls are so small that the pigs can never turn around - they can only take one or or two steps forwards or backwards. In all states except NSW it is still legal to chain a sow to the stall by a collar around the neck or stomach. If someoane kept a dog in this way they would be prosecuted for cruelty.

Before they are due to give birth to their piglets, most sows are moved to an even smaller space called a farrowing crate . The crate is surrounded by metal bars for the piglets to crawl under to avoid being squashed by the sow. The heavily pregnant pigs with milk-swollen udders have to lie on cold, hard concrete. They have no straw for comfort or to make a nest with, as they would in the wild.

Teeth cutting

The piglet's teeth should be cut as soon as possible after its birth. The teeth can be cut when the pig is only 15 minutes old. The sow and her young should be separated for as short a time as possible. In order to clip the teeth you will need either a pair of tooth clippers, or pliers or forceps. You will need someone to help you separate the sow and her young. You will also need a box containing bedding and a clean empty ...