# Swine Handling Facility Design for Safe Pig Movement ## Key Takeaways - Pig handling facilities must leverage pig vision by ensuring handlers are visible and the path ahead is clear, utilizing the pig's nearly 310-degree field of vision while accounting for a blind spot directly behind them. - Movement is facilitated by directing pigs from darker areas toward lighter areas, with solid-sided chutes and alleys essential to minimize visual distractions and prevent balking. - Chute width is critical; for market-weight pigs, chutes should be 18-20 inches wide to prevent turning, while curved chutes are superior to straight ones by preventing pigs from seeing the exit and turning back. - Non-slip flooring, achieved through grooving or textured surfaces, is mandatory to prevent panic and injury, as pigs are highly susceptible to falls on slick surfaces. - Electric prods should be a last resort, reserved for stubborn animals posing a safety risk, with sorting boards, paddles, and flags being the preferred tools for encouraging movement. - Facility design should prioritize a single handler to prevent confusion and pressure, with sorting gates and holding areas planned before construction for optimal flow and reduced stress. --- Moving pigs is one of the most frequent and most dangerous jobs on a swine operation. Every time you move a pig from a pen to a trailer, from a sow stall to a farrowing crate, or from a nursery to a grow-finish barn, you are working with an animal that is stronger than you, faster than you, and easily frightened. Poor handling facility design leads to injured pigs, injured people, and pigs that refuse to move. This article explains how to design or retrofit a swine handling facility that works with pig behavior rather than against it. It covers the core principles of pig vision and movement, step-by-step guidance for designing chutes, alleys, and sorting areas, equipment choices, common design mistakes, and how to monitor and improve your system over time. This guide is for farm owners, managers, and employees who move pigs regularly and want a safer, faster, and less stressful system. ## At a Glance - Pigs have nearly 310 degrees of vision but a blind spot directly behind them. Design handling systems so pigs can see the handler and the path ahead. - Pigs move more willingly from dark areas toward lighter areas. Use lighting to encourage forward movement, but avoid glare and harsh shadows. - A single-file chute should be no wider than 18 to 20 inches for market-weight pigs. Wider chutes let pigs turn around. - Solid sides on chutes and alleys block visual distractions and keep pigs focused on the path ahead. - Curved chutes work better than straight chutes because pigs naturally turn back toward where they came from. A curve prevents them from seeing the exit and bolting backward. - Non-slip flooring is mandatory. Pigs panic on slick surfaces and will refuse to move or will injure themselves. - Never use electric prods as a first tool. Use boards, paddles, and flags first. Reserve prods for stubborn animals that pose a safety risk. - One person should handle pigs at a time. Multiple people create confusion and pressure that stops pig movement. - Sort gates and holding areas should be planned before you build. Retrofitting a sorting system is harder and more expensive than building it right the first time. ## Why Pigs Behave the Way They Do Understanding pig behavior is the foundation of good facility design. Pigs are prey animals. Their survival instincts drive everything they do when they feel threatened. A pig that cannot see you, cannot predict your movement, or cannot find an escape route will stop, turn back, or panic. A well-designed facility works with those instincts to keep pigs calm and moving forward. Pig vision is the most important factor in handling facility design. Pigs have eyes on the sides of their heads. This gives them a wide field of view, roughly 310 degrees, but it also creates a blind spot directly behind them. A pig cannot see a handler standing directly behind its rear. When a handler pushes from behind, the pig feels pressure it cannot see or understand. The natural response is to stop or turn around to investigate. This is why pushing pigs from behind is the least effective way to move them. Instead, position yourself at the pig's shoulder or slightly ahead of it. When the pig can see you and the path ahead, it will move forward more readily. Pigs also have poor depth perception and limited ability to focus on distant objects. They rely heavily on contrast and movement to interpret their surroundings. A sudden shadow, a shiny reflection on the floor, a drain grate, or a puddle of water can stop an entire group of pigs. They cannot tell that a shadow is harmless. Their instinct says it could be a predator. This is why solid-sided chutes with even lighting work so well. They remove the visual distractions that cause pigs to balk. Pigs have a