Barn sour pigs

[TSJ]

Our kids have four pigs and generally exercise two at a time. Two of them drive fairly well but have started running back to their pen about half way through the walk. The other two are difficult to even get 10 feet from their pen. They constantly try to turn and run back. The pigs get mad and hot quickly. We've tried marshmellows, taking water, and changing the route we take them on. We have tried being aggressive and being calm with them. Nothing has seemed to work so far. Any suggestions will help!

[Gilbertowner]

Are they walking on ground, pea gravel or cement?

What time of day are you walking them?

Can they get some turn out time without being walked?

Son had one like that and we ended up walking him to his feed.

[TSJ]

We walk them on dirt and grass. We walk mornings and evening when it's cooler. Good ideas...I think we will try some turn out time and walking to some feed. Thanks.

[GoldenDoodle]

Try walking all 4 of them at a time.

[SV]

Try all 4 like suggested a time or two. Then, try one that doesn't want to leave with one that runs.

[IndianaMom]

Your pigs sound like me. If you find me on a hiking trail you will know someone killed me and dumped my body there.

We have had pigs like that and you just have to keep after them. One's that are really contrary we leave for my son in law to break them of their bad habit. You can't let them get away with it. Repetition and more repetition. You must be the one that decides when you are ready for them to go back to the pen.

Good luck

[Kathy]

I agree with just turning them out without walking them. That can work wonders especially if you can turn them all out together. Once you do that a couple times, then go try working with them. You work one or two at a time while leaving the other 2 or 3 out. Eventually you should be able to get them to working individually.

[Gilbertowner]

When I have extra kids at the house, well turn the pigs out and then the kids take a bag of bread (a piece) or box of ceral and have the pigs run back and forth between the kids like a four legged tag. But then again my son or I get into their pen and play with their feed while they eat. No hard bites when the kids give them a piece of ceral.

Yesterday in the PM. Son went to turn out his crew right before we started to get a mist. The sow lead the charge and when she noticed that they were all out, she walked herself back into the pen and shut the gate. Man it was a pain in the butt trying to get them back in because she kept on shutting the gate in their face. They are way smarter then what we give them credit with.

[BlueButtgirl]

My gilt does the same thing. I have a friend who litteraly wins or gets 2nd every year in showmanship, and she said they'll grow out of it. She also said to be firm with them. Don't get them near the gate/pen. Really watch them, and if you can tell they're thinking about it, tap them in the other direction. Also, if your working outside, do it when it's cool out. It's like 80 degrees here in central Ohio, so I try to work with them at 7:00 a.m. Actually I have to go do that now. My pigs get cranky when it's hot out!