The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: knight_family on April 09, 2012, 08:27:23 pm
-
Hi,
I'm currently looking into getting a small number of pigs either this year or start of next. But I always try and do my homework to understand whats needed etc.
So I've got a question if any way anyone can answer, which is....
Thinking of the means of transport at the end what is the best / cost effective way of doing it. what I mean from that is I've looked into pig / livestock trailers but they don't seam to be very cheap might as well buy a new one. Is there any other options.
Thanks in advance
-
we use our pony trailer, not perfect as no side ramps but kills 2 birds!
-
second hand trailers are getting dearer especially the small ifor Williams p6e which can also be used on the back of a quad
horse trailers are not strictly legal they don't have side gates for the ramp and some places will turn you away even with makeshift side gates escapes being the main reason :farmer:
-
our abattoir has a concrete ramp and side rails so it works for us as we can get right up close and there is hardly an incline at all. :D
-
Thanks Robert thats my isuse at the moment, looking at the p6e they are very expensive new and used! Looks like I need to find a hire place but trouble is cannot find anywhere yet.
I'll keep looking.
-
ifor williams are good for resale tho, u dont lose much.
-
it all depends on what you want we have two trailers a DP 120 and a DP6 or is it a seven anyway on a run to England when diesel was cheaper the small trailer saved £60 of fuel compared to the big one but it is only good for 3 show pigs i bought my DP6e as an accident damaged one with all parts to repair half a day and good as new with a huge price saving and the DP6e can be towed with a saloon car saving even more money
your call :farmer:
-
our abattoir has a concrete ramp and side rails so it works for us as we can get right up close and there is hardly an incline at all. :D
TS held every one up in one of our slaughter houses while they read the riot act to a chap with no loading gates even though the slaughter house hade wrap around gates they explained to him he must have loading gates to ensure both safe loading and unloading for the animals. he left rather red faced after TS had finished showing him where it states they are now a legal requirement. with more and more spot checks going on its worth getting the right equipment when starting out
-
You could ask the breeder who you buy your weaners, or intend to buy your weaners from, they may know of somewhere locally to hire a trailer. Or may hire one out themselves.
-
I have a single axle trailer with no side gates and never any trouble at the abbatoir :) I dare say it depends on the abbatoir.
-
Thanks Robert thats my isuse at the moment, looking at the p6e they are very expensive new and used! Looks like I need to find a hire place but trouble is cannot find anywhere yet.
I'll keep looking.
http://www.thomastrailerhire.co.uk/1806.html (http://www.thomastrailerhire.co.uk/1806.html)
They are an hour away from you, but £50 hiore vs. £1,000 for a new one makes hiring twice a year worth thinking about.
-
If you can buy a new one you can hire it out and recoup your outlay ;)
-
I have a single axle trailer with no side gates and never any trouble at the abbatoir :) I dare say it depends on the abbatoir.
Sylvia,
Dpends on a) the State Vetinery Service (SVS), b) an inspection by Trading Standards and c) The abattoir.
Any one of these can turn you away
Or worse still do the first two can do you under the Welfare of Animals Transport Order 2007, and even condemn your pig(s). Unlikely, but can happen.
-
all this is looking like I need to find a Livestock trailer to hire and keep looking out for a trailer with cattle sides.
Is hire of livestock trailers common? If so anyone has an idea of price?
-
W e have a mobile butcher/ farmer who when the time comes is willing to collect, take to slaughter and butcher our sheep for us. He does the same for a number of smallholders around here.
Maybe there is someone local to you who offers the same service?
-
You could maybe get the borrow of one. I'm always willing to lend mine, it stands for most of it's life doing nothing.
-
I have a single axle trailer with no side gates and never any trouble at the abbatoir :) I dare say it depends on the abbatoir.
Sylvia,
Dpends on a) the State Vetinery Service (SVS), b) an inspection by Trading Standards and c) The abattoir.
Any one of these can turn you away
Or worse still do the first two can do you under the Welfare of Animals Transport Order 2007, and even condemn your pig(s). Unlikely, but can happen.
its the SVS & TS that are inspecting every trailer around here before the tailgate is lowered no gates no slaughter.
i also heard of a couple turned away by TS when they turned up to a show with no loading gates.
-
I back up to the unloading bay, sturdy gates either side of the trailer and a guy to hand with a pig board. I've never seen a problem.