strong tendency to return to where they came from. This is called the flight zone and point of balance behavior, but for pigs the practical implication is simple. When a pig is moving down a chute and gets scared, it will try to turn around and go back. A straight chute allows this. The pig sees the open space behind it and bolts. A curved chute blocks that view. The pig cannot see the way back, so it continues forward. This is the single most important design principle in swine handling. Pigs are social animals. They feel safer in groups. A lone pig is more stressed and harder to move than a pair or small group. However, groups of pigs can also pile up and block a chute. The design needs to balance the comfort of group movement with the need for single-file flow at the loading point. Finally, pigs have an excellent sense of smell and hearing. They can hear high-frequency sounds that humans cannot. Sudden loud noises, clanging metal gates, and shouting all frighten pigs. A well-designed facility uses solid materials that muffle sound, and handlers should be trained to work quietly. ## Core Design Principles for [Pig Handling](/knowledge/animal-farming/swine/pig-handling-transport-welfare-best-practices) Facilities Before you lay out a single pen or pour concrete, you need to understand the principles that make a handling system work. These principles apply whether you are building a small finishing barn or a large commercial operation. The first principle is to keep the pig moving forward with minimal pressure. The best handling system is one where pigs move voluntarily because the path looks inviting. This means the pig can see the way ahead, the footing is secure, and there are no distractions. When a pig hesitates, the handler should wait a moment before applying pressure. Most pigs will move on their own if given a few seconds. The second principle is to use the pig's natural turning behavior to your advantage. Because pigs want to turn back toward where they came from, you can design chutes that use this instinct. A curved chute prevents the pig from seeing the exit and turning back. The pig continues forward because it cannot see an escape route behind it. The third principle is to control what the pig sees. Solid sides on chutes and alleys are essential. They block the pig's view of other pigs, people, equipment, and movement outside the handling area. A pig that can see activity through a gate or fence will stop to investigate. Solid sides keep the pig focused on the path ahead. The fourth principle is to provide secure footing. Pigs need traction to feel safe. A pig on a slick concrete floor will slip, panic, and refuse to move. The floor in handling areas should be grooved or textured. The grooves should run in the direction of travel so the pig does not have to step over them. Wet floors are especially dangerous. Design the facility with proper drainage so water does not pool in the handling area. The fifth principle is to use light to guide movement. Pigs move from darker areas toward lighter areas. This is a natural instinct. You can use this to your advantage by making the exit of a chute lighter than the entrance. However, avoid bright lights that create glare or harsh shadows. Pigs will balk at a sudden change in light level. The transition from the barn to the outside loading area needs to be gradual. The sixth principle is to design for one handler. A single person should be able to move pigs through the system. Multiple handlers create confusion and pressure from different directions, which stops pig movement. The facility should have a designated handler position that allows one person to see the entire flow path and apply pressure from the correct angle. ## Planning Your Swine Handling Facility Layout The layout of your handling facility depends on the size of your operation, the type of pigs you move, and the space you have available. However, the same basic components apply to most operations. The handling system starts at the source pens. These are the pens where pigs live before they are moved. The alley that connects the source pens to the handling area should be at least 24 to 30 inches wide for market-weight pigs. This allows pigs to move in a group while still maintaining some order. If the alley is too narrow, pigs will jam. If it is too wide, pigs will spread out and be harder to direct. The alley leads to a gathering area or holding pen. This is a larger space where pigs can be held before sorting. The holding pen should be at least 20 square feet per market-weight pig. It should have solid sides or high fences to prevent pigs from seeing distractions. The holding pen should have a gate that allows you to bring in a small group of pigs at a time, typically 3 to 5 pigs, without letting the whole group escape. From the holding pen, pigs move into the sorting area. This is where you direct pigs to different destinations. A well-designed sorting area uses a series