How to Put a Ring in a Pig's Nose

Farmers often have to put a nose ring into their pigs' snouts to prevent them from rooting out of their pens. It is a natural instinct for pigs to root around in the soil; they do this to create a cool place to lay or to forage for insects and grubs. Often, this natural instinct must be halted; pigs can root around so much inside the pen that they destroy the fencing and escape, causing them to wander onto country roads or into a neighboring farmyard.

Things You'll Need

  • Hog squeeze shoot or catchpole
  • Nose ring
  • Nose ring pliers
  • Antibiotic cream
  • Blood stop powder
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Instructions

    • 1

      Restrain your pig by chasing it into a hog shoot or by using a catch pole in its mouth and around its jaw. You will need an assistant to help you with the restraint.

    • 2

      Place the nose ring into the groove on the open nose ring pliers.

    • 3

      Add a bit of antibiotic cream to the tips of each side of the nose ring. This will help prevent infection.

    • 4

      Grip the handle of the nose ring pliers firmly but not enough to bend the nose ring out of shape.

    • 5

      Position the nose ring on the outside nostril area on both sides of the nose. Do not place the nose ring in the cartilage in between the nostrils.

    • 6

      Squeeze the nose ring pliers quickly and firmly. The points in the nose ring will meet in the middle.

    • 7

      Release the nose ring pliers. If the snout is bleeding, place some blood stop powder on the snout and then release the pig.