Taiwan's 6.5 million pigs are a source of river pollution. But one Taiwanese farmer has found that potty training is porkers goes a long way in both conserving water and keeping it clean. He's trained his hogs to use a litter box, and has had such great results that he's starting to advocate the practice to other farmers.
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.
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