of gates that allow one person to direct pigs without chasing them. The sorting area should be circular or Y-shaped so that pigs can be directed to multiple destinations without turning them around. The sorting area leads to the single-file chute. This is the narrow passage that funnels pigs one at a time to the destination. The chute should be 18 to 20 inches wide for market-weight pigs. It should be long enough to hold several pigs in a line, which creates a natural queue and reduces pressure on the pig at the front. A chute that is 10 to 15 feet long is usually sufficient for most operations. The chute leads to the destination. This could be a trailer, a scale, a treatment chute, or another pen. The transition from the chute to the destination needs to be smooth and well-lit. If you are loading a trailer, the chute should align with the trailer door and the ramp should have a gentle slope. When planning your layout, think about the flow of pigs from start to finish. Pigs should never have to make a sharp turn at the last moment. They should never have to go through a doorway that is narrower than the chute. They should never have to step up or down at the transition point. Every element of the path should be smooth and continuous. ## Building the Single-File Chute for Pigs The single-file chute is the heart of the handling system. This is where pigs are funneled from a group into a line. The design of this chute determines how smoothly your loading and sorting operations go. The width of the chute is critical. For market-weight pigs, the chute should be 18 to 20 inches wide. This is narrow enough that the pig cannot turn around, but wide enough that the pig does not feel squeezed. A chute that is too narrow will cause pigs to panic. A chute that is too wide allows pigs to turn around and try to escape. If you handle sows or boars, you will need a wider chute. Mature sows may need a chute that is 24 to 26 inches wide. Measure your largest animals and build the chute to fit them. The height of the chute walls should be at least 42 to 48 inches for market-weight pigs. This prevents pigs from jumping or climbing out. Sows and boars may need walls that are 54 to 60 inches tall. The walls should be solid. Solid walls block visual distractions and create a calm, focused environment for the pig. If you use vertical bars instead of solid walls, space the bars no more than 4 inches apart so pigs cannot stick their heads through. The floor of the chute needs to be non-slip. Concrete with grooves cut in the direction of travel is the standard choice. The grooves should be about 1/2 inch wide and 1/4 inch deep, spaced 3 to 4 inches apart. This provides secure footing without creating a bumpy surface that slows pigs. If you are retrofitting an existing chute with a smooth floor, you can add epoxy-based non-slip coating or rubber matting. The length of the chute matters. A longer chute creates a queue of pigs waiting to enter the destination. This is good because it means you do not have to chase pigs one at a time. However, a chute that is too long can cause pigs to become impatient and try to turn around. A chute that holds 3 to 5 pigs is usually the right length for most operations. The curve in the chute is a key design feature. A chute that curves gently to one side prevents pigs from seeing the exit and bolting backward. The curve should be gradual, not a sharp turn. A 90-degree turn over a distance of 6 to 8 feet works well. The curve also gives the handler a natural position at the inside of the curve, where they can see the pigs and apply pressure without being in the pig's blind spot. The entrance to the chute needs a gate that allows you to control the flow of pigs. A guillotine gate or a sliding gate works well because it does not swing into the chute and block the path. The gate should be easy to operate with one hand, leaving your other hand free for a sorting board or paddle. ## Designing the Loading Ramp and Trailer Interface The loading ramp is where pigs transition from the barn to the trailer. This is often the most stressful part of the handling process. Pigs can see the change in light, feel the change in footing, and sense the movement of the trailer. A poorly designed loading ramp can undo all the good work of your handling system. The ramp should have a gentle slope. The recommended maximum slope for a pig loading ramp is 20 degrees. Steeper ramps cause pigs to balk and can lead to slips and injuries. If your barn floor is significantly higher than the trailer deck, you may need a longer ramp or a hydraulic lift to reduce the slope. The ramp should be the same width as the chute. This creates a continuous path with no bottlenecks. The transition from the barn floor to the ramp should be flush, with no lip or gap. A gap of even an inch can catch a pig's hoof and cause a fall. The sides of the ramp should be solid and at least 42 inches high. Pigs can see through open-sided