Sheep now, I could understand them getting panicky and making a break for freedom but I've never had a problem with them either, not with the gates at either side of the trailer.
-
Dpends on a) the State Vetinery Service (SVS), b) an inspection by Trading Standards and c) The abattoir.
Any one of these can turn you away
Or worse still do the first two can do you under the Welfare of Animals Transport Order 2007, and even condemn your pig(s). Unlikely, but can happen.
does that include showing pigs?
-
I have a single axle trailer with no side gates and never any trouble at the abbatoir :) I dare say it depends on the abbatoir.
Sylvia,
Dpends on a) the State Vetinery Service (SVS), b) an inspection by Trading Standards and c) The abattoir.
Any one of these can turn you away
Or worse still do the first two can do you under the Welfare of Animals Transport Order 2007, and even condemn your pig(s). Unlikely, but can happen.
its the SVS & TS that are inspecting every trailer around here before the tailgate is lowered no gates no slaughter.
i also heard of a couple turned away by TS when they turned up to a show with no loading gates.
Well now I have more to worry about than just the pig welfare!!! Chickens are so easy compared!!!
Good job I love pigs and Pork plus a challenge
-
Good Morning The best and only way I've found to transport the small number of pigs (assuming these are for slaughter at 60-70Kgs) is to buy, despite the cost, of an Ifor Williams P8 livestock trailer these are big enough to take 7-8 pigs. I've actually had 27 weaners in at one time. Yet when empty easily handled, having a single axle and fairly light but very robust.
-
Bob
thanks for the help any chance of some pictures of the ark ??
-
Thanks Robert thats my isuse at the moment, looking at the p6e they are very expensive new and used! Looks like I need to find a hire place but trouble is cannot find anywhere yet.
I'll keep looking.
http://www.thomastrailerhire.co.uk/1806.html (http://www.thomastrailerhire.co.uk/1806.html)
They are an hour away from you, but £50 hiore vs. £1,000 for a new one makes hiring twice a year worth thinking about.
Great many thanks!!!
-
i got a nice smallish livestock trailer with side gates.. off ebay £200... the pigs live in it ie no pig ark to buy, just cut a piece of wood where the trailer door opens or use the small side door to keep it cosy... so facter in the price of a pig shelter when buying a used trailer.
-
Are there any smallholder associations local to you ?
If so you may find members willing to help out fellow members with trailer hire / loan etc
Best of luck
-
it is possible to buy the side gates and attach them to a pony trailer - would that make it legal then?
-
that would be an expensive way to go pallets /sheep hurdles are to rigid you end up with gaps at one end
wooden ones are better it will depend on your ability at DIY but look at others first before cutting and drilling
the proper gates are made to fit the length of the ramp plus the width of the trailer have fun :farmer:
-
it is possible to buy the side gates and attach them to a pony trailer - would that make it legal then?
These are called "lateral protections" in EU parlance under EU regulation 1/2005 chapter 3 (1) (c)! . Technically the trailer must have barriers to prevent falling when loading and unloading, and these must be able to "withstand the stresses of movements"
Yes most trailer shops can get you side gates that will just screw or bolt to the trailer
Homemade is also fine, as long as they are strong enough!
-
One of mine & Bruces (many) projects is building our own trailer ;)
We've got the base (the one I swapped the guitar for) 2 Ifor Williams canopies off of Landrovers to make the roof (which will be removable if we need to use it for 'other' things ;)) and for the side/loading gates...... ;D
I've got a metal, double bed base :thumbsup: Sounds bizarre I know, but the way it's constructed I was able to cut it in half with the grinder and it moves the way side gates do (up and down, but held by bolts so it's not loose) We've almost got all the bits to let us actually put it together, but I'll try and get some photo's of it for you Julia - might be a quick, cheap solution - I'll let you see it if we get it finished in time for Lesmahagow show ;)
-
Sounds intresting.... Pictures would be nice when done
Thanks
-
Good Morning The best and only way I've found to transport the small number of pigs (assuming these are for slaughter at 60-70Kgs) is to buy, despite the cost, of an Ifor Williams P8 livestock trailer these are big enough to take 7-8 pigs. I've actually had 27 weaners in at one time. Yet when empty easily handled, having a single axle and fairly light but very robust.
I would agree with Bob here we bought one of these last year and it is so easy to handle, before that we borrowed a trailer, sometimes the lights didn't work or a brake would get stuck on, at least with our own we know that it is both legal and safe.