[docsal]

Just wanted to thank Rosemary, Dan and everyone here for all the useful tips and advice.

Took our first batch of porkers to the abattoir yesterday. I was really quite uptight but all the wisdom and advice I gleaned here really paid off......

I asked the staff if I could have a few minutes without strangers around, to try and get them out of the trailer, up the ramp and into the pen by myself. The boys were still asleep when I opened the trailer but a few calls to them, a rattle of the food bucket and they trotted happily behind me up the ramp and straight into the pen. The slaughterman suggested I let them have a few of the sow nuts as a treat and they were munching happily together, seeming quite relaxed. Within a few minutes the 'deed was done'. As calm an ending as I could have hoped for them....

Thanks to all again.

Sally