[Sylvia]

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.

[chickenfeed]

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.

[Sylvia]

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.

[princesspiggy]

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?

[knight_family]

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

[Bobforrangerpigs]

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.

[knight_family]

Bob

thanks for the help any chance of some pictures of the ark ??

[knight_family]

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

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!!!

[harry]

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.

[ZacB]

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

[princesspiggy]

it is possible to buy the side gates and attach them to a pony trailer - would that make it legal then?

[robert waddell]

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

[oaklandspigs]

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!

[HappyHippy]

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...... 
I've got a metal, double bed base  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

[knight_family]

Sounds intresting.... Pictures would be nice when done

Thanks