The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: Womble on April 08, 2017, 09:17:56 am

Title: Pig Sweat
Post by: Womble on April 08, 2017, 09:17:56 am
Good people of TAS - could you help me to settle a pub argument please?  :idea:

Do pigs sweat like pigs?  :thinking:
Title: Re: Pig Sweat
Post by: Marches Farmer on April 08, 2017, 02:36:04 pm
Pigs don't sweat.  That's why they need a wallow.
Title: Re: Pig Sweat
Post by: Eve on April 08, 2017, 07:35:04 pm
Except from the tip of their snout  :pig:
Title: Re: Pig Sweat
Post by: Womble on April 08, 2017, 11:42:47 pm
Seriously?  That's amazing!  :thumbsup:

I told my friend that I'd never seen a pig sweat before, and he said they must do, or else where did the phrase "sweating like a pig" come from?

And actually, don't you think that's a very good point?
Title: Re: Pig Sweat
Post by: Eve on April 09, 2017, 11:37:10 am
Ah, but where I grew up you sweat like a horse!  :D  And hens do have some saw-like things in their beaks I would refer to as teeth  :)


They do honestly sweat at the tip of their nose, though, just on the flat bit where the nostrils are. Seen it myself - felt it, too  :D
Title: Re: Pig Sweat
Post by: big soft moose on April 09, 2017, 09:45:58 pm
ladies glow, men perspire, and horses sweat

Title: Re: Pig Sweat
Post by: Possum on April 09, 2017, 10:00:32 pm
I'm sure that I've been told that "sweating like a pig" is something to do with pig iron. But I can't remember why. :dunce:  Has anyone else heard something similar?
Title: Re: Pig Sweat
Post by: Womble on April 09, 2017, 10:25:17 pm
Aha! (https://www.quora.com/Proverbs-Sayings-and-Adages-Where-did-the-saying-Sweating-like-a-Dog-come-from-since-dogs-are-physically-not-able-to-sweat)

Quote
The original expression "sweat like a pig" allegedly comes from smelting pig iron (which sweats as it cools). Pig iron, by the way, is so named because it's shaped in molds that branch off like piglets suckling on a sow.

It never even occurred to me that the phrase might not actually be referring to porcine pigs. Thanks for clearing that up, Possum!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Pig Sweat
Post by: greenbeast on April 10, 2017, 10:11:19 pm
I'm sure that I've been told that "sweating like a pig" is something to do with pig iron. But I can't remember why. :dunce:  Has anyone else heard something similar?

hmm possibly because back in the days of pig iron it would have been bl**dy hard work!
Title: Re: Pig Sweat
Post by: waterbuffalofarmer on April 11, 2017, 09:58:03 am
This is what I found on the subject...

https://www.google.co.uk/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=do+pigs+sweat+wikipedia (https://www.google.co.uk/webhp?sourceid=chrome-instant&ion=1&espv=2&ie=UTF-8#q=do+pigs+sweat+wikipedia)
Pigs do have a few sweat glands, but they're not very useful for temperature adjustment. When the mercury rises on the farm, Wilber wallows in cool water or mud, which has the same evaporation effect as sweating.
Title: Re: Pig Sweat
Post by: Eve on April 11, 2017, 10:47:55 am
When the mercury rises on the farm, Wilber wallows in cool water or mud, which has the same evaporation effect as sweating.


And acts as a sunscreen. Don't know what factor, though  ;)


My pigs used to wee in their paddling pool and wallows before lying down in it. Yep, smelled real nice...  :yuck:



Title: Re: Pig Sweat
Post by: DartmoorLiz on April 13, 2017, 08:37:31 pm

My pigs used to wee in their paddling pool and wallows before lying down in it. Yep, smelled real nice...  :yuck:


urea is an active ingredient in many creams (especially heel crack cream) so perhaps they are doing it deliberately as a skin conditioner
Title: Re: Pig Sweat
Post by: greenbeast on April 13, 2017, 09:07:10 pm
when i see pigs in deep sloppy wallows in hot weather i'm a bit envious, weirdly.
Title: Re: Pig Sweat
Post by: DartmoorLiz on April 16, 2017, 10:54:47 am
Thoughts of a wet Glastonbury Festival come to mind