ramps and will try to jump out. Solid sides also protect pigs from seeing the ground below, which can be frightening. The ramp surface needs aggressive traction. Loading ramps get wet and slippery. Use expanded metal, rubber belting, or deeply grooved concrete. The surface should be cleaned regularly to remove manure and moisture. Some operations use a cleated rubber surface that provides excellent traction even when wet. The interface between the ramp and the trailer is a common problem point. The gap between the ramp and the trailer deck should be no more than 1 to 2 inches. Any larger gap can catch a pig's hoof. The ramp should be positioned so it is level with the trailer deck, not angled up or down. If your trailers vary in deck height, consider a hydraulic lift or an adjustable ramp. Lighting at the loading area needs special attention. The trailer interior is often dark, which makes pigs hesitate at the entrance. Provide lighting inside the trailer during loading. This can be as simple as a battery-powered work light or as elaborate as a permanent lighting system. The light should be even and not create glare at the ramp entrance. The loading area should have a weather protection element. Rain, snow, and wind all make pigs reluctant to load. A roof over the loading area and windbreaks on the sides can reduce stress and keep the ramp dry. This is especially important in cold climates where wet ramps can freeze. ## Sorting Pens and Holding Areas Sorting is one of the most common handling tasks on a swine farm. You sort pigs when you wean, when you move animals to different pens by size, when you select breeding stock, and when you ship to market. A well-designed sorting system saves hours of labor and reduces stress on pigs and people. The sorting area should be located between the source pens and the destination. It should be a circular or Y-shaped area that allows pigs to be directed to multiple destinations without turning them around. The key is that pigs should never have to make a 180-degree turn. Once a pig is moving in a direction, it should be able to continue in that direction to its destination. A circular sorting pen is the most efficient design. The circle has a central handling area where the handler stands. Gates radiate from the center to direct pigs to different exits. The pig enters the circle from the source pen, and the handler uses a gate to direct it to the correct exit. The pig naturally follows the curve of the circle and exits without needing to turn around. If a circular design is not possible, a Y-shaped sorting area is a good alternative. The pig enters at the base of the Y and the handler uses a gate to direct it to the left or right branch. Each branch leads to a different destination. The angle between the branches should be 30 to 45 degrees, not 90 degrees. A wider angle makes it harder for the pig to see the destination and easier for the pig to balk. The sorting area should have solid walls or high fences. Pigs in the sorting area should not be able to see pigs in the holding area or the source pens. This prevents excitement and keeps pigs focused on the task. The walls should be at least 42 inches high for market pigs. The holding area is where pigs wait before they are sorted. This area should be large enough to hold a full group of pigs without crowding. Each pig needs at least 8 to 10 square feet of space in a holding pen. The holding pen should have a water source if pigs will be held for more than 30 minutes. The gates in the sorting area should be easy to operate with one hand. A gate that requires two hands or significant strength to move will slow you down and create gaps that pigs can escape through. Use lightweight materials for gates, such as aluminum or plastic, and make sure the hinges are well-maintained. ## [Swine Handling Equipment](/knowledge/animal-farming/swine/swine-handling-equipment-tools-for-safe-and-low-stress-pig-movement) and Tools The right equipment makes handling easier and safer. The wrong equipment causes stress and injury. Here is a rundown of the essential tools for a swine handling facility. Sorting boards are the most important tool. A sorting board is a solid panel, usually made of plastic or wood, that you hold between yourself and the pig. It blocks the pig's view of you and provides a visual barrier that encourages the pig to move in the direction you want. A sorting board should be about 3 feet wide and 4 feet tall for market pigs. It should have a handle on the back so you can hold it with one hand. Some sorting boards are hinged in the middle so they can be folded for storage. Paddles are a lighter alternative to sorting boards. A paddle is a flat panel about 12 inches wide and 24 inches long, mounted on a handle. You use a paddle by waving it gently in the pig's field of vision to encourage movement. A paddle is less intimidating than a board and is useful for moving pigs that are already calm. Flags are