6 Best Livestock Weighing Crates For Pigs for Small Farms

You can’t manage what you don’t measure, and nowhere is that truer than with pigs. Knowing a pig’s exact weight isn’t just for bragging rights; it’s crucial for calculating feed rations, administering medication correctly, and timing your trip to the processor. An accurate scale is one of the most important tools for turning a hobby into a successful small-scale enterprise.

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Key Features in a Small Farm Pig Weigh Crate

The first thing you’ll notice is the material. Most crates are either steel or aluminum. Steel is the traditional choice—it’s tough, heavy, and can take a beating from a 250-pound hog. However, unless it’s powder-coated or galvanized, it will rust. Aluminum is lighter and won’t rust, but it comes at a higher price and can dent more easily.

Look closely at the scale mechanism and the floor. A digital scale with a "hold" feature is a lifesaver, as it locks in the weight even when the pig is dancing around. A non-slip floor, like diamond plate or a rubber mat, is non-negotiable for preventing injuries to both you and the animal. You want the pig to walk in confidently, not skate on a slick surface.

Finally, consider the gates and overall portability. Gates on both ends make for a much smoother flow; you can encourage a pig to walk straight through rather than having to back it out. For a small farm where you might be weighing animals in different locations, wheels on one end or a lightweight design can be the difference between a one-person job and needing to call a neighbor for help.

Tarter Farm & Ranch Hog Scale: A Durable Choice

The Tarter scale is a classic for a reason. It’s a heavy-duty, all-steel workhorse designed to last for decades, not just a few seasons. This is the kind of equipment you buy once and pass down. Its sheer weight gives it a stability that lighter models can’t match, which is reassuring when you’re dealing with a strong, stubborn hog.

Its features are straightforward and practical. The diamond-tread plate floor provides excellent traction, and the spring-loaded latches are easy to operate even with gloves on. Many models come with a simple, reliable mechanical scale that requires no batteries or power source. That’s a huge advantage when your weighing spot is at the far end of the pasture, away from any outlets.

The main tradeoff with the Tarter is its lack of portability. This is not a scale you’ll be tossing in the back of a pickup truck by yourself. It’s best suited for a permanent or semi-permanent location near your main pig pens. If you have a tractor with a front-end loader, moving it is no problem, but for those without heavy equipment, you’ll want to pick a spot and leave it there.

Behlen Country Hog Crate: Versatility for Farrowing

Behlen Country often approaches equipment from a multi-use perspective, which is a huge benefit for small farms with limited space and budgets. While not sold as a dedicated scale, their farrowing crates or hog handling chutes are perfectly suited for weighing. You can place a set of load bars or a platform scale underneath the crate, giving you two pieces of equipment in one.

The construction is typically heavy-gauge steel with a durable powder-coat finish, standing up well to the elements. The key feature is often the adjustable side panels. This allows the crate to be narrowed for smaller weaner pigs and widened as they grow, preventing them from turning around and making the weighing process much less stressful.

This approach does require an extra purchase—the scale itself. However, the cost savings of buying one crate for multiple jobs (farrowing, sorting, weighing, and treatments) can easily justify the separate purchase of a scale platform. It’s a smart way to maximize the utility of every piece of equipment on your farm.

Lakeland AG-800 Digital Hog Scale for Accuracy

If you’re focused on tracking feed conversion ratios and hitting precise market weights, the Lakeland AG-800 is built for accuracy. This is a dedicated digital scale system that gives you fast, reliable readings. There’s no guesswork involved in reading a swinging needle; the number is right there on the screen.

The best feature of a digital system like this is the motion-filtering technology and the "lock-on" or "hold" function. The scale’s computer averages the weight of the moving animal and locks in a steady number, which is a game-changer compared to trying to read a bouncing analog dial. The low-profile platform also makes it easier to get pigs to enter the crate without hesitation.

