Potty-Trained Pigs – Solution to Farming Pollution?
Livestock waste is a major source of pollution, draining from farms into waterways and contaminating water sources. But what are farmers to do – train their pigs to relieve themselves in litter boxes?
It sounds crazy, but that’s exactly what one Taiwanese farmer did with his hogs, and he’s advocating that others do the same.
From Treehugger:
Earth Times reports that Chang Chung-tou, owner of Shantung Animal Husbandry Farm in Yunlin county, started training his hogs 6 years ago after neighbors complained about the stench and pollution coming from the pig waste. He set up small litter boxes – about 4 meters by 6 meters for every 40 pigs – and trains them while young to use them.
The litter boxes have wire mesh so the urine seeps through, and the fecal matter is vacuumed by a special machine so the area is kept waste-free. The farmer has realized a 50% savings in water use. But possibly even more importantly, the success of his efforts has not only helped him avoid fines for pollution by environmental authorities, but the authorities are encouraging other farmers to follow his lead and start training their own piglets.
Hey, pigs are at least as smart as dogs – and despite their reputation, they actually prefer being in a clean and sanitary environment. Using this method, their waste won’t go to – well – waste. Once collected, it can be used as fertilizer, to produce biogas, or even as fish and pigeon feed (eww) after special treatment.
Considering that livestock waste is one of the major causes of the disturbing Gulf of Mexico dead zone, where extremely low oxygen levels can’t support life, this sort of training could be a major breakthrough. Perhaps it will be among the newest (and weirdest) green jobs: pig potty trainers!
Link Treehugger
Photo: The Pug Father
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- Hell Freezes Over, Pigs Fly and Bill O’Reilly Argues that Global Warming is Real
- Dirty Industries Seek Free Pollution Credits from Government
This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 16th, 2009 at 11:00 am and is filed under Consciousness, Green Living, Health, Science, Spirituality. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