useful for directing pigs from a distance. A flag is a small piece of plastic or fabric on a long handle. You wave it in the pig's field of vision to encourage movement. Flags are especially useful in larger pens where you cannot reach the pig with a sorting board. Pig paddles with a slapper end are a step up from a plain paddle. These have a flat paddle on one end and a slapper on the other. The slapper makes a loud noise when you hit it against your hand or the wall. The noise encourages pigs to move without physical contact. Use the slapper sparingly, as pigs can become accustomed to the noise. Electric prods should be a last resort. An electric prod delivers a shock that causes pain and fear. Pigs that have been shocked are more difficult to handle in the future. They become wary and reactive. Use an electric prod only when a pig is refusing to move and poses a safety risk to the handler or other pigs. If you use a prod, use it on the rear of the pig, apply it for the shortest possible time, and never use it on the head, face, or genitals. Non-slip boots are essential for the handler. You cannot move pigs confidently if you are worried about slipping. Invest in good quality rubber boots with aggressive treads. The boots should be waterproof and easy to clean. A good quality flashlight or headlamp is useful for loading trailers and for working in dark areas. The light helps you see the pigs and helps the pigs see the path ahead. ## Step-by-Step Guide to Moving Pigs Through the Facility Moving pigs is a skill that improves with practice. Here is a step-by-step process for moving pigs through a well-designed handling facility. Start by preparing the facility. Close all gates that should be closed and open all gates that should be open. Make sure the path from the source pen to the destination is clear. Check the flooring for wet spots or debris. Turn on the lights in the chute and at the destination. If you are loading a trailer, position the trailer and secure it to the ramp. Next, gather the pigs. Enter the source pen quietly. Do not shout or make sudden movements. Move slowly toward the pigs, using a sorting board to guide them toward the gate. Work with a small group of 3 to 5 pigs at a time. Trying to move a large group at once causes crowding and panic. Once the group is in the alley, position yourself at the rear of the group, slightly to one side. You want the pigs to see you but not feel chased. Walk at a steady pace behind the group. If a pig stops, stop too. Give the pig a few seconds to decide to move. Most pigs will move on their own if you are patient. When the pigs reach the holding pen, close the gate behind them. Sort the pigs into smaller groups as needed. If you are sorting, use the gates in the sorting area to direct each pig to its destination. Remember to work from the pig's shoulder, not from behind. When you are moving a single pig down the chute, position yourself at the pig's shoulder on the outside of the curve. This position lets you see the pig and apply pressure without being in its blind spot. If the pig stops, wait. Do not push. If the pig needs encouragement, tap it gently on the rear with a paddle or use a sorting board to block its view of the way back. At the destination, make sure the transition is smooth. If you are loading a trailer, the pig should step directly from the chute onto the trailer deck with no gap and no step up or down. If the pig hesitates at the trailer entrance, check the lighting. A dark trailer interior is the most common reason pigs refuse to load. After the pigs are moved, clean the facility. Remove manure and debris from the chute and sorting area. Hose down the floors and allow them to dry. Check the gates and latches for damage. A well-maintained facility is a safe facility. ## Common Mistakes in Swine Handling Facility Design Many swine handling facilities have design flaws that make pig movement harder than it needs to be. Here are the most common mistakes and how to avoid them. The most common mistake is building chutes and alleys too wide. A chute that is 30 inches wide instead of 20 inches allows pigs to turn around. Once a pig turns around, it will try to go back to where it came from. This stops the flow and requires the handler to physically turn the pig, which is dangerous. Measure your chutes and alleys and narrow them if needed. Another common mistake is using open-sided chutes. Pigs can see through vertical bars and become distracted by activity outside the chute. They stop to investigate, and the flow stops. Solid sides are essential for calm, efficient pig movement. If your chute has open sides, you can retrofit solid panels to block the view. Poor lighting is a frequent problem. Pigs balk at sudden changes in light level, glare, and shadows. A chute that is dark at the entrance and bright at the exit creates a stressful transition. The lighting should be even throughout the handling area. Avoid placing lights