Pig-Raising Basics: How to Transport Pigs
Transport pigs safely and comfortably.
Reading Time: 3 minutes
An essential aspect of pig-raising basics is learning how to transport pigs to their new home. Ensure they have the proper pig space requirements and setup during and after transport.
by Jodi Cronauer
The time has come to pick up your new pigs. It’s an exciting time but can also be a bit overwhelming and confusing. Having a place already prepared for their arrival is going to make the transition easier.
Pig Space Requirements
Some crucial factors to consider and have prepared ahead of time are:
- Do you have the right type of fencing for the breed and age of the pigs you’re getting?
Knowing what works best for the breed you’re getting is important.
If your fence is electric, make sure it’s running hot and you’ve checked the strength of the current.
- Is there a quality, dry shelter that will provide shade and protection from inclement weather?
- Do you have bedding for the shelter?
Wood chips are great during the summer and help cut back on mud, but straw has more loft, which makes it the best overall for keeping pigs warm in cold or windy conditions.
- Do you have a good, secure water source that is easily accessible and allows the pigs to get an adequate drink when needed?
- Did you get the best feed suited for the breed and do you know which feeding method to use?
Pasture-raised pigs and confinement pigs have different feed and mineral requirements and even different breeds within those two groups can have distinct needs. Understanding those and being prepared is essential.
Talking to the breeder you’re purchasing your new pigs from should be an important part of your initial preparations. Discuss what’s working and not working for them to help you establish your own farm plan.
The next step is to bring them home!
How to Transport Pigs
Now that you’re prepared for their arrival, let’s discuss what you need to have when you pick them up.
- Will they need a trailer, or are they small enough to fit in a crate? If you’re able to use a crate, make sure it’s sturdy and has a door that latches securely.
- Do you have the proper bedding for your crate or the trailer?
Pine shavings or wood chips tend to blow around during travel and can cause respiratory problems if ingested. Straw is again the best overall option. It prevents slipping on plastic crates, gives warmth if needed, and is good at keeping the excrement from creating a mess. Blankets or towels tend to just slip around in crates while traveling.
How long the trip will take will determine whether you need to have water or feed available. Traveling only a few hours means you don’t need anything additional, as the pigs will simply lay down and sleep through the trip home. Extended travel may require water and feed. Preparation ahead of time is going to make the entire pick up and arrival home go smoothly and efficiently.
Once you’ve picked up your pigs, it’s best to drive straight home and get them settled in their new home as quickly as possible.
Getting a proper place set up and prepared for your pigs prior to their arrival and having the best possible set up to haul them home is extremely important for the transition to go smoothly. This will make the entire process more enjoyable while setting you and your pigs up for success.
Jodi Cronauer lives in Wisconsin with her husband and her three sons. They raise Idaho Pasture pigs, Kunekune pigs, and American bison as well as Gypsy Vanner horses. The meat from their pigs and bison is rich in essential nutrients because they eat grass as their primary diet. Jodi is the author of Raising Pigs on Green Pastures (Dorrance Publishing, 2021). https://shop.iamcountryside.com/products/raising-pigs-on-green-pastures
Originally published in the March/April 2025 issue of Countryside and Small Stock Journal and regularly vetted for accuracy.
