Keeping pigs still during weigh ins

[scott4h]

Hi:

Im an new 4h swine leader. Whats a good way to keep a pig to stand still when on scale. I have a livestock scale that will average the weight when moving around but I would much rather have a more accurate weight from them standing still.

[Norm]

Most livestock scales are set up for weighing animals in real time. Digital scales it is called the damper. Basically takes into account for movement. Beam and dial scales you just have to let them calm down and not be in a hurry. What type of scale do you have?

[mjw1980]

If you are not against giving them a treat then give them a marshmallow when they get on the scale. Keep it right in front of their nose for a second then give it to them. That works for our pigs and we can get an accurate weight.

[torf]

At weigh ins you can tell the pigs that go through the scale on a regular basis vs the ones that were taken out of the pen and loaded on the trailer. Sometime a pig an get freaked but generally if the kids have worked with them a lot they are much calmer going through scales.

[eucathepig]

If it was me I put down an apple slice or marshmallow for them to snack on. You could also put down a little bit of feed. They will be focused on that while you weigh them.