Of course, with technology comes a reliance on power. You’ll need to keep batteries charged or have access to an outlet. Digital scales are also more sensitive to the rough-and-tumble environment of a farm. A hard knock or prolonged exposure to moisture can damage the electronics in a way that a simple mechanical scale would just shrug off. It’s a classic trade-off: precision and convenience for rugged simplicity.

Country Tuff Portable Aluminum Weigh Crate

The name says it all. The biggest advantage of the Country Tuff crate is its lightweight aluminum construction. For a farmer working alone or needing to move a scale between different pastures, this is a massive benefit. You can often move it by hand or with a dolly, no tractor required.

Aluminum’s other major selling point is that it will not rust. Pig pens are wet, muddy environments, and steel equipment inevitably succumbs to corrosion. An aluminum crate will look and function just as well in five years as it does on day one, with minimal maintenance.

The compromise is in the cost and ruggedness. Aluminum is more expensive than steel, so expect to pay a premium for the lightweight and rust-proof benefits. While strong, it is also a softer metal than steel and can be more susceptible to dents and bending if a particularly large and unruly hog decides to slam against the sides.

Sioux Steel Hog Crate: A Heavy-Duty Option

When your top priority is containment and durability, Sioux Steel delivers. This is heavy-gauge steel equipment built to withstand the abuse of large, powerful animals year after year. The frame is often welded solid, providing a level of rigidity that bolt-together kits can’t match. You won’t see this crate flexing or wobbling, even with a finisher hog inside.

Sioux Steel pays attention to the small details that matter for animal safety and handler convenience. Look for smooth interior surfaces without sharp edges that could cause injury, and heavy-duty, positive-locking gate latches that a clever pig can’t nudge open. Despite their weight, many models incorporate wheels on one end, making it possible for one person to tilt and roll the crate into position on level ground.

This is not the scale for someone raising a couple of small-breed pigs. The heavy-duty construction is overkill and makes it cumbersome for small-scale needs. But if you’re raising larger breeds like Yorkshires or Durocs and need absolute confidence that your equipment will hold up, the Sioux Steel crate is a sound investment in safety and longevity.

Weaver Livestock Portable Scale: Lightweight Design

Weaver Livestock excels at creating equipment for the show circuit, and that focus on portability translates perfectly to small farm use. Their scales often feature a modular design: a digital scale platform with lightweight aluminum side panels that can be quickly assembled and disassembled without tools. This is a fantastic solution for farmers with limited storage space.

The primary benefit is its incredible ease of transport and storage. You can break the entire unit down in minutes, load it into an SUV or truck bed, and hang the panels on a barn wall when not in use. This modularity also allows you to use the platform scale by itself for weighing feed bags or other items, adding to its versatility.

The trade-off for this supreme portability is a less-fortified feel than a fully welded crate. While perfectly adequate for most pigs, a particularly wild or agitated animal might make you wish for a heavier, more solid enclosure. It’s a system that prioritizes convenience, portability, and storage over the fortress-like security of a heavy steel crate.

Calibrating Your Livestock Scale for Accuracy

A scale is only as good as its last calibration. Don’t assume it’s accurate right out of the box or after sitting all winter. Moving the scale, temperature fluctuations, and general wear and tear can all throw off its accuracy. An uncalibrated scale is worse than no scale at all because it gives you false confidence.

You don’t need a set of certified weights to get the job done. A simple and effective method is to use your own body weight and a bag of feed. First, weigh yourself and write it down. Then, pick up a 50-pound bag of feed and weigh yourself again. The difference should be exactly 50 pounds. If it’s off by more than a pound or two, it’s time to adjust it according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Make calibration a regular habit. Check it at the start of each season and any time you move the scale to a new location. Accurate weights are essential for calculating medication dosages, where a small error can have serious consequences. Taking five minutes to verify your scale’s accuracy is one of the most important parts of responsible animal husbandry.

Ultimately, the best pig scale isn’t the most expensive or the heaviest; it’s the one that fits your farm’s unique workflow. Consider how many pigs you’re raising, how often you’ll need to move the scale, and what you’re trying to measure. Choosing the right tool for your specific job will save you time, money, and a lot of frustration in the long run.