where they shine directly into the eyes of approaching pigs. Slippery floors are a major safety hazard. Pigs panic when they slip, and a panicked pig can injure itself and the handler. Grooved concrete is the standard for handling areas. If your floors are smooth, add non-slip coating or rubber matting. Sharp corners and right-angle turns are a common design flaw. Pigs cannot make sharp turns easily. A 90-degree turn in a chute causes pigs to balk and requires extra pressure from the handler. Design chutes with gentle curves instead of sharp turns. Loading ramps that are too steep are a serious problem. A ramp that is steeper than 20 degrees will cause pigs to refuse to climb. They will turn around and try to go back. The solution is a longer ramp or a hydraulic lift. Inadequate holding space is another mistake. If the holding pen is too small, pigs are crowded and stressed. They enter the handling system already agitated. Provide at least 8 to 10 square feet per market pig in holding areas. Finally, many facilities are designed without considering the handler. The handler needs a clear position where they can see the pigs and apply pressure from the correct angle. If the handler has to stand in awkward positions or reach over fences, the handling process will be inefficient and unsafe. ## Decision Thresholds for Facility Upgrades Knowing when to upgrade your handling facility can save you time, money, and injuries. Here are some decision thresholds to consider. If you are spending more than 30 seconds per pig on average to move pigs from pen to trailer, your facility is inefficient. A well-designed system should allow you to move a pig through the chute and into the trailer in 10 to 15 seconds. If you are consistently slower than this, look for bottlenecks in your system. If you are using an electric prod on more than 5 percent of pigs, your facility has a design problem. A good handling system should allow most pigs to move with minimal pressure. Frequent prod use is a sign that pigs are balking because of something in the facility design. If you are seeing injuries during handling, whether to pigs or people, take immediate action. Injuries indicate a serious safety problem. Common injury causes include slippery floors, sharp edges on gates, and chutes that are too narrow. Identify the cause and fix it before continuing to use the facility. If you are moving pigs more than once a week, invest in a permanent handling system. Temporary setups with portable panels are tiring to assemble and disassemble, and they are often less safe than permanent installations. If you are expanding your operation, build the handling facility to handle the larger flow. It is much cheaper to build a properly sized facility now than to retrofit later. If your pigs are losing weight or showing signs of stress during the handling period, evaluate your facility and procedures. Chronic stress affects growth and immune function. A calmer handling system will pay for itself in improved performance. ## Monitoring and Recordkeeping for Handling Performance Monitoring your handling system helps you identify problems before they become serious. Keep simple records that track handling time, injuries, and pig behavior. Track the time it takes to load a trailer or sort a group of pigs. Record the number of pigs moved and the time spent. Over time, you will see patterns. If loading times are increasing, something in the facility has changed or deteriorated. Record any injuries that occur during handling. Note the type of injury, the location in the facility where it happened, and the likely cause. This information helps you identify dangerous areas that need modification. Keep a record of pig behavior. Note how often pigs balk at specific points in the facility. If pigs consistently hesitate at the same spot, there is a design problem at that location. Common problem spots include the transition from the barn to the ramp, the entrance to the trailer, and any point where the lighting changes. Use a simple log sheet that you can fill out after each handling session. The log should include the date, the task, the number of pigs moved, the time required, and any problems encountered. Review these logs monthly to identify trends. Also track handler safety. Note any near misses or close calls. These are warnings that a serious injury is possible. Address the cause of the near miss before someone gets hurt. ## When to Call a Veterinarian or Extension Agent Most handling facility problems can be solved with design changes and better procedures. However, there are times when professional help is warranted. If you are seeing a high rate of injuries during handling, call your veterinarian. They can assess whether the injuries are related to facility design, handler technique, or pig health. Pigs that are lame, weak, or unwell are harder to handle and more prone to injury. Your veterinarian can help you identify underlying health