Sanctuary  Essentials

Things we have found that we couldn't live without...

You can make many of these items yourself or find them on the internet.. links provided below

note: At the Nasco site select the Farm and Ranch section, not the agricultural section..

The piggy pusher board (sorter)

1. We make one that we like very much out of heavy duty canvas and PVC pipe. It is  light to work with, piggies can't hurt themselves on it, easy to wash up, and will hold a 400 pound boar in a corner for a shot ( done that !)

It doubles as a stretcher for when we have surgeries here and have to move an unconscious pig from surgery to recovery. Much more secure than a hard board that he can slip off;  safer than carrying by his legs which can injure him.

Newest version (not shown) has foot and hand holds cut out and reinforced to better hold a pushing piggy.

    About 18 X 36 inches     costs about $20 to make.. Stitch it with non rotting thread!!

2. Commercial plastic versions:   www.enasco.com/prod/Home   1-800-558-9595

    A. 18 X 30   about $20

    B. 30 X 36   about $30

Ramp for loading and unloading the large and difficult pig.

Easy to build from 1/2 inch plywood and weighs enough to make you grumble and maybe cuss but I can move it around daily loading and unloading

This one is 18" wide by 4 feet long and the bottom is covered with carpet for good non slip footing. One end has a swivel base that makes it secure and it can't just slide off the end of the bumper. The same result can be had by adding a small trim board to the base at the end to make a lip.

I use mine to load  into the trailer shown and also to load into the back or side doors of my Astro van.   Once they start into the chute I get behind them with my pusher board and they have no place to go but up the ramp. Saves a lot of lifting and stress with pigs who refuse to go and for a post surgical patient, prevents damage to stitches that can be caused by lifting. And if one is devilishly difficult it is perfectly safe to use the Lana Bucket method of putting a feed bucket over their head (Or a blanket) and walking them backward up the ramp.

Cost to build   $125

Bed warmers   

So warm and comfy, especially for the old, the young and the arthritic

Note: Always make sure the bed area has enough space so the pig can sleep off of the warmer if he chooses. this is only a machine.. it can fail to operate correctly and overheat.. don't take the chance that your piggy will get overheated or go out of his house to sleep in a cold rain because his bed is uncomfortably hot.  We had one that ran so hot it actually hurt the pig.. don't take chances.. leave plenty of space or mount on the wall for area heating instead of under him.

Stanfield heaters are the best I have used by far. More costly and requiring a controller they seem like an awfully big expense but after I replaced regular Lectro-Kennels every year I realized that I was throwing money away that could have bought a good one that would last for many many years.

 These heaters are designed for the swine industry and are virtually indestructible. They are rigid fiberglass with the heating element formed inside.  They are safe, can stand  dampness  and abuse and are easy to wash off with a hose. 

They need the controller to regulate the temperature and prevent overheating.

We now have special pricing on all heaters from the Reptile Source.  You will need to tell Jeff when you order that you are ordering through Shepherd's Green Pig Sanctuary

These are 2004 prices.. they may have increased since then. Ask.

Some of these sizes are also available from E-NAsco .    E-nasco also carries multiple heat pad controllers as well if you are running several in one area.

 www.enasco.com/prod/Home     or phone    1-800-558-9595

   also available at Jeffers at www. jefferslivestock.com

Controllers   (operate up to 4 heaters)

Easy Feeder    Feeding syringes.. so much easier than regular syringes for feeding a sick pig or getting meds into him.

2pack is $2.69        www.jefferspet.com      1-800-533-3377

This is also the best site I have found for buying medical supplies.