High today was 90 degrees.  Low overnight will be 62.
Seems too hot to move a pig, but for what it’s worth…

For a pig to travel safely, he or she should be inside a customized crate. The crate should have a wooden floor and two doors, one at each end. That way, it will not be necessary for the pig to back out of the crate, once he or she gets to the destination. Both doors should be equipped with a sliding bolt latch, as this is difficult for the pig to open by pushing.

The crate should also have four handles, extending out from each end and on both sides. This will make it possible for four people to lift the pig crate and carry it in a manner like the Ark of the Covenant.

Your pig crate should look something like this:

First, place hay inside the crate before the pig gets in. Next, make sure that the front door is latched. Position the crate near the pig pen and just behind the wagon that will hold the crate and pig for transporting to the vehicle. Stand at a bit of a distance and hold out the pig’s food dish. Then, placing it inside the crate from the far end, encourage the pig by having him or her watch you putting food in his or her dish. This should entice the pig to enter the crate, to reach the food. Once the pig is in the crate, secure the rear door.

Of course, your pig crate will be uniquely you. You may decorate it any way you see fit. Be sure that there are no loose pieces or decorations that the pig can eat.   Also, do not paint your crate, with the possible exception of the outside rear door, which he or she cannot reach, as the pig may also chew on the paint.

That’s one way to move a pig. Do you have another way?

Happy Homesteading,

T.

P.S. Please note that we move American Guinea Hogs. They are much smaller than regular pigs, like say, “Babe”.    I’m sure it would be difficult to lift a regular pig in our pig crate…even for four people. How much did the Ark of the Covenant weigh…?