issues. If pigs are refusing to move despite a well-designed facility and calm handling, there may be a health issue. Sick pigs are lethargic and reluctant to move. Your veterinarian can help you rule out disease and recommend appropriate treatment. If you are planning a major facility renovation or new construction, consult with an extension agent or agricultural engineer. They can review your plans and help you avoid costly design mistakes. Many land-grant universities have extension specialists who can provide free or low-cost design advice. If you are experiencing regulatory issues related to handling, such as an inspection finding, contact your state veterinarian or USDA APHIS. They can help you understand the requirements and bring your facility into compliance. ## Frequently Asked Questions **How wide should a pig chute be?** A single-file chute for market-weight pigs should be 18 to 20 inches wide. This is narrow enough to prevent the pig from turning around but wide enough that the pig does not feel squeezed. For mature sows and boars, increase the width to 24 to 26 inches. Measure your largest animals before building the chute. **Why do pigs stop and refuse to move in the chute?** Pigs stop for several reasons. They may see a distraction through an open-sided chute. They may be facing a sudden change in light level. They may feel insecure on a slippery floor. They may have a blind spot issue where they cannot see the handler and do not know what is behind them. Check the lighting, flooring, and visibility at the point where pigs stop. Most balking is caused by a design issue that can be fixed. **Should I use an electric prod to move pigs?** Electric prods should be a last resort. They cause pain and fear, and pigs that have been shocked become harder to handle in the future. Use sorting boards, paddles, and flags first. If you must use a prod, use it on the rear of the pig for the shortest possible time. Never use a prod on the head, face, or genitals. If you are using a prod on more than 5 percent of pigs, your facility design needs improvement. **How steep can a pig loading ramp be?** The recommended maximum slope for a pig loading ramp is 20 degrees. Steeper ramps cause pigs to balk and increase the risk of slips and falls. If your barn floor is higher than the trailer deck, use a longer ramp or a hydraulic lift to reduce the slope. **What is the best flooring for a pig handling facility?** Grooved concrete is the standard choice for pig handling facilities. The grooves should be about 1/2 inch wide and 1/4 inch deep, spaced 3 to 4 inches apart, and cut in the direction of travel. This provides secure footing without creating a bumpy surface. For loading ramps, consider expanded metal or rubber belting for additional traction. **How many pigs should I move at one time?** Move small groups of 3 to 5 pigs at a time. A small group is easier to control and less stressful for the pigs than a large group. Moving pigs one at a time is more stressful for the individual pig and takes longer. Moving large groups causes crowding and panic. **Why do pigs turn around in my straight chute?** Pigs naturally want to return to where they came from. In a straight chute, a pig can see the open space behind it and will try to bolt back. A curved chute blocks this view and encourages the pig to continue forward. If you have a straight chute, you can retrofit it with a curve or install a guillotine gate behind each pig to prevent turning. **Do I need solid sides on my chute?** Yes. Solid sides are essential for calm pig movement. They block visual distractions that cause pigs to stop and investigate. Pigs can see activity through open-sided chutes and will balk. If your chute has open sides, install solid panels to block the view. ## Related Farming Guides This section will be populated with links to related farming guides on swine handling, pig behavior, and facility design. Check back for additional resources on low-stress livestock handling, loading techniques, and swine health management. ## Related Clinical & Scientific Guides * [Pig Enrichment Programs and Behavior Monitoring](/knowledge/animal-farming/swine/pig-enrichment-programs-and-behavior-monitoring) * [Swine Feeding Management for Grow-Finish Pigs](/knowledge/animal-farming/swine/swine-feeding-management-for-grow-finish-pigs) * [Pig Farm Cost of Production Records](/knowledge/animal-farming/swine/pig-farm-cost-of-production-records) ## References - National Pork Board: https://www.pork.org/ - USDA APHIS Swine Health: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/swine - FAO Pig Production: https://www.fao.org/pig-production-and-products/en/ - FAO Animal Production and Health: https://www.fao.org/animal-production/en/ - WOAH (World Organisation for Animal Health): https://www.woah.org/en/home/ > This article is educational and is not a substitute for veterinary diagnosis, treatment, public-health guidance, or regulatory reporting.